Each potential tenant expects you to keep the rental home in top shape. After the global health crisis broke out last year, every landlord needed to be extra careful with vacation rental maintenance and cleaning chores. To ensure high rates and good reviews, the first thing to do is know where you should pay extra attention; that’s why we bring you these five mistakes to avoid in your vacation rental space.
- Expecting your client to do the cleaning
Keeping your rental home clean and ready is your responsibility. Assuming your guests will leave your home as you expect them to do is a common misconception about vacation rental maintenance. You can facilitate the process by providing your tenants a set of basic cleaning rules, like washing the dishes, disinfecting the common-area surfaces, and cleaning any spill on the floor. Don’t be afraid to be precise; most potential tenants will understand it’s for the sake of maintaining a tidy, cleaner, and safer place for all to enjoy. You could also ask for a security deposit; it will protect your home from damages or unexpected cleaning costs.
- Last-minute maintenance
One common mistake a homeowner can make is getting through the low season without proper maintenance. When your rental home is vacant for an extended period, you could find your furnishings covered in dust or pests settled into the property—making cleaning a daunting task. An empty home isn’t free of cleaning chores and maintenance. We recommend taking a walk-through and assessing your property’s condition right after the last tenant of the season leaves. If you notice maintenance issues, the right time to attend to them is when your home is unoccupied.
- Forgetting about the yard
When your vacation rental house has a front yard, it may not seem like the top priority, but it is the first thing your tenant will see—and changing the first impression can be difficult. We recommend scheduling your outdoor chores on a calendar to prevent them from becoming overdue. Most gardening and yard duties are seasonal, like lawn cleanup and fence painting. Keeping a garden can be a lot of work, but a neat front yard could make your bookings rise!
- Trying to do it all by yourself
A vacation rental home needs constant maintenance and cleaning. While doing the chores yourself saves money in the short-term, you might get exhausted trying to be the cleaner, technician, and salesman on your property. Even worse, some tasks might need experience and the right equipment to do them correctly. When it comes to cleaning, getting a reliable and professional service for your vacation rental’s needs will ensure a safe and disinfected environment—and positive reviews and ratings!
- Not going the extra mile
The best way to keep vacancy at a minimum is by offering your potential tenants something above other rentals in the area. Your guest can fall in love with your home due to a ventless fireplace, a bathtub, or even a small welcome gift. When your guests move out with happy memories, it means you have ensured a successful and profitable rental home.
We are sure you’ll learn from these five mistakes vacation rental owners make. If you need some help with your cleaning, Rite Touch Maids is happy to help! We have experience with VRBO, AIRBNB, and any other type of vacation rental. Be sure to visit our website and get your quote.
by: 
