Spring Cleaning: Get Your Vacation Rental Ready for Peak Season

Spring is around the corner! Whether that means busy season for your vacation rental property is about to kick into high gear or is just winding down, it’s never too late (or too soon) to start preparing for your next peak season. Don’t let the idea of a little spring cleaning overwhelm you. Small actions now can help ensure everything goes smoothly for you – and for your renters.

Preparing Your Vacation Rental for Peak Season

First things first, download the Simply Spotless Cleaning Checklist below. Then check your supplies. Do you have everything you need for cleaning and making small repairs? Between back-to-back bookings did you make note of updates or improvements you wanted to do? Add them to your checklist! Now is the time to ensure everything is in working order, refreshed and living up to the standards you set in your listing.

Refresh the Property, Room-by-Room

You have your list and supplies, now go through the property room-by-room. Evaluate the condition of your appliances, fixtures, furniture, household goods, technology and WiFi you make available. If the last high season left plates or glassware with chips or other damage, replace missing items or start fresh with a new set. Similarly, use this time to replace worn or outdated appliances, furnishings and decor.

Be sure to check your linen supply. You want towels and bedding to feel fresh, not used and dated. It will help guest feel more cozy and at home. This is also a good time to stock up on amenities your guests will love you for.

As weather gets nicer, guests will be more apt to sit outside, so don’t forget your outdoor spaces. Shake the winter off your cushions and see if the furniture needs any repairs. Now is also a good time to make plans for landscaping and opening your pool if you have one.

Revitalize Your Vacation Rental Marketing

Giving your property some TLC can help improve its marketability, which can lead to higher rental rates while keeping your booking calendar full. After you refresh your vacation rental property, consider updating and refreshing your marketing efforts.

Look at your online listings, photos, websites, social media accounts, guest guides and other materials. Do they accurately describe your vacation home? Even if you haven’t changed things like furniture, paint or decor, consider taking new pictures anyway. Doing so can make vacationers who may have scrolled past your listing last year take a fresh look.

Consider hiring a professional photographer to get new photos. Have them take a series of standard room shots and art shots around the property. You will be able to use them to update your listings and websites, as well as post throughout the year on social media. The art style shots can even be framed and used as décor unique to your property.

Renew Your Focus on Safety 

Make sure you’ve addressed and corrected any potential safety hazards identified during the room-by-room walk-through. Other safety enhancements should be reviewed on a more regular basis. Smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors should be tested after every stay and batteries changed every six months. Light bulbs should be checked after each stay too. Furnace filters should be changed quarterly. Big appliance checks are okay to do once or twice a year.

This is also a great time to consider making your home “smart” as well as safe. Add devices like keyless door locks that make checking in and out seamless, water leak detection devices like Flo that monitor your plumbing and alert you in case of a leak, and Noiseaware that monitors guests’ noise levels. If you already have these devices, confirm they are in working order.

During this round of spring cleaning did you decide to make an update? Put in that pool you’ve been dreaming about? Anytime you enhance your vacation rental property ­­­you should also ensure you are still protected from all potential risks that can arise from renting it out.

Reevaluate Your Vacation Rental Insurance

You’ve finished all the physical work of cleaning and updating your vacation rental, but don’t skip on the final (most important) item on your checklist - evaluating your vacation rental insurance! Do you have commercial insurance designed to cover damage during and between guest stays, liability protection for you if you are the target of a lawsuit and coverage for rental business income? If not, request a free quote today!.  We can help answer any questions you may have and tailor coverage to meet your needs.

Swing in to spring with a sparkling vacation rental that will be protected during peak season!

This blog may contain scenarios that are provided as examples only. Coverage is subject to the terms, conditions and exclusions of the policy issued. The information provided is general in nature and may be affected by changes in law or the interpretation of such laws. The reader is advised to contact a professional prior to taking any action based upon this information.

The Cost of Vacation Rental Insurance for Your Airbnb & Vrbo Listing CBIZ Vacation Rental Insurance Update on COVID-19 Pandemic