Airbnb Turnover Checklist: What to Check Between Guests
A holiday rental turnover is more than cleaning.
Between one guest leaving and the next arriving, the property needs to be:
- cleaned
- reset
- restocked
- checked for damage or maintenance issues
- prepared for the next guest
- inspected before the cleaner or host leaves
When turnover time is limited, small tasks are easy to miss.
A forgotten towel, empty soap bottle, dead remote battery or access problem may seem minor during preparation but becomes immediately visible to the next guest.
That is why a consistent turnover checklist is useful.
It gives hosts, cleaners and property managers a repeatable process for preparing the property without relying entirely on memory.
Airbnb itself recommends following the same cleaning routine before every check-in to reduce the chance of overlooking tasks, while current industry guidance treats turnover as a combination of cleaning, restocking, property checks and final quality control.
What Is an Airbnb Turnover?
An Airbnb turnover is the process of preparing a short-term rental after one guest checks out and before the next guest arrives.
It usually involves:
- removing rubbish
- changing linen and towels
- cleaning every room
- restocking guest supplies
- checking property condition
- identifying maintenance issues
- testing important guest-facing features
- resetting furniture and presentation
- completing a final inspection
The same process applies to holiday rentals, vacation rentals, serviced accommodation and other short-term rentals.
A turnover is different from a deep clean.
The turnover is the repeatable between-stay reset.
A deep clean is a more intensive periodic clean that may include areas or tasks that do not need attention after every booking.
Why Use a Turnover Checklist?
A turnover often happens within a relatively short window.
There may be only a few hours between:
guest check-out → cleaning → inspection → next check-in
That makes consistency important.
A checklist can help:
- reduce forgotten tasks
- give cleaners a consistent routine
- identify maintenance problems
- keep restocking organised
- make handovers easier
- standardise presentation
- confirm the property is ready before arrival
A structured turnover process becomes particularly useful when more than one cleaner, co-host or property manager works at the property.
Everyone can work from the same standard rather than interpreting “get the property ready” differently.
1. Start With a Quick Property Condition Check
Before the full clean begins, look at the condition in which the property was left.
A clear guest departure process can make the handover easier. See Airbnb Check-Out Instructions: What to Include + Examples.
Check for:
- visible damage
- missing items
- stains
- furniture moved significantly
- unusual rubbish
- appliance problems
- obvious leaks
- strong or unusual odours
- items left behind by guests
- anything requiring immediate attention
This initial check can help distinguish normal turnover work from a maintenance or property-condition issue.
If something significant is found, document it appropriately before the affected area is altered or cleaned.
2. Remove Rubbish and Left-Behind Items
Check:
- kitchen bins
- bathroom bins
- bedroom bins
- outdoor bins where applicable
- refrigerator
- cupboards
- drawers
- wardrobes
- under beds
- outdoor areas
Remove rubbish according to the property's waste procedure.
If guests have left personal belongings behind, follow your normal lost-property process rather than automatically disposing of them.
3. Strip Beds and Start Laundry
Laundry can take a large part of the turnover window, so it often makes sense to begin early.
Collect:
- bed linen
- pillowcases
- towels
- bath mats
- kitchen linen
- other washable guest textiles
Check linen for:
- stains
- damage
- excessive wear
- missing items
If laundry is handled off-site, make sure used and clean linen are kept clearly separated.
Having spare linen sets available can make turnovers easier, and Airbnb currently recommends keeping an extra set of bedding and towels to help speed up preparation between guests.
4. Clean the Kitchen
The kitchen usually needs a full reset.
Check and clean:
- worktops
- sink and taps
- hob
- oven exterior
- microwave
- refrigerator
- dishwasher
- kettle
- coffee machine
- dining area
- cupboard fronts
- handles
- floors
Also check for:
- leftover food
- expired items
- damaged crockery
- missing utensils
- appliance faults
Return items to their standard positions so the kitchen feels consistent from one stay to the next.
5. Reset Bathrooms
Bathrooms should be cleaned and checked carefully.
Include:
- toilet
- sink
- taps
- shower
- bath
- mirrors
- drains
- floors
- fixtures
- handles
- bins
Then restock the property's normal guest supplies.
Examples might include:
- toilet paper
- hand soap
- shower products
- tissues
- sanitary bags where provided
Look for maintenance issues such as:
- slow drainage
- leaks
- loose fittings
- damaged seals
- mould or moisture problems
These should be reported rather than simply cleaned around.
6. Prepare Bedrooms
Check each bedroom systematically.
Tasks may include:
- make beds with clean linen
- replace towels where stored in the room
- dust surfaces
- clean floors
- check bedside lights
- reset furniture
- empty bins
- check drawers and wardrobes
- inspect mirrors
- reset curtains or blinds
Also look for:
- damaged furniture
- loose fittings
- staining
- missing hangers
- faulty lights
- damaged linen
- belongings left behind
The goal is not just cleanliness.
The room should return to its standard setup.
7. Reset the Living Areas
Check:
- sofas
- chairs
- tables
- cushions
- throws
- television
- remotes
- lamps
- blinds or curtains
- decorative items
- floors
Return furniture and accessories to their usual position.
Check that frequently handled items such as remotes and switches are clean and functioning.
If a remote battery is weak or an item is damaged, record it for replacement rather than leaving it for the guest to discover.
8. Check High-Touch Areas
Some areas are easy to overlook because they are not large surfaces.
Examples include:
- door handles
- light switches
- remote controls
- cupboard handles
- stair rails
- taps
- appliance controls
- key safes
- thermostat controls
A consistent turnover checklist helps ensure these smaller details do not depend on memory.
9. Restock Guest Supplies
Restocking should follow a standard quantity for the property rather than guessing each time.
Depending on what you provide, review:
- toilet paper
- hand soap
- toiletries
- coffee
- tea
- sugar
- dishwasher tablets
- washing-up liquid
- bin bags
- kitchen consumables
- welcome items
Airbnb currently recommends recurring orders for commonly used cleaning and guest essentials as one way to reduce the risk of supplies running out.
For properties with frequent turnovers, keeping a simple inventory or restocking system can make this much easier.
10. Review Cleaning Supplies
The cleaning team also needs enough operational stock.
Check:
- cleaning products
- cloths
- sponges
- gloves
- rubbish bags
- dishwasher products
- laundry products
- replacement cleaning tools
This is separate from guest supplies.
If cleaners repeatedly discover low stock during turnovers, establish a minimum stock level or reorder point instead of relying on memory.
11. Check Access and Entry
Before the next guest arrives, confirm that property access works correctly.
Depending on the property, review:
- main key
- spare keys
- lockbox
- smart lock
- entry code
- building access
- gate
- garage
- parking access
Check that:
- doors close properly
- locks operate normally
- the key safe opens and closes
- smart-lock batteries are functioning
- any arrival information matches the current access setup
An immaculate property is still not guest-ready if the guest cannot get inside.
12. Check Essential Guest-Facing Equipment
A turnover provides a useful opportunity for quick functional checks.
Depending on the property:
- Wi-Fi
- television
- remotes
- refrigerator
- kettle
- coffee machine
- heating controls
- air-conditioning controls
- key appliances
These should be basic operational checks rather than specialist maintenance inspections.
If something is not working correctly, record the issue and arrange appropriate action.
13. Look for Maintenance Issues
Cleaning teams often notice maintenance issues because they see the property so frequently.
Ask them to report:
- leaking taps
- slow drains
- loose handles
- broken lights
- unstable furniture
- appliance faults
- damaged blinds
- wall or flooring damage
- unusual smells
- signs of damp
- failing batteries
A turnover checklist can therefore act as an early-warning system for maintenance, not simply a cleaning list.
Hostfully similarly describes turnover checklists as useful for identifying small maintenance problems before they become guest-facing issues.
For a broader maintenance routine, see our Holiday Rental Maintenance Checklist: What Hosts Should Check.
14. Check Safety-Related Items
The turnover team should report anything obviously wrong with relevant safety equipment or access routes.
Depending on the property, this may include:
- alarms
- fire equipment
- emergency information
- first-aid supplies
- exit routes
- exterior access
The turnover check should not replace required safety inspections, servicing or manufacturer guidance.
Its purpose is simply to identify obvious problems that need attention.
15. Check Outdoor Areas
Where applicable, inspect:
- entrance
- balcony
- terrace
- patio
- garden
- pool area
- outdoor furniture
- barbecue area
- paths
- exterior bins
Look for:
- rubbish
- damaged furniture
- hazards
- weather-related mess
- items moved by previous guests
- anything requiring maintenance
Outdoor areas should be reset to the same standard as the interior.
16. Check the Guest Information
Make sure the information available to the next guest is still correct.
Review anything that may have changed, such as:
- Wi-Fi details
- access instructions
- parking information
- appliance guidance
- emergency contacts
- check-out information
This is particularly important after operational changes.
For example, if you replace the smart lock but forget to update the guest guide, the old instructions become a problem.
17. Reset the Property Presentation
Once cleaning and checks are complete, reset the property consistently.
Examples:
- furniture in its standard position
- cushions arranged
- curtains or blinds set
- towels placed correctly
- welcome materials positioned
- beds presented consistently
- kitchen organised
- outdoor furniture reset
The property should look deliberate rather than simply clean.
Documenting the standard setup with reference photographs can be useful when several people prepare the property.
18. Complete a Final Guest-Ready Inspection
This is the final step.
Before leaving, walk through the property as though you were the arriving guest.
Ask:
- Is every room clean?
- Are beds and towels ready?
- Are guest supplies stocked?
- Does the property smell fresh?
- Is access working?
- Are lights and essential equipment functioning?
- Is furniture positioned correctly?
- Have maintenance issues been reported?
- Has anything been forgotten?
A final inspection acts as a quality-control step between the cleaner finishing and the next guest arriving. Current vacation-rental turnover guidance also recommends closing the turnover with a final guest-ready inspection rather than assuming that completion of cleaning alone means the property is ready.
For remote hosts, a small set of completion photographs can also provide useful confirmation that the property has been reset.
Simple Airbnb Turnover Checklist
A practical turnover can be organised into six stages.
1. Inspect
- Check property condition
- Record damage or issues
- Collect lost property
2. Clear
- Remove rubbish
- Remove leftover food
- Strip beds
- Collect towels and linen
3. Clean
- Kitchen
- Bathrooms
- Bedrooms
- Living areas
- Floors
- High-touch surfaces
- Outdoor areas where applicable
4. Restock
- Guest toiletries
- Toilet paper
- Kitchen supplies
- Coffee/tea
- Laundry items
- Welcome supplies
5. Check
- Access
- Wi-Fi
- lights
- guest-facing appliances
- furniture
- maintenance issues
- guest information
6. Reset
- Make beds
- position furniture
- arrange towels
- stage rooms
- complete final inspection
This is usually more useful than a random list of dozens of unrelated tasks.
Free Holiday Rental Turnover Quick Check
Want a simple one-page reference for between-stay preparation? Download our free Holiday Rental Turnover Quick Check covering cleaning, linen, restocking, property checks, access and final guest-ready preparation.
Turnover Checklist vs Cleaning Checklist
The terms overlap, but they are not quite the same thing.
Cleaning Checklist
Focuses primarily on cleaning tasks:
- surfaces
- bathrooms
- kitchen
- floors
- linen
- sanitation
Turnover Checklist
Covers the entire between-guest reset:
- property condition
- cleaning
- laundry
- restocking
- maintenance observations
- access
- guest information
- final presentation
- quality check
So:
Cleaning is part of turnover.
Turnover is the complete operational reset between guests.
For the detailed cleaning side of the process, see our Airbnb Cleaning Checklist.
Turnover vs Deep Cleaning
These should also be kept separate.
Turnover Cleaning
Performed between stays.
Focuses on restoring the property to its normal guest-ready standard.
Deep Cleaning
Completed periodically.
May include more intensive tasks such as:
- behind and under furniture
- detailed grout cleaning
- upholstery
- high-level dusting
- inside less-frequently cleaned appliances
- detailed window or fixture cleaning
A property can have excellent turnover cleaning and still require scheduled deep cleans.
Turnover vs Maintenance
Turnover and maintenance also work together without being the same process.
During turnover, the cleaner may identify:
“The bathroom tap is leaking.”
That is a turnover observation.
The actual repair belongs in the maintenance system.
A good workflow is:
notice → report → record → repair → confirm
This keeps maintenance problems from disappearing into informal messages.
Who Should Complete the Turnover Checklist?
It depends on the property.
The checklist may be used by:
- host
- cleaner
- housekeeping team
- co-host
- property manager
- local property assistant
The important thing is that responsibilities are clear.
For example, the cleaner may be responsible for:
- cleaning
- restocking
- visual checks
- reporting issues
while the host or manager handles:
- repairs
- supply ordering
- guest communication
- access changes
A checklist should clarify the workflow rather than make one person responsible for everything.
Turnover Checklists for Remote Hosts
Remote hosts need especially clear systems because they cannot personally inspect every property after every stay.
Useful practices include:
- standard checklist
- clear restocking quantities
- reference photos
- issue-reporting process
- completion confirmation
- maintenance escalation
- backup cleaner contact
This allows the local team to provide useful information without the host repeatedly asking:
“Is everything ready?”
A central Holiday Rental Property Operations Manual can also help cleaners, co-hosts and property managers access property-specific turnover and operational information.
Same-Day Turnovers
Same-day turnovers create the greatest time pressure.
If one guest checks out in the morning and the next arrives in the afternoon, the property may need to be:
inspected → cleaned → laundered → restocked → checked → reset
within a few hours.
To make this more reliable:
- schedule cleaners as soon as bookings are confirmed
- keep spare linen available
- maintain adequate supply stock
- communicate late check-outs quickly
- identify maintenance issues immediately
- prioritise essential guest-ready work
- allow time for the final inspection
Current Airbnb guidance specifically recommends creating a repeatable cleaning routine, keeping spare linen available and maintaining essential supplies to make turnovers easier.
Common Airbnb Turnover Mistakes
Treating Turnover as Cleaning Only
A clean property can still have:
- no toilet paper
- broken Wi-Fi
- a dead smart-lock battery
- missing towels
- damaged furniture
Turnover needs a broader final check.
No Standard Restocking Levels
“Top it up if it looks low” creates inconsistency.
Set a standard quantity.
No Final Inspection
The person cleaning can finish every listed task and still overlook the overall presentation.
Always finish with a guest-ready check.
Maintenance Issues Stay in WhatsApp
If a cleaner reports a leaking tap, record it somewhere operational rather than letting it disappear into a chat.
Property-Specific Tasks Are Missing
Generic checklists cannot know that your villa has a pool gate or your apartment requires a parking permit.
Customise the checklist.
Too Many Tasks
A checklist with hundreds of low-value steps becomes difficult to use.
Focus on tasks that genuinely determine whether the property is ready.
Frequently Asked Questions
What should be included in an Airbnb turnover checklist?
A turnover checklist should cover property condition, rubbish, laundry, room cleaning, restocking, access, guest-facing equipment, maintenance observations, final presentation and a guest-ready inspection.
Is an Airbnb turnover checklist the same as a cleaning checklist?
No. Cleaning is one part of turnover. A turnover checklist also covers restocking, property checks, access, maintenance issues and final preparation.
Should cleaners check for damage?
Cleaners can make visual observations and report anything unusual or damaged. More detailed assessment or documentation can then be handled according to the host's normal property-management process.
Should Wi-Fi be checked between guests?
A quick connection or router-status check can be useful because Wi-Fi problems become guest-facing immediately. It does not require a detailed technical inspection every turnover.
Should appliances be tested during every turnover?
A quick functional check can be useful for important guest-facing equipment. Specialist servicing should follow its own maintenance schedule.
How can remote hosts confirm a turnover is complete?
A standard checklist, completion message and selected property photos can provide useful confirmation that the property has been prepared.
Should turnover teams report maintenance issues?
Yes. Turnover teams are often the people who see the property most frequently, so visible maintenance problems should be reported and added to the host's maintenance system.
How do I make turnovers more consistent?
Use the same core checklist, define standard quantities and room setups, provide property-specific instructions, and finish every turnover with a final guest-ready inspection.
Create a Repeatable Turnover System
Explore our Cleaning & Turnover Resources for more guidance on preparing a holiday rental between stays.
A reliable turnover does not depend on one cleaner remembering everything.
It depends on a clear process.
A useful sequence is:
inspect → clear → clean → restock → check → reset
Then complete one final walk-through before the next guest arrives.
That gives hosts and property teams a consistent way to prepare the property, identify problems and confirm that everything is ready.
And for more practical systems for operating a short-term rental, explore our Host Resources.
