Helpful Housekeeping for Your Short-Term Rental

Vacation rental owners have always understood the value of having clean properties for their guests. In light of the coronavirus, listing websites and guests are requiring an even higher standard for health and safety reasons. Disinfecting your property can be a lot of work, especially when you are also running a business. Constantly washing linens, vacuuming, and sanitizing the fridge may be draining both physically and mentally. To help lighten your load, we at CBIZ Vacation Rental Insurance put together a list of helpful housekeeping tips for before guest arrival, during their stay, and after they depart.

Before Guests Arrive

Make sure to allow the appropriate time in between stays for your vacation rental home to be properly disinfected and wandering germs to vacate. Many listing sites such as VRBO and Airbnb have introduced new cleaning protocols and are requesting hosts to have their properties vacant of guests for at least 24 hours.

It is always smart to conduct a scan of the bedrooms, kitchen, common areas, bathrooms, laundry rooms, and the exterior of the house. Don’t forget to empty drawers as well as clean the oven and microwave. If you supply toiletries such as shampoo, conditioner, and soap, keep tabs on your inventory so you can replenish as needed. Also remember to wipe down the windows for a streak-free view.

To help ease the task of disinfecting your property, we created a cleaning checklist that covers commonly missed areas and helpful mitigation tips. It also contains a COVID-19 cleaning sign that you can display to ensure guests know your property has been properly prepared for their stay.

Keep in mind, one of the biggest factors in your vacation rental rating is having a well-kept and disinfected property. This can also reduce major risks when guests stay. Conducting regular safety checks for any loose railings, burnt out lightbulbs, and exterior damage will help you achieve some peace of mind and lessen your chance of a liability risk. Mention your cleaning process in your listing; potential guests will be interested in what products you use to clean with and your disinfecting process.

During the Stay

Even though guests will be on the premises, there may be items that need to be cleaned throughout their stay. If you have outdoor furniture or a swimming pool, there is always the possibility of storms creating the need to pick up and clear the area of debris. Having a swimming pool or hot tub also means the water will need to be checked and tested in the morning or before the guests take a dip.

Make sure to inform guests the date and hour you will be arriving or you can schedule an agreed-upon time with them. 

After Guests Depart

Consider hiring a professional cleaning company to deep clean after each stay or at least have them come out once a month. Cleaning a vacation rental property takes a lot of time and energy to make sure it is done properly. When running a full-time business, it may be hard to do it all, and a housekeeper or cleaning company will be able to do it quickly and thoroughly. Never forget that your guests expect the same standard of cleaning or better than what they would receive in a hotel.

When searching for a cleaning company, make sure to keep these factors in mind:

• How long has this cleaning service been around?
• Do they bring their own supplies and equipment?
• Do they use green products?
• Are they insured or bonded?
• Do they have a satisfaction guarantee?
• Do they conduct background checks on their employees?

Though hiring out cleaning services can be a wonderful idea, doing it yourself is still an excellent alternative. Either way you should charge a cleaning fee to your guests to cover the costs and time for a tidy home. Cleaning service charges can be figured depending on the location, condition, and size of your home. Communicate with and research cleaning services to determine the average rate per hour and then add on a little extra for any unexpected costs.

Prevent Problems with a Clean Home

By practicing these helpful housekeeping tips, cleaning your short-term rental doesn’t have to be a daunting task. Whether you or a housekeeper is cleaning, make sure to use proper PPE and follow the guidelines of the CDC. To learn more about protecting your vacation rental business 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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