What should a holiday-let turnover checklist cover?

HostStack Team · Team discussion starter

HostStack Team — Team discussion starter. General information, not legal, tax or financial advice.

A turnover checklist should make the property ready for the next booking and highlight exceptions that need a decision. It is not a certificate of safety or a substitute for competent safety inspections. Separate routine observations from maintenance and specialist work, and give the cleaner a clear escalation contact.

Begin with a brief condition check: signs of damage, missing inventory, leaks, unusual smells or other concerns. Record exceptions before cleaning obscures evidence. Work room by room through bathrooms, kitchen, bedrooms and living areas, including frequently touched surfaces, bins, food residues and the agreed presentation standard.

Check linen and towels against the bed configuration and guest count. Replenish agreed consumables and note stock running low. Inventory checks should focus on essentials and items that often go missing; a full stocktake every changeover may be impractical, so agree a separate periodic routine for the rest.

Include observable issues such as a damaged cable, a blocked exit or an appliance appearing faulty, with instructions to report rather than attempt unqualified repair. Required safety testing and inspection must remain on their own competent-person schedule. If a concern affects safe readiness, escalate it before the next arrival.

Finish with access and presentation: secure windows and doors as appropriate, confirm permitted access arrangements, check the agreed guest information and complete a final walk-through. Use selected dated photos and a named sign-off, avoiding guest documents or belongings. Keep an exception log for unfinished work and recurring problems. Review the checklist when the property changes instead of allowing obsolete tasks to accumulate.

Which overlooked turnover item would you add to this list, and how do you escalate it? Please share a real lesson without identifying a guest.