Vacation rental turnover checklist for hosts

A turnover usually has to fit between checkout and the next check-in, often just a few hours. The way to make that work every time is a written checklist done in the same order, whoever does the cleaning. Guests notice the one thing that was missed, not the twenty that weren’t.

Printable checklist

Order of operations

The order matters more than speed. Laundry is the longest task, so it starts first; floors come last so you aren’t walking on them once they’re clean.

1. Walk through and photograph anything broken, damaged or left behind.
2. Strip the beds and start the first load of laundry.
3. Collect trash and recycling from every room.
4. Load or wash the dishes.
5. Dust from the top down: fans, fixtures, shelves, surfaces.
6. Clean the kitchen, then the bathrooms.
7. Make the beds with fresh linens as they come out of the dryer.
8. Restock supplies.
9. Vacuum and mop, ending at the front door.
10. Stage the place and do a final check.

Arrival walk-through

• Photograph any damage, stains or missing items before you touch anything, with the date.
• Check for anything guests left behind and set it aside in one place.
• Open windows or run fans if the place needs airing out.
• Note anything that needs a repair so the host hears about it today, not at the next check-in.

Room by room

Bedrooms

• Fresh sheets and pillowcases on every bed, made the same way each time.
• Check mattress protectors and pillows for stains; swap if needed.
• Dust nightstands, lamps and headboards, and empty the drawers.
• Check under the beds and in closets for left items, and reset hangers.

Bathrooms

• Clean the toilet, shower, tub, sink and mirror.
• Remove hair from drains, the floor and the shower walls.
• Wipe off water spots on faucets and glass.
• Fresh towels, hand towels and bath mats, folded the same way every time.
• Empty the trash and add a new liner.

Kitchen

• Run or put away the dishes, and check that every cabinet has its full set.
• Empty the fridge of guest food, and wipe shelves and handles.
• Clean the microwave, stovetop, oven door and coffee maker (empty the grounds).
• Wipe counters, the sink and the fronts of appliances.
• Empty the trash, recycling and compost, and add new liners.

Living areas

• Fluff and straighten cushions and throws, and check under cushions.
• Dust surfaces, the TV stand and the remotes (then put the remotes back in their spot).
• Wipe light switches, door handles and the front door.
• Clean the inside of sliding glass doors, which show every handprint.

Outdoor and lake gear

• Sweep sand from entries, the patio and the garage.
• Wipe patio furniture and check cushions for sunscreen marks.
• Clean the grill grates and empty the grease tray if the property has a grill.
• Rinse and dry any coolers, pool toys or lake gear the property provides, and put them back.
• Collect pool and beach towels for laundry.

Restock

• Toilet paper, paper towels and tissues.
• Hand soap, dish soap and dishwasher detergent.
• Shampoo, conditioner and body wash, if the listing provides them.
• Trash bags and coffee or other kitchen basics the listing promises.
• Note anything running low so the host can reorder before it runs out.

Final check

• Floors vacuumed and mopped, ending at the door.
• Every room matches the listing photos: furniture, pillows, towels in place.
• Thermostat set where the host wants it. In summer, don’t leave the AC off so the house heat-soaks before arrival.
• Lights off, windows closed and locked, blinds set.
• Door code or lockbox reset if the host uses them.
• Doors locked and a quick photo of the finished place for the host.

Damage and left-behind items

Report damage the same day, with the photos from your arrival walk-through. Booking platforms set deadlines for damage claims, and a dated photo taken before cleaning is the strongest evidence a host can have. For left-behind items, write down what and where, and let the host decide what happens next.