Becoming an Airbnb host is equivalent to entering the hospitality industry, which means that you need to provide superior services and experiences to guests in order to stand out from the competition, generate bookings, make renters happy, and get 5-star reviews.
Offering a simple place with just the basic requirements of a short term rental space is not enough for the success of an Airbnb business. The most efficient way to ensure that you exceed guest expectations each and every time is to get a hold of a comprehensive Airbnb host checklist that you follow diligently with each reservation.
What an Airbnb Host Checklist Is
An Airbnb host checklist is a comprehensive list of absolutely everything that a vacation rental home owner needs to provide and offer for the comfortable stay and the 5-star experience of their guests.
This itemized Airbnb host checklist is broadly divided into three parts:
- The things and amenities that you need to prepare and come up with in order to get your property ready for welcoming guests and being listed for renting.
- The replenishable supplies and items that you have to restock between stays.
- The steps that you need to follow during check-out.
Generally speaking, this checklist contains a diverse range of items including but not limited to furniture pieces, decoration items, basic and extraordinary Airbnb amenities, and essential supplies and consumables.
Of course, the exact checklist for each Airbnb listing varies somewhat, based on the property type, the market standards, the target guest requirements, the nightly rate, and the provided experiences. Having said that, there are certain things that each short term rental needs to offer for satisfied guests and stunning reviews.
How Airbnb Hosts Should Prepare to Receive Guests
First on a reliable Airbnb host checklist are all the things that the owner needs to take care of before even listing their property for renting. These are the basics that guarantee the smooth operations of your business, the comfort and safety of your guests, and - ultimately - your profit and success.
Start with Interior Design and Furnishing
The main difference between renting out on a long term and short term basis is that with the latter, you have to offer a fully furnished property that provides everything required for a comfortable stay and a relaxing sleep. Moreover, the best Airbnb rentals have fully furnished kitchens, fully equipped bathrooms, and even cozy dining spaces.
Furnishing a vacation rental is different from furnishing your own home. That’s why it’s often recommended to work with one of the best Airbnb design and furnishing companies that can professionally prepare your rental in line with hospitality standards and local market trends.
When working on the interior design and furnishing of your Airbnb, you should not forget about amenities too. After all, all short term rentals offer the basic necessities, so amenities are your opportunity to rise above the competition and accelerate the success of your business.
Don’t Forget Decor
While furnishing your rental is a must, providing appropriate decorations is equally important. Decorating your home is your chance to differentiate your property from comps, to give your space a unique feel, and to create the right environment that you want your guests to enjoy. At the same time, make sure that you don’t clutter the space with too many decor items that bring a sense of litter and chaos.
Once again, a professional designer can help you decorate your property in the optimal way for the best guest experiences.
Focus on Safety
Local regulations across the US market impose a number of safety items that need to be available at each short term rental. These include things such as fire alarms, smoke detectors, carbon monoxide detectors, and fire extinguishers. These items are an absolute must to guarantee the safety and security of your guests and your property.
In many cases, especially in areas with high crime rates, it’s a good idea to install a home security system with cameras and alarms so long as it doesn’t violate the privacy of your guests, as stipulated by the Airbnb hosting rules.
Moreover, it makes sense to make your rental a smart home as this will facilitate the management of your property and optimize its operations. The best Airbnb smart locks allow for remote check-ins and check-outs. Smart thermostats and smart lighting help you achieve the optimal temperature and level of light in an easy manner.
Obtain Necessary Licenses and Permits
Before being able to list your Airbnb, you also need to make sure that you have all short term rental permits and licenses that are needed to operate legally. This means checking out state, county, and city regulations and requirements.
It also means having the right setup to start paying transient occupancy tax (TOT), lodging tax, rental income tax, sales tax, and all other taxes that might apply to your specific situation.
Get Airbnb Insurance
Protecting your property against damage and yourself against liability as a host should also be on your prepping checklist. This is done by getting a short term rental insurance policy. A standard homeowners insurance does not cover damage and legal and medical expenses that occur as a result of your property being rented out on a short term basis. That’s why you need to have the best insurance for Airbnb.
Take Professional Photos
Once your property has been prepared for guests, it’s time to take high-quality photos of the exterior and the interior. It’s recommended to hire a professional photographer who specializes in real estate in order to focus on the best angles of your property, highlight the most important features and amenities, and get the right light. Having your rental perfectly prepared for guests is worth nothing unless potential guests can see this in your Airbnb listing photos.
Create an Optimized Listing
The next item on your checklist is to list your space on Airbnb and other best short term rental websites. For this purpose, you need to come up with a catchy listing title, an attractive, detailed, and truthful listing description, and a comprehensive list of available amenities.
You should use the right keywords for your market and for the experiences that you offer to guests. The enchanting photos that you have already taken will also play a major role in improving the ranking of your listing.
Introduce Dynamic Pricing
As soon as you start listing on Airbnb and other platforms, you should apply a dynamic vacation rental pricing strategy. This means that your daily rates should not be static but should continuously reflect seasonality, local supply and demand factors, weekdays vs weekends, and competitor pricing.
In this way, you can optimize Airbnb rental income during both high season and low season by always striking the right balance between nightly prices and occupancy.
Set Up Professional Cleaning
The final aspect of preparing your property to receive guests is to find a cleaning solution. Professional-level cleaning is the norm in the hospitality industry. Thus, you need to hire a local contractor, work with a professional cleaning company, or get access to an Airbnb cleaning app to have the property cleaned, the linen changed and laundered, and the supplies restocked between guest stays.
What Airbnb Hosts Should Provide for Their Guests
Once you’ve set up your property for welcoming guests and you start receiving your first bookings, there is a list of things that you need to continuously provide to guests to help them have a good time at your property.
Here are the ongoing items that need to be present on every Airbnb host checklist:
Amenities
First of all, you need to supply essential amenities that are expected from every vacation rental. This includes things such as towels, pillows, linen, soap, and toilet paper. The Airbnb platform strongly encourages all hosts to provide these basics and clearly mark them in their listing. After all, the last thing that a traveler wants is to have to pack sheets, towels, and toilet paper for their stay. If that’s the case, they would easily switch to a hotel where all these basics are readily available.
In addition, the best Airbnb hosts provide a range of amenities to make their property stand out from the competition and get more reservations. While these vary by market, some universal top amenities include swimming pools, hot tubs, furnished kitchens, air conditioning and heating, washers and dryers, free parking, TV, and more.
Supplies
To provide guests with the ultimate experience, there is a long list of replenishable supplies that hosts need to provide. They include toiletries (like shampoo, conditioner, and soap), laundry detergent, cleaning supplies, and dishwashing detergent.
Another major category of supplies that need to be restocked between guests include coffee, tea, sugar, and other spices and condiments.
Services
As members of the hospitality community, Airbnb hosts need to offer various services. First and foremost, timely and efficient communication is a must before, during, and after guest stays. This is the only way to catch all potential guests, offer them a smooth experience, and ensure a safe check-out.
Additionally, vacation rental property investors have to make sure that their properties are meticulously maintained and professionally cleaned at all times. The best hosts might also add extra services like concierge services, access to local attractions, local area tours, breakfast options, and home cooked meals on their checklist.
Welcome Gift
Finally, no inventory checklist for Airbnb is complete without a welcoming gift for your guests. This can be something as simple as a personalized greeting card and a copy of the property guestbook or as elaborate as a fruit or chocolate gift basket. It depends on your target guest persona, the experiences that you offer, and the level of luxury that your listing promises.
Checklist for Stocking Essential Supplies and Amenities
Next is a detailed Airbnb host checklist breakdown by room and type with links to some of the top choices for vacation rental owners available on the market:
Bathroom Items and Supplies
While every Airbnb has a bathroom, this is the most demanding room to furnish and equip with all necessary supplies.
The must-have bathroom inventory checklist for Airbnb hosts includes:
- Shower or bathtub
- Shower head
- Shower curtain
- Shower curtain liner
- Sink
- Bathroom vanity cabinet
- Bathroom mirror
- Wall mounted makeup mirror
- Toilet
- Waste basket
- Toilet paper holder
- Plunger and brush set
- Towel bars or racks
- Towel rings
- Shampoo, conditioner, and body wash dispensers
- Hand soap dish
- Bathroom rug
- Bath towels (two per guest)
- Hand towels (two per guest)
- Facial towels (two per guest)
- Bathrobes (optional, for a more luxurious experience)
- Disposable slippers
- Sensitive shampoo and conditioner
- Hypoallergenic body wash
- Sensitive skin hand soap
- Sensitive skin body lotion
- Toilet paper
- Facial tissues
- Disposable toothbrushes
- Travel-size toothpaste
- Cotton swabs
- Cotton rounds
- First aid emergency kit
- Bandages
- Thermometer
- Feminine products
- Hairdryer
- Lint roller
While this might look like a long checklist for Airbnb bathrooms, it is important to provide as many supplies as possible so that your guests can travel lightly without sacrificing comfort during their vacation.
Kitchen Supplies and Amenities
A well-furnished and supplied kitchen is a popular amenity on the Airbnb website. Many guests like to have the option to make their own meals to get a taste of local ingredients and to save money on their trip.
The main Airbnb kitchen supply list includes:
- Countertop paper (depending on your kitchen cabinets)
- Kitchen pantry cabinet
- Fridge
- Dishwasher
- Hot plate
- Oven
- Toaster
- Microwave
- Airfryer
- Range hood
- Coffee maker
- Electric water kettle
- Blender
- Hand mixer
- Water cooler dispenser
- Large trash can
- Small trash bin
- Cooking pots and pans
- Baking sheets
- Cooking utensils
- Knives
- Cutting board
- Colander
- Strainers
- Grater
- Mixing bowls
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Vegetable peeler
- Lemon squeezer
- Can opener
- Bottle opener and wine opener
- Food storage containers
- Paper towel holder
- Kitchen towels
- Dish towels
- Oven mitts
- Paper towels
- Napkins
- Sponges
- Dish soap
- Dishwasher pods
- Hand soap
- Disinfecting wipes
- Parchment paper
- Aluminum foil
- Plastic wrap
- Trash bags
- Coffee filters
- Coffee
- Tea
- Sugar packets
- Sweetener packets
- Salt and pepper packets
- Vegetable oil
- Vinegar
- Spice and condiment packets
- Snacks
Bedroom Furniture and Supplies
The bedroom is a really important room in a short term rental property as that’s where guests rest after a busy day in the city or among nature.
The Airbnb host checklist for the bedroom includes:
- Bedframe with headboard
- Durable mattress
- Night stands
- Closet
- Dresser
- Vanity desk
- Bedside lamps
- Fan
- Blinds
- Mattress protector
- Hypoallergenic pillows (two per guest)
- Pillow protectors
- Comforters or duvets
- Fitted sheets
- Comforter covers
- Pillow cases
- Extra blankets
- Clothes hangers
- Alarm clock
- Rug
- TV
- Decor
Of course, you need to multiply the items listed above by the number of bedrooms in your Airbnb property to complete your bedroom checklist. The list might vary slightly in terms of items and sizes depending on the square footage of each bedroom and its purpose (an adult bedroom vs a children bedroom).
Living Room Supplies and Items
Airbnb living rooms are as diverse as it gets, based on the size of the space, the style of the rental, the offered experience, and the target guests. The common between all living rooms is that they have to offer everything that guests need for resting and relaxing after a day of exploring the city, swimming on the beach, or climbing in the mountains.
The Airbnb living room inventory checklist contains:
- Sofa or couch (preferably with a sleeper for extra guests)
- Armchairs or accent chairs
- Coffee table
- End tables
- Bookshelves
- TV stand
- TV
- Fireplace
- Curtain rods
- Curtains
- Rug
- Floor lamps
- Table lamps
- Throw blankets
- Throw pillows
- Throw pillow covers
- Paintings
- Decor items
- Tissues
Dining Room Furniture and Amenities
While not every vacation rental has a dining room, in case it does, this room has to be properly furnished and supplied too.
Following is the list of items that an Airbnb host needs to place in the dining room:
- Dining table
- Dining chairs (4-8, depending on the space)
- Foldable chairs
- Buffet cabinet
- Dinnerware
- Serving bowls and dishes
- Silverware
- Coffee and tea mugs
- Water glasses
- Wine glasses
- Stain-resistant table sheet
- Napkins
- Decor
Laundry Room Amenities and Supplies
Washers and dryers are popular Airbnb amenities, so laundry rooms - where available - need to be properly prepared for guests.
The most essential laundry items on this Airbnb host checklist include:
- Laundry machine
- Dryer
- Iron
- Ironing board
- Vacuum cleaner
- Sensitive skin laundry detergent
- Sensitive skin laundry softener
- Broom and dustpan set
- Floor mop and bucket
- Duster
- Multi-surface cleaner
Home Office Supplies and Amenities
Setting up a home office is a must for hosts who would like to attract business travelers and remote workers.
The checklist for Airbnb home office supplies and amenities covers:
- Office desk
- Office chair
- Laptop stand
- Printer and scanner
- Power strips
- Universal adapter (to host foreign guests)
- Desk lamp
- Printer ink
- Printer paper
- Pens
Backyard and Patio Furniture and Supplies
Some Airbnb properties (like apartments) come with no outdoor space, while others (like single family homes and cabins) come along with ample backyards, patios, and gardens.
The list of outdoor amenities and supplies can be very diverse, typically comprising:
- Swimming pool
- Hot tub
- Lounger chairs
- Sun umbrella
- Sun umbrella base
- Pool towels
- Pool floats
- Pool noodles
- Sunscreen
- Patio furniture
- Patio dining set
- Barbeque or grill
- Grill set
- Charcoal
- Grill cleaner
- Fire pit
- Outdoor space heater
- Slide
- Swing
- EV charger
- Disposable plastic plates
- Disposable plastic cutlery
- Disposable plastic cups
Entertainment and Fun Amenities and Provisions
There are endless options for the gaming and entertainment amenities that Airbnb hosts can provide to guests.
The most popular entertainment and fun amenities include:
- Books
- Magazines
- Bluetooth speaker
- Streaming device and remote
- Netflix or Amazon Prime
- Chess, checkers, and backgammon
- Uno
- Monopoly
- Playing cards
- Other board games
- Puzzles
- Table tennis set
- Foosball table
- Billiard table
- Mini golf
Home Automation and Safety Amenities and Items
Automation and security are crucial aspects of running an Airbnb business, and that’s why the relevant items need to be on the checklist of every property owner.
The necessary smart home and safety supplies for a short term rental business include:
- Smart lock
- Home security system
- Outdoor security cameras
- Smoke detectors and alarms
- Carbon monoxide detectors and alarms
- Fire extinguishers
- Smart thermostat
- Smart lights
- Smart WiFi router
- Noise monitor
- Heating and cooling system
Baby and Child Amenities and Supplies
Short term rental investors who plan to host families with babies and children need to provide additional amenities and supplies that meet the needs and preferences of these guests.
The most important items for baby and child Airbnb amenities and supplies are:
- Baby crib
- Crib mattress
- Changing table
- High chair
- Baby swing
- Baby gym
- Baby and children toys
- Baby and children books
- Crib mattress pad cover
- Baby crib sheets
- Baby blanket
- Baby towel
- Sippy cups
- Baby feeding set
- Baby shampoo and body wash
- Baby laundry detergent
Pet Supplies and Items
Finally, pet-friendly Airbnbs should offer some supplies dedicated to the furry friends of guests so that they can travel with less luggage without hurting the comfort of their pets.
The main airbnb host checklist pet amenities cover:
What Happens When the Guests Leave?
The Airbnb host checklist of duties does not end with the welcoming of guests and making sure that they have access to everything they need for a pleasant stay. It continues during and after check-out too.
Following is a list of the steps that hosts need to take after their guests’ stay:
- Provide clear check-out instructions: Before it’s time for guests to leave, hosts need to send detailed check-out instructions including the final check-out time and the process. Having a smart lock is of indispensable help here as you can have guests check out without your physical presence at the property.
- Follow up in a couple of days: Vacation rental owners should message guests 1-2 days after the check-out date to ask how their stay was and to make sure that they made it back home safely. This will not only show that you care about your guests but will also provide you with much-needed feedback on what you are doing right and what you are doing wrong as a host. You could use this information to further enhance your checklist.
- Ask for a review: In your communication with satisfied guests, you should ask them politely to review your listing and you as a host. Having a lot of 5-star reviews is one of the most important factors in ranking high in Airbnb SEO and in attracting more bookings. You should aim to review guests as well, as an additional stimulus for their review.
- Check up in a few months: Finally, it’s a good idea to contact past guests a couple of months down the road to invite them back to your Airbnb. You can offer them a special discount as repeat customers. Tools can help with automating a lot of the communication related to the time when guests leave and afterwards.
How to Grow Your Airbnb Business
In order to succeed with your short term rental business and continue growing it with the ultimate Airbnb host checklist, you need to resort to some tools and other resources. Otherwise, the work becomes overwhelming, and you might easily drop the ball.
Here are the tools and professionals that can help you grow your Airbnb business:
- Interior design and furnishing: Many hosts resort to hiring a professional interior design and furnishing company that specializes in vacation rentals. They know how to prepare a property in line with the requirements of the hospitality industry while keeping the price at bay via industry-level discounts.
- Dynamic pricing tools: Pricing your short term rental is a must to maximize revenue, but this requires a lot of data collection, analysis, and calculations if done manually. Instead, hosts can use the best Airbnb pricing tools, like Wheelhouse, to automate the process based on seasonality and comps’ performance.
- Vacation rental management tools: If you want to be a DIY Airbnb host, there are multiple tasks that you need to perform on a daily basis to have your property always ready for guests and to serve your guests well. Savvy hosts make use of the best Airbnb management software platforms like Guesty, Hospitable, and Hostaway that can help streamline channel management, automate communication, sync booking calendars, and coordinate team work.
- Cleaning and restocking: You can hire one of the top Airbnb cleaning services to rest assured that your property is always cleaned up to industry standards without your intervention.
- Maintenance and repairs: Unless they have relevant skills and a lot of free time, Airbnb hosts should outsource the property maintenance work and repairs to local vendors.
- Half-service Airbnb management: Investors who need extra help while remaining personally involved in the management of their vacation rental can hire a half-service Airbnb management company like Evolve or RedAwning. They can help with the majority of the most time-consuming tasks, while owners retain control over the management and growth of their Airbnb business.
- Full-service Airbnb management: Hosts who would like to earn passive income from their Airbnb investments can work with one of the best Airbnb management companies that offer full services. Summer, for example, handles everything from getting properties ready and listing them, all the way to revenue management and maintenance for an industry-low fee starting at only 20% of booking revenue excluding cleaning fees.
Bottom Line
While owning and managing a vacation rental property is a challenging and demanding endeavor, it is not mission impossible as long as you have access to the right resources. With our go-to Airbnb host checklist, you’re one step closer to starting your business on the right footing and giving it the boost that it deserves. As long as you follow all the steps outlined above and provide all amenities and supplies included in the list, you’re guaranteed to have happy guests, outstanding reviews, bustling reservations, and optimized revenue.
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