How to keep a short-term rental property in excellent condition: Practical tips for owners

Owning a short-term rental property can be a rewarding investment, but it also brings with it the responsibility of maintaining the property to a high standard in order to ensure guest satisfaction and secure repeat business. By keeping your rental property in good condition, you not only improve the guest experience, but you also protect your investment and maximise your financial return. From a legal perspective, your investment property must not present any health and safety for your guest, which means that nothing should be allowed to endanger guests during their stay. It is because of these legal and profitability considerations, that property management companies like SwedBNB, exist – to help you maintain your property while taking care of all aspects of short-term rentals.

In this article, we will look at the essential tips for keeping your property in good condition and what services a short-term rental property management company can offer you. We will also provide you our 5 DIY renovations to restore old or damaged furniture to something all holiday and business traveller guests will love.

Guest satisfaction starts with a property in good condition: The essential steps

Maintaining a clean and safe environment is crucial to the management of a short-term rental properties. Guests expect cleanliness, safety, and security during their stay. A common problem for many Airbnb, Booking.com, and VRBO guests is that the short-term rental properties have not been taken care of and the necessary work is not completed when needed. It is important to take initiative so that your property investment does not lose value and continues the deliver the highest possible income, which can only occur if you are providing a high quality and well-maintained home. If you don’t regularly check and maintain your property, it will undoubtedly have financial consequences in the long term. Indeed, if you let time pass without repairing known issues, the costs of repair or maintenance work will usually increase in value. By implementing proper cleaning and post-stay protocols, you improve the guest experience, and also protect your property.

A clean environment: The keys to a successful short-term rental

To ensure a clean and pleasant environment for guests, it is essential to establish a regular cleaning routine to ensure that your rental property remains clean and inviting. Indeed, the cleanliness of the accommodation is the most important criteria for short-term rental guests. Nearly 97 percent of Airbnb travellers believe that cleanliness is essential for a positive experience. This is why short-term rental property management companies like SwedBNB, which operates throughout Sweden, has its own team of professionals. By implementing a consistent cleaning program between guest stays, a high level of cleanliness is maintained. The professional cleaners have the expertise, equipment and knowledge to clean and sanitise the property from top to bottom, ensuring a hygienic environment for your guests. They can also take care of tasks such as washing linens and towels, saving you time and effort.

On platforms like Airbnb, hosts with a cleanliness rating of 4.8 or higher are 64 percent more likely to get booked compared to those with lower cleaning ratings. Following the COVID-19 pandemic, cleanliness and hygiene have become even more important for guests and property owners. Prior to the pandemic, cleanliness was important, but afterwards, almost all guests – around 90 percent – indicated that they will not book a property unless it adheres to enhanced cleaning protocols.  Many guests appreciate transparency about cleaning protocols and over 70 percent of guests want to know specific details about the cleaning process used between stays. A significant percentage of guests, over 60 percent, prefer properties that are professionally cleaned as opposed to cleaned by the hosts, showing a clear preference for professional standard of cleanliness.  We have also found that four in five guests booking via Airbnb, Booking.com and VRBO appreciate it when hosts provide additional cleaning supplies, hand sanitizers, disinfectant wipes, and soaps during their stay.

Maximise the durability of your property through repair and maintenance

Regular maintenance and property inspections are essential to identify and address potential safety hazards and repairs early. Repairs and maintenance must be carried out promptly to avoid further damage and to ensure the satisfaction of holiday and business travellers. We advise you to carry out regular routine checks of your electrical systems and equipment to ensure that everything is working properly. Fix any problems that arise promptly and keep a record of repairs and maintenance for reference. Make a maintenance checklist that covers common items such as:

• Heating units
• Ventilation units
• Air conditioning
• Plumbing
• HVAC
• Fire safety equipment
• Radiators cleaned and purged
• Piping
• Door and window opening, handle
• Ventilation grille
• Check the state of the floors (floors, tiles, carpets, balcony)
• Household appliances

Ensuring that all equipment and fixtures in your short-term rental property are in good working order is essential to maintaining guest satisfaction. Regularly check and maintain items such as Wi-Fi routers, televisions, kitchen appliances and bathroom fixtures. Keep an inventory of these items, noting their age and condition, and plan for periodic replacements or upgrades.

A secure property for guests with confidence

Professional services are paramount to ensure the safety of your guests and to protect your property. To avoid any potential fire problems, regularly inspect and maintain fire equipment including fire extinguishers, fire alarms, carbon monoxide detectors and smoke detectors. To keep your property safe from outside intruders install strong locks on all doors and windows, and consider investing in a security system or external surveillance cameras to discourage potential intruders. Provide your guests with unique access codes and keyless entry options to control access to the property is the best possible check in process. Also, regularly inspect the exterior of the property, including lighting and landscaping, to minimize potential security risks. Creating a secure and welcoming environment is a top priority for both Airbnb hosts and guests. Two effective measures to minimize security risks are installing security lighting and maintaining proper landscaping.  Statistics reveal a significant decrease in the risk of burglaries when security lighting is installed. Illuminating the exterior of a property acts as a deterrent to potential intruders, making them think twice before targeting the premises. According to a study conducted by the University of North Carolina at Charlotte, properties with security lighting experienced a 39 percent reduction in the risk of burglary compared to properties without adequate lighting. This statistic underscores the effectiveness of security lighting in deterring criminals and protecting both hosts and guests.

Properly maintained landscaping improves the aesthetic appeal of an Airbnb short-term rental property and also contributes to a heightened sense of safety. Landscaping elements such as well-trimmed hedges, pruned trees, and clear sightlines can greatly reduce hiding spots for potential intruders. A survey conducted by the National Association of Realtors found that 81 percent of Airbnb guests rated a well-maintained landscape as one of the most important factors their initial impressions of a short-term rental property. By investing in landscaping, hosts can provide a visually appealing and secure environment, promoting a greater sense of safety among their guests.

Investing in security measures like lighting and landscaping increases the safety of guests and also has a positive impact on guest satisfaction and future bookings. According to Airbnb’s internal data analysis, properties with higher-rated security features, including lighting and landscaping, tend to receive more positive reviews from guests. Additionally, hosts who prioritise security by incorporating these measures often witness an increase in their booking rates. By proactively addressing security concerns, hosts can create a trustworthy and appealing property listing, leading to enhanced guest experiences and improved business outcomes.

Maintaining an open line of communication with your guests allows any concerns and problems to be identified and addressed quickly. As an owner you should provide emergency contact details to all guests and give clear instructions on emergency procedures. Short-term rental property management companies are available 24/7 to meet the needs of guests and protect your property. To find out more about the services of a short-term rental property management company click here.

Our 5 DIY tips for restoring your old and damaged furniture

Renovating old items can be a fun and creative way to add character and originality to your short-term rental. So don’t throw old furniture away! You can give older furniture a second life by renovating or turning them into decorative items. Here’s our guide to five DIY ways to renovate old, damaged or outdated items:

Modern table: If you have an old, damaged table, it’s easy to give it a modern touch. Sand and repaint it in a trendy anthracite grey, which is very trendy at the moment. The neutral colour combines well with all other colours and materials.

Varnish your wooden furniture: Wood is very trendy and it requires a lot of maintenance. Give your wooden furniture a new life by varnishing it once a year. You can find pots of varnish, matt or glossy, in all DIY shops.

Decorate your kitchen backsplash: Are you are tired of constantly repainting this special place in your kitchen? To make your kitchen more modern, use tiles, granite or composite materials to make your backsplash a real splash!

Renovating upholstery: Update upholstery on chairs, sofas that are out of fashion or worn out. Remove the old fabric and replace it with a new one that matches the style of your property. There are many tutorials and resources online to guide you through the process, and plenty of material shops all over town that sell great material with very cool patterns and rock-bottom prices. Adding colorful and patterned fabrics can instantly elevate the visual appeal of your space, creating a focal point that catches the eye of your guests.

Creative reused object: Turn old items into something totally different by reusing them in creative ways. For example, you can reuse old window frames to make unique photo frames or decorative wall art. Another example is to repurpose an old wooden trunk into a coffee table while providing additional storage for guests’ belongings. Similarly, a vintage dresser can be transformed into a bathroom vanity, adding a touch of elegance to the space. These repurposed furniture items not only add character and uniqueness to your Airbnb but also offer practical storage solutions, enhancing the functionality of the room.

When renovating an old object, especially remember to assess the safety of any old object you are planning to renovate. Some items of furniture may simply be too old and inclined to break and they should be retired. And remember to use non-toxic paints and materials when restoring your furniture. Do-it-yourself renovations can add a unique touch to your short-term rental while showcasing your creativity and expertise. Breathing new life into old furniture can transform your Airbnb listing into a unique and appealing space. Repurposing and reusing old furniture adds character and also demonstrates your commitment to sustainability. So get your brushes and tools!

Maintaining a short-term rental property requires constant effort and attention to detail. By ensuring a clean environment, prompt repairs and maintenance, and prioritizing safety and security, you can provide your guests with a pleasant and memorable experience. By keeping your property in excellent condition, you increase guest satisfaction, promote positive feedback and establish a reputation for quality, resulting in increased bookings and a better return on investment. To help you in this mission, contact a reliable short-term rental property management company that puts the condition of your property first.