Airbnb Host Checklist

Airbnb is an online service that allows people to rent their homes to others. Not only does it serve as an alternative to traditional hotels and motels, but it often lets travelers find quality accommodations for less than the cost of a typical hotel stay.

If you’ve never rented your home through Airbnb, you might find it difficult to start your vacation rental business and determine what to offer guests during their stay. Below, we’ve compiled a list of supplies, amenities, and products to help make your vacation rental stand out from the rest.

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Airbnb Checklist

A successful host should go above and beyond to ensure each visitor has everything they need. You don’t have to own a mansion or a million-dollar home to impress your guests during their stay. For this reason, we’ve compiled a list of 10 things every Airbnb host should provide to put their rental property over the top. By adhering to this list, you’ll ensure every guest has a happy, memorable, and comfortable stay.

1. A High-Quality Coffee Maker

It’s safe to assume that many of your guests prefer to start their morning with a cup of coffee. An easy way to make their stay stand out is by investing in a high-quality coffee maker or espresso machine. Additionally, stock your kitchen with premium coffee products, as well as instructions on how to use your coffee maker, to help guests start their morning off on the right foot.

bed linens and mattresses

2. Premium Bed Linens and Mattresses

Catching a good night’s sleep is essential for living a healthy and happy life. Investing in a quality mattress and premium bed linens helps your guests wake up feeling refreshed and ready to tackle the day’s activities. While guests might not spend their days at your property, they’ll always need a place to sleep at the end of the night. Adding a comfortable bed with premium sheets, pillowcases, and blankets is an easy way to improve your property.

3. A Lockbox

Whenever you stay somewhere overnight, it’s important to find a safe place to store your valuable items. Provide your guests with a lockbox to store their wallets, jewelry, and other valuables when they aren't around to watch them. Not only does this provide peace of mind, but it’s an added measure of safety to prevent misplacing items.

4. Access to Streaming Services and a Smart TV

Vacations can be fun and filled with a long list of things to do, but there may come a time during an extended trip when your guests may have some downtime to unwind. Give them a chance to relax and catch up on their favorite movies and shows by providing a smart TV or access to popular streaming services like Netflix or Amazon Prime. If you don’t own a smart TV, purchase an extension, such as Amazon’s Fire TV Stick or Apple TV, to plug into your existing TV and provide similar services.

5. A Fire Pit

If your property has an outdoor area such as a patio, consider purchasing a fire pit. On nights when guests prefer to stay in and relax, a fire pit creates a comfortable outdoor atmosphere. You can take steps to prepare your outdoor area for winter to ensure it's accessible to guests year-round.

6. An Outdoor Grill

Give your guests a chance to cook burgers, steaks, and numerous other foods by providing them with an outdoor grill. Whether they have friends in the area interested in a cookout or just want to take advantage of nice weather, access to a grill is a convenient addition.

exercise equipment

7. Exercise Equipment

It’s difficult to find ways to stay in shape while traveling, so consider providing guests with a variety of workout equipment. This doesn’t mean that you need to create an entire home gym. Stationary bikes, yoga mats, pull-up bars, and other similar products are easy to find and don’t take up an extraordinary amount of space. This allows your guests to exercise without leaving the property cluttered.

8. Travel-Sized Toiletries

Whether your guests are just sleeping at your property overnight or planning an extended stay, it’s safe to assume they won’t use a full bottle of shampoo, or an entire tube of toothpaste. Keeping hotel toiletries on hand is a simple way of ensuring each guest has access to the perfect amount of soap, shampoo, toothpaste, and other similar products. Additionally, offering individually portioned toiletries ensures that guests won’t have to share the same bottle with whoever stayed at your property before them.

9. Pet Friendly

Allowing guests to bring their pets along for their stay is an easy way to make them feel a bit more at home. To make it easier for your guests to pack, consider purchasing pet supplies such as dog bowls, litter boxes, and pet food. It's important to note that if you decide to make your property pet friendly, you should thoroughly clean it before your next scheduled stay to protect against any potential allergies.

10. High-Quality Kitchen Supplies

A well-stocked kitchen with access to quality products is one of the easiest ways to improve your rental property. To leave a positive impression on your guests, consider investing in glassware and dinnerware. Furthermore, while you might not want to leave perishable foods in the fridge for too long, it’s a great idea to keep non-perishable items stocked in the cupboard for quick and convenient use.

super host requirements

Airbnb Host Requirements

Regardless of the size, location, or price of the property, Airbnb has established a set of minimum requirements that every renter must meet. These requirements exist to ensure every guest has a comfortable and reliable stay, as well as to keep hosts prepared for incoming visitors. These guidelines state that the host should offer every guest:

  • Toilet paper
  • Soap
  • One towel per guest
  • One pillow per guest
  • Linens for each bed

Additionally, the company has set in place a variety of guidelines to make sure every Airbnb experience meets its standards. These guidelines ask that every host:

  • Be responsive: Airbnb requires owners to maintain a consistent response rate. To do so, they must respond to reservation and booking requests within 24 hours.
  • Accept reservation requests: To make guests feel welcome, Airbnb prefers that owners accept requests whenever they are available.
  • Avoid cancellations: While there can always be extenuating circumstances, Airbnb takes cancellations seriously. Avoid canceling on guests unless it's absolutely necessary, as their travel plans depend on having a place to stay.
  • Maintain a high overall rating: A high rating indicates to potential guests that they should expect a consistent level of quality throughout their stay. Be sure to read any reviews your guests leave to stay up-to-date on what you're doing well and what can be improved.

For those who are new to the vacation rental business, it may seem challenging to determine what makes your rental stand out to potential guests. With the list above, you'll be able to target specific products and amenities that put your rental property over the top and create a memorable stay for any guests you might host.

By Jason Kurtz
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While these materials don’t eliminate the risk of bed bug infestations, they can help reduce the likelihood of an infestation and make it easier to detect and treat any potential issues. Synthetic Fabrics: Bed bugs are not attracted to synthetic fabrics such as polyester, nylon, and rayon. These materials are less porous and do not provide the same hiding spots and crevices that natural fabrics do. By opting for bedding and furniture made from synthetic fabrics, you can create a less hospitable environment for bed bugs. Vinyl and Plastic: Bed bugs have a difficult time crawling on smooth surfaces, such as vinyl and plastic. These materials are not only easy to clean but also provide fewer hiding places for bed bugs. Consider using vinyl mattress covers, plastic furniture covers, or even vinyl or plastic furniture to discourage bed bug infestations. Metal: Bed bugs have a hard time climbing smooth surfaces, and metal is no exception. Furniture with metal frames, such as beds and chairs, can make it challenging for bed bugs to access hiding spots. Additionally, metal bed frames often have fewer crevices and seams where bed bugs can hide, making them a less attractive option for these pests. Leather: Leather is another material that bed bugs are not particularly fond of. The smooth surface of leather makes it difficult for bed bugs to crawl and hide. Incorporating leather furniture, such as sofas or chairs, into your space can help deter bed bugs from settling in. Hardwood: Bed bugs prefer materials that provide hiding spots and crevices, which is why hardwood is not their preferred choice. Furniture made from hardwood, such as oak or maple, has fewer seams and crevices compared to upholstered furniture, making it less appealing to bed bugs. 3. Have an Action Plan If you suspect the presence of bed bugs in your commercial establishment, it is crucial to have a well-defined action plan in place. By following the steps outlined below, you can effectively address the issue and help prevent the spread of bed bugs to other areas of your property. Notifying Management: As soon as your staff becomes aware of a possible bed bug infestation, they must inform management immediately. This will allow you to take the necessary steps to address the issue promptly and efficiently. Relocating Guests in Affected Rooms: Making every effort to relocate guests in rooms where bed bugs have been observed is crucial. Move them to unaffected rooms or, if necessary, to another accommodation altogether. Documenting Signs of Bed Bugs: Thoroughly document any signs of bed bugs that you come across. This includes noting where and when the bugs were observed, as well as any visible stains or eggs on bedding and furniture. Detailed documentation will be useful when implementing treatment strategies and communicating with pest control professionals. Quarantining Affected Rooms: To prevent the spread of bed bugs, it is essential to quarantine the rooms that may be affected. This includes the rooms where guests were relocated to, as bed bugs can easily hitch a ride on luggage or clothing. By isolating these rooms, you can contain the infestation and prevent it from spreading further. Launder and Inspect Linens: Wash all potentially infested linens, including bedding, towels, and curtains, in hot water and dry them on high heat. Inspect them carefully for any signs of bed bugs before returning them to use. Call in Pest Control Professionals: Contacting a pest control professional is crucial for a thorough assessment of the bed bug issue and the development of an effective treatment strategy. These professionals have the expertise and tools necessary to eradicate bed bugs and prevent future infestations. Follow their recommendations closely to ensure a successful resolution. Implement Preventive Measures: Once the infestation is under control, take steps to prevent future bed bug problems. Encase mattresses and box springs in bed bug-proof covers, repair any cracks or crevices in walls or furniture, and regularly vacuum and clean your establishment. 4. Implement a Traveler Awareness Program Traveler awareness programs can help hospitality businesses prevent bed bug infestations. These programs educate guests about the risks of bed bugs during their travels and provide tips on how to prevent bringing them into their accommodations. By educating your guests about bed bug prevention and providing them with the necessary tools, you can significantly reduce the risk of bed bug incidents. The program will also help boost guests’ confidence in your establishment and can earn positive online reviews. Here's how to implement a traveler awareness program: Develop Educational Materials: Create brochures, pamphlets, or posters that provide information on bed bug prevention. Include details on how to identify bed bugs, what to do if a guest suspects an infestation, and how to prevent bed bugs from spreading. Make sure the materials are easily accessible in common areas such as the lobby, guest rooms, and laundry facilities. Communicate with Guests: Upon check-in, provide guests with information about bed bug prevention and what to do if they suspect an infestation. Include this information in welcome packets or on informational cards placed in guest rooms. Consider adding a section on your website or in email communications that highlights your commitment to bed bug prevention. Establish a Reporting System: Encourage guests to report any suspected bed bug incidents promptly. Provide a dedicated phone number or email address for reporting concerns and ensure that all reports are handled discreetly and professionally. Respond to reports promptly and take appropriate measures to investigate and address the issue. Hotel Bed Bug Prevention FAQ As a hotel owner or manager, it is crucial to prioritize the prevention of bed bugs. These pests can cause significant damage to your reputation and result in costly lawsuits. To help you understand the best practices for preventing bed bugs in your hotel, we have compiled a list of frequently asked questions. Can Bed Bugs Get through Zippers? Unfortunately, bed bugs can easily get in through a zipper thanks to their flat and oval-shaped bodies. Adult bed bugs are approximately the size of an apple seed, while nymphs (young bed bugs) are even smaller. Their bodies are incredibly flexible, allowing them to squeeze through openings as small as the width of a credit card. While they’re designed to close tightly, zippers often have small gaps or spaces between the teeth. These gaps may be barely visible to the naked eye, but they are more than enough for bed bugs to exploit. To prevent bed bugs from infiltrating through zippers, it is essential to take proactive measures. Encasing mattresses and pillows with bed bug-proof covers creates a physical barrier that denies bed bugs access. Can Bed Bugs Bite through Mattress Encasements? Bed bugs can bite through mattress encasements unless the fabric is bite-proof. This means that it should be constructed with a dense weave that is resistant to punctures. Bed bugs have a specialized mouthpart called a proboscis, which they use to pierce the skin and extract blood. Therefore, the fabric of the encasement must be strong enough to withstand these piercing attempts and prevent the bugs from reaching their food source. In addition to its fabric being bite-proof, the mattress encasement must cover the entire mattress or box spring. Bed bugs are notorious for their ability to hide in small cracks and crevices, so leaving any part of the mattress exposed could provide an entry point for these pests. Equally important is the proper installation of the mattress encasement. The encasement must be sealed tightly with no openings, gaps, or tears that bed bugs might escape through. Even the smallest opening can provide an opportunity for these pests to escape the encasement and continue infesting your sleeping area. How Long Do You Leave a Bed Bug Mattress Cover On? To ensure that all bed bugs and their eggs have died, experts recommend leaving the bed bug encasement on for at least one year. This extended period allows for the complete life cycle of the bed bugs to be disrupted and eradicated. Bed bugs go through several stages of development, including egg, nymph, and adult. By leaving the encasement on for a year, you can be confident that any eggs that may have been missed during initial treatment will have hatched and died off. Removing the encasement too soon may result in a re-infestation if any bed bugs or eggs are still present. During the year that you have the bed bug encasement on, it is essential to regularly inspect and monitor for any signs of bed bugs. This includes conducting visual inspections of the mattress and surrounding areas, as well as using bed bug traps or monitors to detect any activity. If you notice any signs of bed bugs, such as live bugs, eggs, or fecal stains, it is recommended to continue using the encasement until you are confident that the infestation has been eliminated. Back to Top Remember, prevention is always better than dealing with a full-blown infestation. By implementing these prevention strategies and training your staff, you can significantly reduce the risk of bed bugs in your hotel and protect your guests' comfort and satisfaction. Knowing that you’re taking extra precautions can attract travelers to your lodging establishment.

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