What to include in the check out list?

[Ladan38]

I'm a new host and would like to know what to include in the checkout list. Appreciate your time and suggestion in advance.

[Mike-And-Jane0]

@Ladan38 all we asked was that people shut the windows, locked the door and took out the trash. We specifically asked people not to strip the beds as it is hard to then spot if there is a need to treat stains.

[Ladan38]

Thank you so much for taking the time and sharing your feedback. Very helpful.

[Lorina14]

@Ladan38 

We ask guests to do the following: put trash and recycling in bins in the unit (we take it out after they leave), turn off lights, open shades (so we know they left - now sometimes guests click the check out button but I’ve only had a few guests actually do this), put dishes in the dishwasher or sink, check if you left anything behind in the fridge, washer/dryer, bed, bathroom, lock the door, please sign our guestbook if they feel inclined, and please complete a review within 14 days of checkout. 

I personally don’t like to be asked to take out the trash, strip the bed (it’s hard to treat for stains if there are any), put on the wash, as that is why we pay the cleaning fee (and I actually do my dishes, put it away, clean the stove without being asked but asking is a bit much). I do treat each space like my own and tidy up before leaving.

Some hosts ask to put towels in a pile in the bathtub or laundry basket which could be helpful to know what is used or not. I once had a couple of guests who washed towels and piled them on top of the clean ones and I wasn’t sure about the status so I washed all the towels again. 

[Ladan38]

Thank you so much for taking the time and sharing your feedback. You mentioned some great points and I very much appreciate it.

[Linda4207]

I think I’ll change my check out instructions to have the sheets left on the bed also. Thanks for your feedback

[Inna22]

@Ladan38 I think it depends on the property.

If your place is small and you charge a decent cleaning fee, asking for nothing might make sense.

If you live in a tropical climate or in a remote wooded area, asking to dispose all food so not to attract creatures might make sense.

If you live somewhere very humid, asking to leave towels in the tub might make sense

If you charge a minimal cleaning fee, asking to start a wash, a dishwasher etc might make sense.

I think you get the point.

Personally, I ask to take out the trash, start the dishwasher, clean exuberant messes and move back any furniture if it were moved. I host big groups so if I do not ask for this, I might be stuck with 10 bags of trash, heavy couch moved to the other side of the house and three days worth of dishes piled high.

As a guest, I hate instructions. I will naturally do my best to clean up but hate a long to do list even if everything on it as minor. It makes me anxious.

[Ladan38]

Thank you so much for taking the time and sharing your feedback.

[Khadija92]

@Ladan38 I try to keep it simple and ask to turn AC and lights off and to keep the parking remote inside the place as sometimes it's a hassle when guests take it with them and I need to replace it. 

[Katrina419]

Take out trash

load/do dirty dishes 

put used towels in shower 

turn AC/Heat down

turn off all lights 

put any moved furniture back in the proper place 

clean out refrigerator 

I typed out this list and hung on the refrigerator so guests can easily see. 

[Ladan38]

Thank you for taking the time and share your thoughts and experience. Great list.

[Lorina14]

@Katrina419 - a great simple list!

I recently added, “we understand you may wish to move things during your stay for your convenience but please return furniture and objects to their original location as I have location information in my house manual for next guests.” This happened after a long term guest moved around all the dishes, pots, utensils, all the items in the bathroom cabinets and I spent a long time putting them all back to their original location.

[Linda4207]

good idea

[Kimberly1232]

@Ladan38 I'm new, too, but I thought long and hard about it. They are paying good rates, and they pay a cleaning fee. They really shouldn't have to do much, if anything.  At first, I asked them to take out trash when they leave and put dirty dishes in the dishwasher (and to throw out any perishable food they bring).  I do ask they take the trash out to the outdoor can if their inside trash is full to overflowing and they aren't leaving yet.

I think I am going to change it to just take it out if it overflowing and not leave perishable food sitting out. I have been amazed at what some hosts ask of guests, especially if you pay a hefty cleaning fee. The problem from the guests' side is you don't know until after you have booked and paid. As a guest myself, when I thought the checkout was overboard, I didn't give a poor review (I kind of wanted to, but I'm not like that); I  just didn't give them a review.  So, knowing how I have felt as a guest, I think less is more. 

[Lorina14]

@Kimberly1232 

The reason I ask guests to put trash in the trash can and recycling in the recycle bins in the suite is because I was not going to say anything, then I remembered the sight of a room at a hotel when checking out. The guests left trash all over the room, dropped chips/food on the floor and  I thought I would ask guests to put it in the right place in the unit. I mean I think it’s common sense but now common sense is actually rare sense. So I didn’t want to open the door and find surprises so that’s why I wrote that. I am totally happy to take out your trash and recycling after you leave. I just don’t want food here there and everywhere. That said once someone smooshed two blueberries in my wool rug and spilled hot sauce all over the floor and didn’t clean it up. It was a mild inconvenience but everyone has differing levels of cleaning up after themselves.