The Only Airbnb Host Checklist You Need (Printable Version Included)

Aug 9th, 2023

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Generally speaking, marketing rentals through multiple channels is a good strategy to set the stage for a fully-booked season. While you may want to shoot for 60 to 70 percent of your bookings via direct options, you don’t want to discount the opportunities present with other booking sites like Airbnb and Vrbo. 

If you want to market your properties on Airbnb or other online travel agencies (OTA’s), you need to prep them for the best chance of success. This Airbnb host checklist will set you on the right track to prepare for the guests that you will welcome into your properties. 

 

Getting Started

Rental managers who are new to the Airbnb platform will have a bit of a learning curve while they upload their properties for available bookings. Getting started is simple, but that doesn’t mean that the process is easy. It will take time and focused energy to get your property listings ready and optimized for people to peruse. 

If you’re also renting properties through direct booking, you’re likely already familiar with these steps. That said, here are a few things that you need to do to get started with Airbnb listings for your properties:

1. Decorate the space with style: The first thing you need to do for your rental property is think of what your guests may need. Anticipate those needs by furnishing and decorating with emphasis on making it beautiful and stylish.

2. Take photos: With all of the hard work of decorating done, you will need to take photos for your listing. Make sure you have good lighting and high-quality images to represent the property well. 

3. Write a title and description: The title of your property is short and sweet, but it’s the first real impression that your guests will have. Likewise, your description really emphasizes what the rental has to offer. You need to sell guests on why your properties are the best fit for their needs. 

4. Set pricing: Look at other comparable properties in your area and try to price in accordance with the market. 

5. Hire a cleaning service: Not only do you need a cleaning service before your first guest, but you also need one in between guests. Look for a team with flexible availability that can come in when you have guests leave before a new set of guests arrives. 

6. Get additional insurance coverage: While Airbnb does include some liability insurance and damage protection, it has some significant limitations and exclusions and may not be enough to fully cover your properties. Consult with your insurance provider about additional coverage if something goes awry during a guest’s stay. 

 

Airbnb Hosting Checklist

With some of the foundational work accomplished, you can turn your attention to stocking the home with items necessary to make your guests completely comfortable.

None of these items are strictly required to provide as an Airbnb host, and we know that a good number of hosts do not provide these items. But if you want your rental to stand out, this Airbnb host checklist can help you procure good ratings from guests after their stay. 

 

Basic Safety Must-Haves

• Smoke and carbon monoxide detectors

• Fire extinguishers in the kitchen

• First aid kit 

 

Bathroom

• 2 bath towels per guest (base this off the maximum number of guests)

• Towel hooks or rack for drying towels

• Plenty of toilet paper

• An assortment of feminine hygiene products

• Quality hair dryer

• Organization in the shower for toiletries

• Toiletries (hand soap, shampoo, conditioner, body wash, toothpaste)

 

Bedroom

• Fresh bed linens and pillows (include extras)

• Fan

• Garbage can

• Tissues

• Bedside tables and lamps

• Alarm clock

• Shelves for clothes storage and clothes hangers

• Safe for valuable items

 

Kitchen

• Assortment of teas and instant coffees

• Tea kettle and coffee pot

• Sugar, salt, and pepper

• Set of dishes including cups, plates, and bowls (2 full sets for each guest)

• Silverware

• Pots and pans

• Plastic containers for leftovers

• Cleaning supplies (dishwashing liquid, all-purpose cleaner, disinfectant, trash bags, broom, and dust pan)

 

Living Room

• Assortment of things to do (books, art supplies, notebooks and pens, board games, movies, etc.)

• Desk or place to work

• Pens and pencils

• Comfortable seating arrangements

 

Amenities

• Washing machine and dryer (and laundry detergent)

• Ability to sign into streaming services (via a smart TV, Roku, etc.)

• Iron and ironing board

• Chargers

• Keyless entry system

• Bluetooth speakers

• Welcome note and property guide

• Wi-Fi

 

Use Ascent For Your Direct Bookings

Airbnb gives property managers access to a wide network of guests who already know and trust the Airbnb name. Since Airbnb manages some of the logistics of renting out vacation properties, such as payment processing, it can be a good platform for those who are just getting started. That said, most Airbnb hosts pay a 3% fee of the booking subtotal. 

Property managers looking to scale their business should aim for 60 to 70+ percent of their business to come through direct bookings. Not only do direct bookings let you keep more of your hard-earned money, they also give you more freedom over how you rent out your vacation properties. 

Ascent Payment Solutions can help property managers collect payment for their rentals directly instead of going through third-parties like Airbnb. Our flexible payment processing system integrates into your payment gateway software and allows guests to pay with a variety of payment methods, including ACH, credit cards, cryptocurrency, and more. Plus, with solutions like AscentZeroCost, we can help you reduce credit card processing fees to almost zero.

Ascent is committed to finding you the correct solution at the lowest cost available with dedicated support every step of the way. We make it easy to start processing direct or with VRBO, switch providers, add gateway services, and more! Contact Ascent today to learn more.