The Comprehensive Airbnb Chore List Every Host Needs

A simple chore list can make or break your Airbnb. Learn what to do before, during, and after every stay to deliver consistent 5-star experiences.

The Comprehensive Airbnb Chore List Every Host Needs

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Key Takeaways:

• An Airbnb chore list helps hosts to deliver a hotel-quality experience consistently while maintaining the comfort of home and personal feel.
• Airbnb chores aren’t restricted to cleaning and restocking before check-in and there are maintenance requests and post-departure follow-ups to consider too.  
• Property management software can help automate many of the chores, ensure consistency, and save hosts’ valuable time.

In the bustling world of short-term rentals, the details make all the difference. Crafting the perfect Airbnb chore list is one of the most effective strategies to ensure guests have a memorable stay and leave those coveted 5-star reviews. 

Here’s why you need a comprehensive chores list and what to include. From before check-in to after checkout, there are several opportunities to impress your guest with your attention to detail.

Why is a Chore List Essential for Airbnb Hosts?

The expectations of Airbnb guests are high and a chore list, often overlooked, plays a pivotal role in helping hosts prepare their entire place to exceed these expectations. Here’s how:

Enhances guest experience and satisfaction

Airbnb users typically seek the comfort of home with the professionalism of a hotel. A well-maintained kitchen or dining area, for instance, can make guests feel right at home. 

Chore lists help hosts ensure that every nook and cranny of their property is in top shape, from ensuring it meets professional cleaning standards to restocking essential supplies. This attention to detail not only enhances the guest experience but also justifies charging cleaning fees, as guests can visibly see the value they’re getting.

Attracts positive reviews and ratings

Reviews are the currency of Airbnb. A single bad review commenting about cleanliness can discourage other travelers from booking your place. By adhering to a comprehensive chore list, many Airbnb hosts can ensure that all checkout tasks, from cleaning to providing clear checkout instructions, are executed flawlessly. This meticulous approach minimizes the chances of receiving a bad review.

Streamlines property management tasks and reduces oversight

Juggling the myriad responsibilities of being an Airbnb host can be daunting. From managing bookings to crafting a message to a strange response from a guest after checkout, the list is endless. A chore list acts as a guiding light, ensuring that essential tasks, especially cleaning tasks, are never missed. This not only simplifies the host’s duties but also guarantees a seamless experience for the guest.

The Comprehensive Airbnb Chore List

Before guest arrival: setting the stage for a memorable stay

• Deep clean and sanitize: Ensure every surface, from countertops to doorknobs, is cleaned and sanitized to provide a safe and welcoming environment. Clean counters in particular are important to ensure safe food preparation. 
• Restock essentials: From bathroom essentials to spices in the kitchen, check and replenish supplies to ensure guests have everything they need. Guests often prefer an Airbnb over a hotel as they want the ability to prepare home-cooked food to reduce costs and calories. As such, they’ll appreciate cooking necessities like sugar, salt, and cooking oil (and if they do want to order Chinese food, these will be welcomed too).
• Appliance check: Run a quick check on all appliances, from the coffee maker to the air conditioner to the dishwasher, ensuring they’re in perfect working condition. Regular checks of appliances are key to preventing mid-stay issues. 
• Climate control: Adjust the thermostat to ensure the space is at a comfortable temperature, offering a warm welcome or a cool retreat depending on the season.
• Welcome touches: Prepare a thoughtful welcome package or guide, providing guests with local tips, house rules, and any other pertinent information.

During the guest’s stay: ensuring continuous comfort

• Optional cleaning services: For guests staying longer, offer periodic cleaning services to maintain a tidy space. You can use your cleaning fees to cover this or charge an additional cleaning fee, which you communicate clearly upfront. 
• Availability for maintenance: Be on standby for any maintenance or repair issues, ensuring guests have a hassle-free stay.
• Regular check-ins: Touch base with guests occasionally, ensuring they’re comfortable and addressing any concerns promptly.

After guest departure: resetting for the next guest

• Post-stay clean-up: Conduct a thorough cleaning and sanitization of the property, ensuring it’s ready for the next guest. Sweep floors, dust surfaces, strip beds, and wash dishes that guests might have left in the sink. 
• Damage inspection: Walk through the property to check for any damages or missing items, making note of anything that needs attention.
• Laundry duties: Wash, dry, and replace all bed linen and towels, ensuring fresh bedding and towels for the next guest. Be prepared that this is one of the most time-consuming chores as you’ll likely have more than one load of laundry. 

Review and refine: Take a moment to review the chore list, updating it based on any feedback received or tasks that might have been missed. This extra step will ensure continuous improvement in your hosting routine.

Incorporating Technology Into Your Chore Management

Relying solely on manual methods to manage chores can be both time-consuming and prone to errors. As the short-term rental industry grows more competitive, hosts and property managers are turning to technology to streamline their operations and enhance guest experiences. One such advancement that’s become the standard in the industry is property management software, like iGMS.

iGMS stands at the forefront of property management solutions because it’s designed specifically for the unique needs of short-term rental hosts. Our software offers a suite of tools that simplify various aspects of property management, from booking management to guest communication. But where it truly shines is in its ability to manage and automate chores.

The iGMS advantage

One of the standout features of iGMS is its task automation capabilities. Instead of manually creating and tracking chores, hosts can set up automated tasks and reminders. Whether it’s a reminder to restock toiletries or a prompt to check the working condition of appliances, automation ensures that tasks are scheduled and executed on time. This not only saves valuable time, but also reduces the chances of human error.

With technology like iGMS, hosts can also create standardized chore lists that are applied to every booking. This way, they can ensure consistency, crucial for maintaining a high standard of guest experience. Every guest, regardless of when they book or which property they choose, will receive the same high level of service and attention to detail. Moreover, with real-time tracking and updates, hosts can easily monitor the completion of tasks, ensuring that nothing is overlooked.

In addition to its impressive cleaning and team management capabilities, you’ll also get access to other key features such as:

• A channel manager to centralize your operations and effortlessly manage multiple listings across leading platforms
• Automated messaging equipped with customizable templates for consistent and timely communication
• Payment processing to simplify financial transactions and invoicing 
• A direct booking management toolset to optimize direct guest bookings
• PROtrack, a feature offering real-time tracking and insights designed to give you a competitive edge in the market 

By integrating iGMS into your property management routine, you’re not just adopting a tool.  You’re embracing a solution that promises to elevate the guest experience, garner positive reviews, and simplify the often complex world of Airbnb hosting.

FAQs

Are Airbnb hosts allowed to require guests to complete chores before checkout?

Yes, many hosts charge a cleaning fee while also expecting guests to complete certain tasks. That said, it should be within limits. It’s mostly restricted to washing dishes they’ve used during their stay, stripping beds, and following basic checkout instructions like leaving the key in the lockbox. 

How detailed should checkout instructions be?

It should be short and limited to essentials. If a guest needs more than a few minutes to complete it or has to wonder if it shouldn’t be covered by the cleaning fee, it’s best to leave it out. 

Should Airbnb hosts charge a cleaning fee?

Charging cleaning fees is often a controversial topic. It ultimately depends on your costs and goals. That said, it’s a common and acceptable strategy and most guests are happy to pay, as long as it’s not a hefty cleaning fee.