Fall Cleaning: Don’t Spook Your Guests with A Scary Property

Nothing says fall like the sight of leaves on the ground, open windows throughout the property and the smell of pumpkin spice! Whether that means busy season for your vacation rental property or time to wind down, it’s never a bad idea to prepare and deep clean your property for the cooler months. Don’t let the idea of cleaning for the season overwhelm you. Small actions now can help ensure everything goes smoothly for you and your renters.

Preparing Your Vacation Rental Property for the Cooler Seasons

First things first, download the Simply Spotless Cleaning Checklist. 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 and living up to the standards you set in your listing.

Hey! What do you call a cleaning skeleton? The grim sweeper.

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 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 Similarly, use this time to replace worn or outdated appliances, furnishings and decor.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 guests feel cozier and at home. Don’t forget to pull out your seasonal fall décor. We’re not talking about letting the dust and cobwebs around the property become new decorations. The warm-toned pillows, autumn-colored faux floral stems and pumpkins will make your property immediately bring new life to your spaces. This is also a good time to stock up on amenities your guests will love you for.

Don’t forget to refresh your outdoor spaces. As the weather cools down, guests may want to spend their night outdoors sitting next to a fire pit. See if the outdoor furniture needs any repairs. Now is also a good time to make plans for landscaping and closing 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 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 them throughout the year on social media.

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.

We Won’t Spook You — CBIZ 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!

Sleep soundly knowing that your vacation rental business will be protected during the spooky season! To learn more about protecting your property through CBIZ Vacation Rental Insurance, request a free quote today!

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.

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