Vacation Property Maintenance
23 February 2024
Our Smart Guide for Vacation Rental Maintenance:
How to take care of a vacation home
Believe it or not, vacation rental guests are quick to point out small defects—like a loose doorknob, a leaky faucet, or a blown lightbulb—even during an otherwise flawless stay. It’s because details matter.
Maintaining your home consistently can be the difference between a good guest review and a mediocre one. Resultantly, it can help drive a steady flow of bookings.
Travellers want vacation rentals that are well kept, inside and out. Here’s how to stay on top of your vacation home’s maintenance to keep it in prime condition all year long.
Start with a thorough inspection
Prevention is the primary goal. Whether you purchased your home a year ago or not, now’s the time for a thorough inspection. Tour your property with a discerning eye, similar to how your parents critique your cooking.
Look and smell for any pest or water damage. Look for cracks in the walls and examine your roof. Test your power outlets for any outages and faucets for any plumbing issues. Don’t overlook your home’s exterior—overgrown trees and encroaching roots can cause major damage to your property in the future.
Prioritise the essentials
Faulty kettle? Minor issue. AC broken in summer? A huge deal that can potentially ruin a guest’s entire vacation. So pay special attention to the big mechanical systems that can have a big impact—your air conditioner, furnace, and ventilation systems.
Regularly swap out the filters and perform checks to make sure they’re functioning properly.
Inspect any safety equipment, such as smoke and carbon monoxide detectors. Replace batteries at least once a year or in accordance with the manufacturer’s warranty. Check that your fire extinguisher and first aid kit is available, visible, and in working order.
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Keep appliances and electronics in optimal condition
Every appliance in your vacation home—from the dryer to the fridge—require regular maintenance to keep them working properly. For instance, refrigerator coils should be cleaned and dryer exhaust vents need to be checked for blockages.
Implementing these processes into a consistent schedule will help keep your appliances efficient, instead of having them break down entirely.
Schedule regular check-ups
Don’t wait for a guest to tell you something is broken or missing. Be proactive and perform routine checks and maintenance. It’s the best way to get ahead of any potential issues at your vacation home. Create repeating dates in your calendar as reminders to take care of certain tasks, such as cleaning out gutters, or trimming trees and bushes.
Don’t overlook vacation rental yard maintenance
Grass grows, winds blow and you can’t be slow. Gardens can start looking disheveled pretty quickly—especially without routine cleanups. This can include garden care (trimming trees and bushes, mowing the lawn, pulling weeds), plus maintaining whatever outdoor amenities you offer (decks, balcony furniture).
As part of their cleaning routine, housekeepers will check on the outdoor barbecue, making sure it’s clean and has sufficient propane.
Assemble a vacation rental maintenance team
Not everyone knows how to clean the pool, inspect the pipes, and check the roof. If you live away or across the country, hiring the right people to work on the right things is one of the best ways to take care of your property.
Find vendors you can trust, then put them on speed dial. You’ll never know when you’ll need to call in a local roofer after a storm or an AC technician during summer.
The alternative: lean on a trusted local property manager
If you work with Host Solutions to manage your vacation home, we come ready with a list of vendors and maintenance services already—from landscapers to plumbers. Our team will set up any appointments, work with the vendors directly, and handle any paperwork and follow-up.
Performing regular maintenance on your vacation home will save you from making costly repairs in the future, plus ensure that guests only experience your home in its prime condition. Follow this guide to help with your home’s upkeep throughout the year.
Conclusion:
Managing your property’s maintenance is all about prevention. When you have strict processes to check maintenance, carry out tasks and ring trades when things break, you will find maintenance a breeze.
A quick summary. First, complete a thorough inspection looking for damage or areas to focus on. Narrow down on the areas of your property that are likely to cause significant issues if things go wrong. Schedule check-ups and conduct regular preventative maintenance tasks. Assemble a team to call if you need.
Which of these techniques are you going to use?