What do I need to set up before my first short-term rental guest?
Before the first guest, sort the basics that protect you: insurance that covers short stays, any local permit or registration, and working smoke and carbon monoxide alarms. Then set up the running of it: every site's calendar in one place, a cleaner with a checklist, and check-in, Wi-Fi and guest guidelines guests can read before they arrive.
By StayPerk Team ยท Last checked
The order to do it in
- Check your insurance covers paying short-term guests, and register or get a permit if your area asks for one.
- Fit and test smoke and carbon monoxide alarms, and leave a fire extinguisher and first aid kit where guests can find them.
- Write your guest guidelines and put them in each listing before the first booking.
- Connect every booking site's calendar in one place, so a booking on one site doesn't clash with another.
- Agree a cleaner, a turnover price and a checklist with photos.
- Write check-in steps and Wi-Fi details guests can open on their phone, and print a Wi-Fi sign.
- Start your books on day one: every payout and every cost, by property.
Rules on permits, registration, occupancy tax and safety vary by city and country, so check your local council or city website before you list. The checklist below covers the jobs StayPerk can do for free; tick them off as you go.
Your first-guest checklist
Tick each job as you finish it. Ticks stay in this browser only. Every step links to the free tool that does it.
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What StayPerk does here
StayPerk covers the running jobs on this list for free, with no subscription and no property limit: the calendar, cleaner links, guest guide and Wi-Fi sign, paid extras, a booking page and books.
It doesn't arrange insurance, permits or safety checks; those are yours to sort locally.
Frequently asked questions
What is easy to forget?
Insurance that covers paying guests, a second set of keys or a backup way in, and a spare set of linen so a late laundry doesn't hold up the next stay.
Do I need software before my first guest?
No. A calendar that shows every site, a checklist for your cleaner and a guest guide are enough to start, and all three are free.
Still have a question?
Write to us and a person will reply, or look it up in the Help Center.
Sources
- Add house rules and requests to your listing - Airbnb Help Center