Summer is officially here, which means an influx of visitors to our beautiful coast of BC. If you’re a homeowner in Vancouver or Victoria and have been considering making use of your extra guest space or secondary suite to make a little extra cash, we’ve got some tips to help you out!
We’ve listed our top 8 vacation rental organization tips below to help you prepare for short-term rentals.
1. Define the Space
When you book an Airbnb stay, you know that you are staying in someone’s home. However, it is important to keep in mind the guest’s needs. Creating a memorable guest experience comes down to the details. It’s no secret that Airbnb’s are usually more comfortable and more personalized than a regular hotel room, but it is important to still focus on simplicity, to ensure guests feel comfortable and that it is their space while they’re there, and not someone else’s.
While it is great to add touches of your personal style here and there, don’t go overboard. Personal items such as family photographs, clothing, toiletries, important documents or jewelry should always be removed.
2. Remove Clutter
Eliminating clutter will not only ensure a better guest experience but will also make cleaning and maintenance much easier for you.
Declutter all areas, focusing on kitchen and bathroom countertops, cupboards, and decorative items. If your unit is a secondary home for you, where you occasionally stay, designate a lockable closet or cupboard for owner storage, where you can store your personal items that you want to have available for yourselves, but need to remove for guest stays.
3. Stock Essentials, and a Few Extras
Essential items like paper towels, toilet paper, towels and blankets, coffee and tea are must-haves, but thinking outside the box and including items like oil, vinegar, salt, pepper, basic spices, luggage racks, extra blankets for cooler seasons, fans for warmer months, and a multi-device charging block can make the difference between a 3-star and 5-star review for you.
4. Create an Efficient Entry Zone
You will never get a second chance to make a first impression, and the same goes for your entryway. If your guests can feel immediately comfortable and at home from the minute they open the door, it will help set the tone for their entire stay.
Consider adding hooks, shoe racks, a space for luggage, umbrellas/umbrella storage and a welcome poster outlining important information, such as how to operate keyless entry locks, which light switches are for what, and home security instructions, if applicable.
5. Optimize Small Spaces
Many Vancouver and Victoria Airbnb’s are basement suites, laneway homes, or garden suites, meaning they have a smaller footprint, so get creative and optimize the limited space you have by providing clever storage solutions for your guests, such as:
- Vertical storage
- Multi-functional furniture, like stackable stools or storage ottomans
- Under-bed storage
- Hidden storage solutions
6. Organize for Quick Turnovers Between Guests
Turnovers between guests can be quick, sometimes as short as five hours, so the better organized you are to clean and complete the turnover, the better. In an owner lock-off cabinet, ensure you have all items necessary to complete the turnover:
- Cleaning products like surface spray, bathroom cleaner, bath & tile cleaner, laundry detergent, window cleaner, etc., can be organized in an easy-to-grab portable caddy.
- Ensure you have rags, sponges, paper towels, toilet paper, garbage and recycling bags, coffee and tea, and extra toiletries organized in baskets.
- Create a linen and towel management system by labelling your shelves with the sizes of bedding and towels. Fold your laundered fitted sheet, flat sheet and one pillowcase so they are the same size, then store them in the second pillowcase.
7. Set up a Welcome Station
Make your guests’ stay enjoyable by ensuring they have all of the necessary information, like:
- Wi-fi details
- Check-out information
- Appliance guides
- Smart TV/Smart home operating instructions
- Local recommendations
- Emergency contact information
Use a binder to organize all of the information so it is accessible and easy to use. You can also include a small basket of locally curated goodies for your guests to enjoy.
8. Have an Emergency-Essentials Station
This could be as simple as a basket that includes a small first-aid kit, sunscreen, insect repellent, small flashlights with fresh batteries, and, if your unit is pet-friendly, a roll of doggie waste bags.
Small things will make a huge difference for you as a host, and for your guests and can often result in repeat guests and 5-star reviews.
If you’re struggling and need help to organize your Vancouver or Victoria Airbnb, contact our team of professional organizers today, so we can help you create a well-organized, easy-to-manage short-term rental.
