Upon Checkout: Having Guests Prepare for the Next Guest?

[Jessica2365]

Howdy folks!

What are y'alls thoughts on having the current guest clean and make the bed for the next guest?  I don't normally do this, but for the month of September (when I am taking a vacation) I was thinking about running my little tiny home that way rather than just blocking it off.  It's a simple space to turn around: one bed, just sweep the floor, more or less.  I was thinking of informing the guests right up front (in the listing?  Or maybe a pre-booking message?) that I'd need them to do that, and then provide the necessary linens.  What do you think?  Bad idea?  

Thanks,

Jess

[Shelley159 · Accepted solution]

I would vote bad idea unfortunately @Jessica2365 , mainly because a bad cleanliness review will affect you and not the previous guest who was asked to clean (it could also affect the review you get from the guest who was tasked with cleaning).

It's more common to just block the days that you can't be there to change guests, from changeovers (not from bookings). In other words, set the days so that they're bookable but not available for check-in/checkout.

Three things to consider:

1) You may need to make some arrangements in case there's a problem while you're away

2) It's best to set the calendar so that the guest is already checked in and settled by the time you leave (to avoid issues on arrival day)

3) Restricting guest changeover days requires that you turn on professional hosting tools (in the Menu), which can take a bit of getting used to.

[Joan2709]

@Jessica2365 

I agree with @Shelley159 

There are other ways to achieve what you are trying to do as @Shelley159 mentions that are more appropriate and also protect your property and the next guest's right to arrive to a prepared space. Shouldn't the linens be washed between guests? (not just make the bed)?

[Jessica2365]

@Joan2709 Yeah for sure - by 'make the bed' I did mean 'make the bed with new linens'.

[Joelle43]

Hello @Jessica2365 

Afraid I'm with the @Joan2709 and @Shelley159  on this most important part of our hosting.  This is asking for trouble Jessica as you may potentially have a guest leaving at 6am and who will NOT want to clean or even change the sheets at that time of the morning.  Do you not wash the floors between guests, dust in all the corners, check the state of glassware, cutlery etc, etc  Where do  the guests store  the dirty sheets in the meantime? How many spare sets do you have?  I think you said your place was small?

Bad scores from cleaning is something that can end up costing your listing a great deal and the effects of bad reviews will stay with you for a very long time.  Just not worth the risk in my book.  Best to close your tiny home or find someone you can trust to do the change overs properly.  Guests will and do find any excuse to get reimbursed for their stay and even a single hair (or worse) that hasn't been picked up can have disastrous results and a real pain to deal with if you're on holiday.

Good luck and let us know how you get on!

[Lorna170]

@Jessica2365   No.... no matter how well meaning or cooperative a guest may be, they are not responsible for setting up your home for the next guest.  Find a friend who can take care of the cleaning for you or block your dates.  

[Bhumika]

Hi @Jessica2365 , thanks for asking this interesting question! From the comments, it seems hosts are at a consensus regarding this particular request for guests. What do you think about their points?

We'd love to hear what you decide based on the discussion with the hosts 🌻