Tips for cleaning and maintaining your holiday rental

November 2023

Cleanliness and maintenance are crucial aspects in the world of holiday rentals. It’s not just another task on the list, but a determining factor that can make the difference between the success and failure of your rental. A rental without proper cleaning can trigger a ruined holiday experience for guests, overshadowing any other positive aspect of the trip. On the other hand, for hosts, a lack of cleanliness and maintenance can have serious consequences on their image and reputation in the holiday rental business.

Whether you’re the owner or the manager, cleaning and maintenance should be approached in a methodical and planned manner. It’s ideal to have a structured approach for each task, whether taking on the hard work yourself or relying on a team of professionals.

In the post-pandemic world following COVID-19, the cleaning and disinfection of holiday properties have gained even more relevance in guests’ booking decisions. Safety and hygiene have become key elements in their choice of accommodation.

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What to consider when cleaning your holiday rental?

In the mission to keep your holiday rental clean, it’s essential to take into account a series of key considerations that significantly contribute to your guests’ satisfaction and your reputation as a host.

Common areas, rooms, and bathrooms:

• Common areas: shared spaces like the living room, kitchen, and dining area are vital meeting points for guests. Ensure these spaces are spotless, dust-free, and clutter-free. Furniture and surfaces should be clean and well-organised for a pleasant experience. For a thorough check, consider:

• Throughout the house:

• • Absolute cleanliness.
  • Proper functioning of smoke detectors.
  • Check entrance and room doors.
  • Dust-free air conditioning vents.
  • Secure and clean windows.
  • Evaluate pest control services.
  • Inspect carpets and rugs.

• Kitchen:

• • Clean trash bins with replaced bags.
  • Disinfect cabinets, countertops, tables, and chairs.
  • Oven cleaning.
  • Check the toaster, coffee maker, dishwasher, and microwave.
  • Clean kitchen floor.

• Living room:

• • Televisions, remotes, and other equipment should be dust-free and have charged batteries.
  • Check for objects or trash under furniture, cushions, armchairs, or corners.
  • Clean sills and shelves.
  • Dust removed from blinds, pictures, or ornaments, among others.

• Outdoors:

• • Clean entrance door.
  • Ensure the good condition of the patio or garden if available.
  • If there’s a barbecue, the grill should be clean.

• Garage:

• • Should be kept clean.
  • If the owner has stored items, check their safety.

• Rooms:
  • Bedrooms are personal sanctuaries for your guests. Ensure to:
  • Change sheets and pillowcase covers for an impeccable bed.
  • Vacuum the floor and under the beds.
  • Inspect drawers, closets, under the beds, and behind bed headboards and nightstands to ensure no personal items or trash are left.
  • Take out the trash and clean bins or containers.
  • Dust furniture, ornaments, ceiling fans, blinds, and sills, and clean mirrors.
  • Check that clocks show the correct time and there are available plugs for phone charging.

• Bathrooms:
  • Bathroom cleanliness is of utmost importance. To achieve disinfection and organisation, consider:
  • Clean and disinfect showers, bathtubs, vanity, sinks, and screens.
  • Disinfect toilets in all areas, including inside, outside, under the front part, around the base, and behind.
  • Clean mirrors.
  • Replenish soap and hygiene products.
  • Sweep and clean the bathroom floor.
  • Ensure trash bins are clean.
  • Provide clean towels and a shower mat to offer a hotel-like experience.

Deep and regular cleaning

Deep and regular cleaning is essential to keep your rental in optimal condition. We suggest scheduling regular cleanings between guest stays to ensure the property is always ready for new tenants. This includes the elements we listed above.

Maintaining a high standard of cleanliness in your holiday rental is not only a sign of professionalism but also a determining factor. By following these tips and paying attention to common areas, rooms, and bathrooms, along with deep and regular cleaning, you’ll be on the right path to ensuring your guests have a memorable experience, and your holiday rental business thrives.

How to deduct cleaning expenses from holiday rental costs?

Deducting cleaning expenses in holiday rentals can be an effective way to reduce the tax burden for owners. However, it’s essential to understand how this process works, along with the requirements and necessary documentation to ensure compliance with tax regulations. Below explains how owners can deduct cleaning expenses from their taxes:

Necessary documentation and requirements for deduction:

• Accurate record-keeping: Owners must maintain a complete and accurate record of all expenses related to cleaning. This includes invoices, receipts, contracts with cleaning services, and any other document supporting the incurred expenses.
• Property used for rental: The property must be primarily used for holiday rentals, meaning it should not be used for personal purposes by the owner.
• Necessary and reasonable expenses: Expenses must be related to cleaning and maintaining the property for guest use and must fall within the usual price ranges for cleaning services in the industry.

Examples of deductible cleaning-related expenses:

• Cleaning service fees: Owners can deduct fees paid to professional cleaning services responsible for preparing the property before guests’ arrival and cleaning it after their departure.
• Cleaning products and supplies: Costs associated with the purchase of cleaning products, detergents, vacuum cleaners, brooms, and other supplies used exclusively to keep the property clean and in optimal condition are deductible.
• Laundry: Costs associated with washing bed linens, towels, and other textiles used by guests can be deductible. This includes expenses for washing, drying, and ironing.
• Maintenance of cleaning equipment: If there’s an investment in repairing or maintaining cleaning equipment, such as vacuum cleaners, these costs can be deductible.

We suggest consulting with a tax or accounting professional experienced in holiday rentals to ensure all necessary requirements are met and deductions are maximised.

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