Vacation Rental Maintenance [Checklist & Tips]

Owning a vacation rental property can be a fun and profitable investment unless you find yourself spending too much extra time and money on repairs and upkeep. Fortunately, you can prevent many expensive problems by sticking to a well-thought-out preventive maintenance checklist for property management. Creating and following a checklist will help you to ensure everything is working properly, from smoke detectors to refrigerators. Use the guide below to develop a vacation rental maintenance plan that works for you.

How to Get Started with Vacation Rental Maintenance

If this is your first rental property or you simply wish to learn more about vacation home maintenance, there are a few steps you can take to identify your needs. Before getting into any of the nitty-gritty details, you need to research other properties in the area and make sure you are prepared to compete on their level.

Check Out the Competition

Take some time to drive around the neighborhood and become familiar with local amenities, as well as any new construction that may have an impact on the success of your property. Conduct online research to find details about other vacation rental properties in the area, particularly any upgrades they have made or special features they offer.

Research Trends

Keep an eye on the news to find out if there are events or trends that can help or hurt you. For example, can you offer the same updates and amenities as other renters? Is there a popular item renters are drawn to that can help you stand out? Is there an upcoming festival or sporting event you can mention during advertising?

Plan for Seasonal Changes

Keep in mind that some seasons are busier for travelers than others, which means you may have dry spells, as well as weeks where you need to clean and perform maintenance as quickly as possible between guests. Preparing for these changes will help you to adjust your vacation rental maintenance services accordingly, and therefore, create an effective year-round plan.

Vacation Rental Maintenance Checklist

Once you’ve ironed out the broader details, it’s time to get down to business. When your maintenance team comes to your rental property, what are your expectations? This is when it becomes crucial to have a detailed vacation rental maintenance checklist so nothing is overlooked. Use the suggestions below to create your list and remember to add any items that may be unique to your property.

Weekly Tasks

After each guest checks out, conduct an inspection and add items to your list as needed. Coordinate with your housekeeping crew to ensure both teams are able to complete their work before the next guests arrive. In fact, many of these items can be assigned to the cleaning crew if they are willing and able to add them to their workload. Just make sure they are compensated appropriately and that they notify you immediately of any problems.

• Check for missing or broken items. Take photos of damaged property to include with your billing statement when charging a guest for repairs.
• Check for other potential problems, such as water damage or plumbing issues, malfunctioning appliances, or pests.
• Check to see if light bulbs need to be replaced.
• Make sure all technology and media are working properly and no parts are missing. For example, are all the remote controls accounted for and can you connect to the wifi?
• Make sure window blinds are in good condition and the cords are not tangled.
• Check for loose or sticky items, like drawers that don’t open properly or screws that need to be tightened on hardware and doorknobs.
• Make sure door and window locks work.
• Replace or refill toiletries and pantry items.

Monthly or Seasonal Tasks

Preventive maintenance will mainly come into play during seasonal or annual checks, so it may be wise to have a separate checklist for these items. Performing these tasks regularly will save you from costly damages in the future, as well as ensure your guests are comfortable during their stay.

• Inspect electrical systems, outlets, etc.
• Conduct a fire safety check, including making sure fire extinguishers, smoke alarms, and carbon monoxide detectors are all functional and that there is a fully stocked first aid kit.
• Refill or restock pantry items that aren’t taken care of during weekly checks, such as salt and pepper shakers.
• Replace batteries in remotes.
• Change filters in air conditioner, ventilation systems, dryer, and furnace.
• Change seasonal decor.
• Check security systems, cameras, locks, alarms, motion sensor lights, etc.
• Clean out rain gutters.
• Gardening/landscaping maintenance.
• Touch up paint or add a new coat.
• Treat for pests.
• Deep clean pool, hot tub, barbecue, and other special features.
• Check for damage to the exterior and roof.
• Repair or replace worn or damaged furniture items.
• Update finish or repair wood floors and clean carpets.
• Double-check plumbing fixtures and appliances for potential problems.
• Check kitchen accessories and replace missing utensils or worn pots and pans, etc.
• Check and replace worn towels, linens, and bedding.
• Check pathways and stairs for damage or safety hazards.
• Check sprinklers during warmer months.
• Trim trees and bushes that are looking shabby or getting too near the building.

Annual Tasks

If you keep up on all the tasks listed above, your annual maintenance should consist mainly of deep cleaning, electrical checkups, and tune-ups on large appliances. It is also a great time to review your previous work and create a plan for the following year.

Vacation Rental Maintenance Services

Many vacation property owners do not live near the homes they rent out, which can make it extremely difficult to oversee and perform cleaning, maintenance, and other management services. Fortunately, there are vacation rental maintenance services available to help you manage your property remotely.

One option is to hire separate companies to handle maintenance and cleaning. You will need to conduct interviews to make sure you are hiring someone who is qualified and trustworthy. You will also need to check in with each of them frequently to stay up-to-date on everything that happens in or on your property.

When managing your property remotely, you will also need to have a local property manager who can be on call in case of emergencies or concerns. This person can also be responsible for supervising the cleaning and maintenance crews and keeping you informed.

Why Do You Need Grand Welcome

Another option when it comes to vacation rental management is to list your property with Grand Welcome, a company that provides comprehensive rental property management services. Grand Welcome can help you make sure that everything on your property is taken care of by a skilled and trusted professional, giving you the peace of mind you need when you can’t be there yourself or are unable to devote full-time hours to the job.

Grand Welcome currently manages vacation rentals in Hawaii, California, Idaho, and Colorado. Our goal is to create an environment of luxury while promoting a sense of adventure for those who visit our vacation home rental properties.

When you list your property with Grand Welcome, you can easily earn revenue with our program while we take care of the heavy lifting. We offer account and revenue management services, as well as housekeeping and maintenance. You’ll also benefit from our marketing and online travel partner service, where we’ll help you with networking and making sure you have no trouble booking guests.

If you are more interested in opening your own vacation rental management franchise with a small investment, contact Grand Welcome Franchise today to receive the Free Franchise Information Kit, and start earning revenue with our professional and ongoing support and training for you. Talk to us today to get more information about a turnkey franchise opportunity.