vacation rental mv logo
Book Now

Preparation Steps:

So, you have made the leap and are entering the vacation rental business. Having a properly prepared home will help make your experience better in everyway; less hassles, more income, and satisfied guests.

Preparing a vacation home involves several steps to ensure it’s secure and well-maintained while you’re away. As a bonus, you will get to take care of many tasks that you might have put off. This is similar to planning a party and then having to do a thorough cleaning of your home.
Here are some essential tasks:

  1. Household Tasks:

    • Deep clean your home and provide a blank slate for your tenant.
    • Evaluate any furnishings and appliances and repair or replace.
    • Properly prepare your home by decluttering and removing any valuables. Decluttering is also essential for property photos.
    • Clean out the refrigerator completely except for some bottled water and perhaps a nice bottle of Rose.
    • Remove any liquor
    • Run a mixture of vinegar and water through the garbage disposal to prevent odors.
    • Empty and wash all trash cans. If they are bad, replace them. Buy trash bags that fit them.
    • Set the thermostat to Heating to 70 and Cooling to 72). Put a neat sign saying "Please do not lower temp below 69 degrees"
    • Remove all personal items from closets and dresser drawers. Store in marked boxes for ease in reoccupying your home.
    • In the Kitchen, leave one of each Salt, Pepper, some spices, oil, Vinegar and some condiments and sauces. Leave something but not a clutter.
    • Clear out several cabinets and drawers so that guests will have a place for their groceries.
    • Remove excess utensils, pans, and bowls. No one needs three spatulas. Sharpen knives if needed.
    • Provide a starter of coffee and coffee filters
    • In the kitchen, provide dishwashing detergent for hand and machine, new scrubby sponge, and pump hand soap.
    • For laundry provide detergent and bleach (can already be open)
    • Provide shampoo, conditioner, a new bar of soap in it's wrapper, plenty of paper towels and toilet paper.
    • Make sure you have a good set of grill tools and a newish grill cleaning brush.
    • Make sure you have occupants + 2 place settings. Silverware should match. Glasses and cups. Neat and simple
    • Make sure all appliances are clean and all items listed on your website are present and in good repair, otherwise replace them.
    • Now is the time to use pest repellents to deter rodents and insecticides. Hire Terminex or use their techniques to eliminate spiders and ants.
    • Make sure your bedding, towels, linens and kitchen towels are neat, clean and organized. Provide spares in a closet.
    • Provide plenty of pillow. Use a pillow case and then a pillow slip
    • Make sure your mattress pads are in good condition. Consider a mattress slip on case but make sure it feels natural and not plastic

  2. Business Tasks:

    • Contact your insurance companies. Get a letter stating that they are aware of your plans to rent your home. The term of art is "rented to others". You may need to purchase separate home renting insurance.
    • Provide us and your guests with the name of a person who will be responsible for your property while it is rented
    • Provide the names and phone numbers of Electrician, Plumber, handyman, and cleaner.
    • What is the schedule for trash removal and what is the name and number of the company?

  3. Home Safety Measures:

    • Install a motion-activated floodlight outside. Set the duration to 5 minutes
    • Make sure outside walks and stairs are well-lit - install solar walkway lights
    • Make sure you have a first aid kit - store under kitchen sink or note location in manual
    • Ensure smoke detectors are working. Make sure batteries are fresh
    • Check all faucets to make sure they are not dripping or hard to operate.
    • Check the shower and make sure it is not slippery. If so but a shower mat or stick on flowers

  4. Final Touches:

    • Put out fresh flowers on your kitchen island
    • Select a nice bottle of wine
    • Write a personal note welcoming your guest
    • Use a guest book
    • If you know that guests will arrive late, turn on interior and exterior lights.
    • Put out this week's newspapers and some tourist publications. No real estate ads.

  5. Leaving the home empty for long periods:

    • Consider a whole-house generator to prevent issues during power outages.
    • Arrange for someone to keep an eye on your home.
    • Make your home appear lived-in (timed lights, etc.).
    • Have the post office hold your mail or forward it
    • Turn off water to the interior of the house to prevent leaks.
    • Save on utility bills by adjusting settings.
    • If you live in a cold climate and your house is empty, leave cabinet doors open under sinks to prevent pipes from freezing.
    • In a hot climate leave doors and drawers open and a ceiling fan on low or set your AC to auto circulate every hour
    • Place the water heater on Pilot or “vacation mode.”
    • Consider putting a trickle charge on any car or motorcycle batteries for long trips or disconnect completely
    • Use ultrasonic pest repellents in the garage, sheds and attic to deter rodents.
    • Empty the dishwasher and leave it cracked open (if possible) to allow standing water to evaporate.
    • Turn off icemakers
    • If fridge is empty, place two gallons of water in it to stabilize the temperature swings.
    • Have the post office hold your mail or set up forwarding if you will be away for a long time.
    • Save on utility bills by adjusting settings.