The Checkout Policy

Before booking a reservation for a guest, make sure they know the appropriate check out procedures for when they leave your vacation rental home. This information should also be enclosed in the packet you will send your renters that includes the rental policies, driving directions, and receipts for their deposit and rental fees. The checkout policy should also be incorporated into the rental guidelines, and should be agreed upon by your guests from the beginning.

It’s acceptable to ask a few things from your guests before their departure at the end of their stay in your home. Hotels, apartments, and condos all have things that need to be done as well, such as a certain time to be out of the room, and often other small things that need to be taken care of. After all, if they are not willing to abide by your policies, you probably do not want them staying your in your rental property.

One of the more common things that is asked by a checkout policy is that a little cleaning be done on your guests’ part. Most owners request that the trash be emptied and placed in a nearby dumpster. They also ask their guests to load the dishwasher, and run it before leaving.

Other requests made by the checkout guidelines deal with the home itself. Having these followed can save the rental property owners some money in the long run. Thermostats are often requested to be set at a certain temperature, depending on the weather. A good setting for summer is 80º F, and for the winter, 55º F. You may feel that this doesn’t need to be done with a housekeeper coming in soon, but trust me, shaving a few cents off your power bill will add up. Especially if your cleaning crew isn’t coming for the next few days.

An issue that needs to be addressed in the checkout policy is what do to with the keys. If you have a lock box on your door, simply ask that the guests lock all the doors and windows, and finish up by placing the keys into the lock box, shut it, then spin the combination a bit. If they will be mailing the keys back, make of mention of this on the check out policy as well. Some guests may forget to do this when they get home, but hopefully that chance will be decreasing with a reminder.

Feel free to include other small favors on your checkout policy. You may want to ask your renters to leave at a certain time, especially if housekeeping will be coming in the same day, or if other guests are expected soon. You may also mention that they have a safe trip home, and to sign your guest book or take any guests you have left for them with them as they leave.

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