Are you planning to put your apartment up for rent on Airbnb very soon, but wondering where to start? To ensure the satisfaction of your travelers and avoid any problems during the rental, here's our checklist for preparing your Airbnb apartment so that everything is perfect for the big day!
Steps to prepare an Airbnb apartment
Here's how to make sure your apartment is ready before an Airbnb rental.
1. Thoroughly clean apartment and change linens
The cleanliness of the accommodation is crucial for short-term rentals. So it's important not to neglect cleaning, and to review every room (kitchen, living room, bathroom, bedroom, and even the outside if you have a balcony/garden).
Your apartment/house should be impeccably clean and tidy to provide a pleasant environment for your guests. You should also make beds with clean sheets and provide towels and bathroom linen.
The task list for cleaning and tidiness includes :
- Cleaning floors
- Dusting surfaces
- Cleaning worktops, tables and bathroom furniture
- Washing dishes and leaving kitchen appliances clean
- Storing personal belongings
- Emptying waste garbage cans
2. Protect valuable personal belongings
Although the Airbnb platform relies on mutual trust between hosts and travelers, it's impossible to completely eliminate risk. To prevent any possible loss or theft, we recommend securing valuable personal belongings such as jewelry, watches, computers and electronic devices.
Ideally, place them in a locked room, such as a bedroom or cellar.
In addition, be sure to lock some of your cupboards containing items or information you prefer to keep private. You can also leave a note saying "Please do not touch" or "Do not open" to discourage travelers from rummaging through your belongings.
3. Make room for Airbnb travelers' belongings
Since your guests will be staying in your Airbnb apartment for a few days or even a few weeks, it's important to offer them some space to store their personal belongings:
- Leave some free space in your closets or dressers, as well as a few empty hangers in your closet.
- Free up space in your kitchen cupboards to allow travelers to store their food shopping.
- Make sure you reserve as much space as possible in your refrigerator so that tenants can store their fresh food.
4. Providing consumer goods for travelers
Travelers don't always have the opportunity to pack all the essentials they need in their luggage. In order to best prepare your Airbnb apartment, it's a good idea to provide them with some essential products for their stay.
Here is a list of essential items:
- Soap and shampoo
- Toilet paper and paper towels
- Garbage bags
- Clean tea towels
- Dishwashing liquid and sponge
- Dishwasher tablets (if available)
- Household cleaning products
- Oil
- Salt and pepper
- Sugar
- Coffee pods or filters depending on type of machine
5. Check accommodation security features
Before your future travelers arrive, be sure to check several aspects of your home's security:
- Check that the smoke detector is operational.
- Make sure the fire extinguisher is in good working order.
- Check that the front door and windows close properly.
- Post emergency numbers in a visible place.
6. Provide instructions for using your equipment
To make it easier to use the equipment you provide, don't forget to include instructions on how to use it. Equipment may vary from one model to another, so it's important to specify the details.
- Household appliances (coffee makers, dishwashers, washing machines, tumble dryers, etc.)
- Bedding (sofa beds, etc.)
- Heating and air-conditioning systems
- Multimedia appliances (television, games consoles, internet boxes, etc.)
7. Care for plants and leave a note
Depending on the length of your rental, be sure to water your plants before you leave :)
You can also leave a note (in French and English) for your travelers, asking them to take care of your plants and specifying how often they should be watered. With a little luck, your guests will have a green thumb!
8. Leave a welcome booklet
To make your travelers feel welcome, you can send them a welcome booklet in your main room, for example.
Inside, you can welcome them with your favorite address (store, restaurant, panorama) or the nearest means of transport.
Find SmartStay tips on what information to add to your welcome guide for your Airbnb accommodation.
9. Give travellers a little extra attention
To make your travelers happy as soon as they arrive, as a top-notch host you can send them small tokens of appreciation, such as a note, a few chocolates or products from your region. Positive effect guaranteed! Every detail counts, and your guests' satisfaction is priceless!
Don't forget that your travelers will be your best witnesses to the experience of staying in your Airbnb apartment. So don't hesitate to pamper them to ensure positive comments on your listing!
10. Ensure proper key management
Last but not least in this checklist: to prepare your short-term rental business on Airbnb, think ahead and ask your travelers what time they expect to arrive at their destination. This will enable you to organize the reception of your guests and the handover of the keys to the property.
