1. Turnover & cleaning

Use a written, room-by-room cleaning checklist your cleaner signs off on every turnover
Strip and wash all bedding and towels every stay; keep at least two full spare sets per bed
Check under beds, couch cushions and in drawers for left-behind items and trash
Wipe high-touch spots: door handles, light switches, remotes, faucets, fridge handle
Empty the fridge, microwave and coffee maker; run and empty the dishwasher
Restock consumables: toilet paper, paper towels, soap, dish pods, trash bags, coffee
Ask the cleaner for timestamped photos of each room when finished
Log damage or broken items right away, with photos, before the next check-in
Keep a locked owner's closet with backup supplies and a simple inventory sheet
Book a deep clean (oven, baseboards, windows, vents) on a regular schedule

2. Guest messaging

Set saved replies for booking confirmation, pre-arrival, check-in day, mid-stay and checkout
Send check-in instructions a few days before arrival, with door code, parking and Wi-Fi
Write a short house manual: rules, quiet hours, trash days, thermostat, appliance tips
Answer inquiries quickly; use scheduled or automated messages so nothing waits overnight
Send a mid-stay check-in asking if anything is needed, and fix small issues fast
Send clear, short checkout instructions (no long chore lists)
Keep all guest communication inside the booking platform for your protection
Have a backup contact who can answer guests when you are unavailable

Review local comparable listings (same size, area and amenities) at least monthly
Set different prices for weekends, weekdays, holidays and local event dates
Use a minimum-night rule that fits your cleaning cost and season
Try last-minute discounts for open nights and early-bird pricing for far-out dates
Offer weekly and monthly discounts if longer stays suit your property
Price your cleaning fee to cover real costs, and check the total guests see at checkout
Consider a dynamic pricing tool, and still sanity-check its suggestions
Know your local lodging and occupancy taxes and how they are collected

Make sure photos and description match the property exactly, so expectations are met
Leave a small welcome touch and a printed note with your best local tips
Fix anything a guest mentions during the stay before they leave
Send a friendly thank-you message after checkout
Review every guest promptly and honestly
Reply politely and briefly to every public review, especially critical ones
Track repeated complaints in a list and fix the root cause
Refresh listing photos after any upgrade or redecorating

Working smoke detectors in every bedroom and on every level; test them each turnover
Carbon monoxide detectors near sleeping areas if there is any fuel-burning appliance or attached garage
A fire extinguisher in the kitchen, with its location in the house manual
A stocked first-aid kit in an easy-to-find spot
Posted emergency info: the property's street address, local emergency number and exits
Secure railings, steps, rugs and outdoor paths; good lighting at entrances
Change smart lock codes for every new guest
Disclose any security cameras as the platform requires; never place them in private spaces
Check your insurance covers short-term rental use
Confirm local permit, zoning and registration rules for your township