The idea behind the departure instructions should be “leave the premises in the same condition as you found them.” We like to think that all guests are well-meaning... But it's better to communicate your expectations from the start than to leave room for chance.
It is important that your hosts are aware of their departure time.
Your cleaning teams will thus have enough time to take care of your accommodation before the next guests arrive. This is especially important when you have multiple bookings.
Note: If you are concerned that your departure time may not be respected or if you have had problems in the past, you may consider setting a late departure fee. You can mention this in your Airbnb house rules and check out instructions.
While it seems common sense to close and lock all windows and doors before leaving a house, you should still mention it! Remind guests to close and lock all windows and doors. And point out windows or doors that can be easily forgotten, such as verandas.
To avoid the unpleasant surprise of running into disgusting and moldy foods in your fridge, ask your travelers to get rid of the food they brought and empty the trash cans, if this is not included in your cleaning service, of course!
Clearly indicate where the nearest trash container is located and why not, trash collection times.
In your room departure instructions, remind hosts to turn off all lights in each room and mention any other electronic devices that need to be turned off, such as the television.
Conversely, there may be devices that you want to remind hosts to plug in and charge. (Like video game consoles, vacuum cleaners, etc.)
You can also ask guests to bring the thermostat back to a specific temperature. This ensures that the heating isn't working excessively and doesn't cost you a lot in energy bills, but that the house doesn't fall to an uncomfortable temperature when it's unoccupied.
Don't forget to mention where the thermostat is... It's not always easy to find!
Often, hosts ask their hosts to leave used towels on the bathroom floor or in the bathtub for the cleaning agent to wash.
Indicate whether bed linen should be undone or not.
Be careful, remember that if the cleaning agent cannot come right away, towels left in a ball on the floor can start to mold and may even damage your bathroom floor.
Tell customers to do what works best for your cleaning staff and their schedule
Arguably the most important thing to mention in your departure instructions - if you don't have a smart lock or autonomous access to your home - is what guests should do with the keys when they leave.
Whether guests should leave keys in a key box, at a local coffee shop, or traditionally handing them over to someone on your team, don't leave them feeling uncertain about what to do with the keys.
There are several easy ways to send exit instructions for Airbnb. There are several methods you can use.
For example, you can create scheduled messages and automatically send them to hosts via the Airbnb platform. You can schedule them for the day before or the morning of their departure.
Also, you can hang a nice sign in a place where customers will see it (like the kitchen or living room) with your departure instructions.
On the other hand, when your property is listed on several different sites at once, it's hard to remember to keep each listing consistent and send automatic messages for each site. The OIQIA application allows you to give your travelers access to all the instructions for your accommodation.
Adapt your requests to your cleaning package. You should keep in mind the amount of cleaning fees and check if what you ask your guests in the check-out instructions matches this price.
Leaving departure instructions shows your hosts that you care about your vacation rental and that you are providing them with the best possible service. This shows your commitment to keeping the property as clean as possible and sets a precedent for what type of host you are.
If done right, clear starting instructions keep your property in good condition and help you generate more business in the future.
The aim of your check-out instructions is to make your work and that of your cleaning team easier. By leaving clear departure instructions, you let your guests know what you want from them, and there's no room for misunderstandings.
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