With over 20 years’ experience in property management and holiday rentals in the South of France, we know how much work it can take to get your house ready for the rental season. That’s why we’ve created the ultimate pre-season checklist so that you or your property manager don’t forget anything and everything is in tip-top order ready for your rental guests.
Many homeowners underestimate the amount of work it takes to get the house ready so we advise you to start early and allow several days to complete all tasks. Of course, it all depends on how long the house has been empty, how regularly it is being maintained, etc.
As a rule of thumb, we advise first of all to put yourself in the shoes of the guest. The minute they enter the premises, what is their first impression? What does it look like? What does it smell like? Is it uncluttered? Is it totally clean throughout? Is the outdoor furniture in good condition?
Are you looking to let your holiday home in the South of France? We can help! Read more
Try and view your villa through the eyes of the guest. Be aware that you cannot expect them to just ‘manage’ with a mechanism or an item that is not 100% functional. Just because you, your family or your friends have been ‘managing’ with that dodgy parasol for the last three years does not mean you can expect a paying guest to do the same. If the parasol is faulty or just plain difficult, fix it or provide a new one.
In our experience, some small issues can be overlooked by guests, certainly if they are unforeseen and resolved quickly. But if something more serious or foreseeable is wrong then all the smaller issues quickly amount to a whole list of complaints. That’s why we always say it’s better to spend more time prepping the house and making sure everything is working as expected, rather than having to fix something during a hot and busy season. At the end of the day, you’ll have to pay for it anyway so if guests make a compensation claim you might finish up paying much more than needed!
So, below you can find our in-depth checklist to make sure your holiday home is ready for rentals.
GENERAL
- Doors, windows, and gates
- Check that all interior and exterior locks work (doors, windows, garage, gates, …)
- Check the seals of doors and windows and ensure there is no broken or cracked glass
- Make sure you leave enough keys for your guests. Depending on the size of the property we advise leaving two sets of keys for guests’ use
- Roofing
- See if roofing has any stains missing tiles or leaks, no matter how small
- Check and clean gutters and drainage systems
- Check for water penetration and moisture/mould buildup in attic, ceilings, walls, and basements
- Check for standing water under drains
- Plumbing
- Check the main water supply, valves, and filters
- Check the sewers and septic tank
- Check and service water softening systems
- Check for leaks and mould around sinks, showers, toilets, bathtubs, etc.
- Ensure the hot water tank (cumulus) is functioning properly
- Ensure all sinks and tubs drain well and toilets flush properly
- Treat against limescale buildup on taps, shower heads, drains, kettle, coffee machine, etc.
- Test the water pressure of taps and showers
- Electrical
- Check circuit breaker and fuses, resolve frequent circuit breaks
- Check and test all outlets, plugs, switches, and electrical cords for exposed wiring and cables or other hazards
- Ensure functionality of all appliances (Our TIP! Test run all your appliances before the season eg electric shutters/blinds, washing machine, dryer, dishwasher, microwave, oven, fridge, freezer, hob, air conditioning units…)
- Ensure functionality of all technology – Wi-Fi, TV, speakers, remotes, gaming consoles, DVD-players, etc. (Our TIP! Log out of all personal accounts and leave spare batteries for remote controls and battery-driven appliances)
- Check and replace lightbulbs
- Heating & cooling
- Make sure that boilers, air conditioning units, heat pumps, chimneys, fireplaces, etc. are serviced regularly
- Test hot and cold water on all taps and showers
- Check and test air conditioning units and radiators, check the functionality of thermostats and vents, check for leaks (Our TIP! Issues with aircon units are a yearly occurrence and in most cases, these can be easily prevented by proper maintenance and servicing)
- Health & safety
- Check that your keybox is working properly and update the security code regularly
- Check your security system, remember that no security cameras are allowed inside the guest’s private spaces of the house/garden
- Test fire- and carbon monoxide alarms, provide spare batteries
- Provide fire extinguishers within date and fire blankets
- Provide a well-stocked first-aid kit
- Check that baby equipment is in good condition and safe to use – eg high chairs, cots, stairgates etc.
- Check against rodents and pests (Our TIP! If ants – or other pests – have been seen the previous summer then they will probably come back again, even though they might not be evident at the time you are checking. A good idea is to leave ant spray or similar available to guests)
Are you looking for a property manager to look after your second home in the Languedoc region? We can help! Read more
INSIDE
- General
- Check the structure of your rooms – check the walls, molding, and ceilings for any cracks, structural damage, mould, or humidity
- Perform general maintenance – touch-up paint, fix broken structures, …
- Assess the condition of all furniture and fix or replace if needed
- Store/lock away all your personal belongings – family photos, personal items and belongings, items of (emotional) value, etc.
- Kitchen
- Make sure kitchen equipment is working and in good condition, user manuals should be available to guests
- Run the dishwasher and washing machine to test they are working properly
- The kitchen is to be fully and generously equipped with unchipped and clean crockery, cutlery, glassware, and utensils (Our TIP! Provide extra (wine) glasses for guests as these are prone to cracking/breaking)
- Provide (recycling) bins
- Make sure gas bottles are set up and provide spare
- Bedrooms
- Make sure that mattresses are in a good state and that there are enough pillows per bed
- Inspect bedding, linen, and towels to be in good condition (Our TIP! Make sure that there is enough bedding and linen for two full changeovers, plus ideally some spare in case of stains or rips. Make sure that these are available to your cleaner; but not the guests! Mark your linen so it can’t get mixed up during laundry)
- Make sure that all bedding, linen, and towels are washed and ironed
- Bathrooms
- Check for mould or moisture spots (Our TIP! Yes, we have mentioned mould before – but having mould in the bathroom is a surefire way to getting complaints!)
- Assess showers and baths, check grouting and caulk
- Consider providing hand soap and body wash in the bathrooms and guest toilet. You cannot expect guests to buy handsoap for all toilets in a large villa for just one week
OUTSIDE
- Garden
- General maintenance – prune trees, trim hedges, plant/replace shrubs or flowers, check for holes in the ground/lawn, maintain lawn, fertilise plants, weed terraces and flower beds, examine plants for pests, clear pathways, etc.
- Check terracing and steps for loose/wobbly tiles and railings
- Check for wasps’ nests and other rodents or pests
- Check all outdoor furniture to be clean and in good condition. Cushions need to be clean and undamaged with no rain soiling. Rattan cannot be frayed. Tables and chairs to be solid and not wobbling
- Loungers to be sufficient for the property size. (Our TIP! A 4-bedroom property for 8 people should have 8 loungers)
- Parasols to be clean and easy to put up/take down
- Barbecue to be clean and safe, whether gas or charcoal. These would normally come with a manual so please leave this available to guests. If your commune has banned barbecues please make sure your guests are aware
- Check that all outside lights are working and replace if needed
- Check irrigation and timers are working
- Pool
- Service and test the pool pump, heat pump, and electrolyser (Our TIP! Test pool equipment well in advance early-mid Spring to allow for any necessary repairs)
- Check the pool and system for any leaks
- Check the integrity of tiling/liner/paintwork
- Check that the pool alarm and gates are functioning (Our TIP! Set the pool alarm to the right sensitivity, you want it to work well, but not so well that a gust of wind will trigger it)
- Depending on your agreement with the pool maintenance company, provide enough pool chemicals for the season
- Floaties/pool toys to be clean and without leaks, bin any old/punctured floats
- Leave a net and brush for your guests’ use
Are you looking to let your holiday home in the South of France? We can help! Read more
DEEP CLEAN
- Clean windows, doors, frames, shutters, and mosquito nets, and mirrors
- Dust and wipe all surfaces, tables, units, worktops, shelves, bookcases, radiators, etc.
- Dust ceiling (corners) for cobwebs
- Hoover and mop floors and skirting boards
- Kitchen – clean inside and outside of all cupboards and drawers, including the tops if these are exposed to dust and grease
- Clean fridge, freezer, and ensure all crockery, cutlery, and utensils are clean; also run the oven and dishwasher on a self-cleaning cycle
- Wash rugs, throws, curtains, etc.
- Clean equipment – TV, fans, speakers, Wi-Fi-box, etc.
- Make the beds and dress sofas, leave out towels, bath mats, and tea towels
- Clean bins, make sure all bathrooms and toilets have a small bin with bin bag
- Provide a working hoover and mop for your guests’ use as well as basic cleaning products
HOUSE MANUAL
This is an important document. Ithere is anything you need to bring to the guests’ attention, this is the place to put it. We realise that not every guest will read it cover to cover but if important information isn’t written down you cannot expect guests to know and if an issue ensues then you have no comeback. It is not reasonable to complain that the bins haven’t been put out on the right day if the guests haven’t been made aware, for example.
- Make sure the Wi-Fi code is readily accessible
- If tap water shouldn’t be drunk then make sure this is clearly stated. Provide bottled water as part of the Welcome pack
- Have the house manual easily available with up-to-date information
- Ensure that emergency numbers are listed – for the property manager, yourself as owner, and in addition, emergency numbers for police, ambulance, and fire brigade. (Our TIP! Leave a number to a, preferably English-speaking, local doctor and dentist)
- Include important information specific to your house/village – when are the bins picked up, is the water drinkable, where are recycling bins, supermarket opening hours, bus routes, etc.
- Tips and ideas as to great local restaurants, activities, and places to visit
Our TIP! Once you have finished getting your property ready, check all the spaces against the photos in your online listings and make sure the spaces are as advertised.
Many owners also leave a welcome hamper for their guests. This doesn’t have to be overly fancy and would usually consist of a (couple) of bottles of local wine and beer with some nice nibbles for a French aperitif. For a standard family villa, a budget of €20-€30 for a welcome basket is more than sufficient and will definitely buy you goodwill with your guests! (Our TIP! We also recommend you leave out bin bags, toilet paper, hand soap, dish soap, sponges, dishwasher tablets, laundry detergent, coffee, tea, and basic cooking ingredients like some cooking oil, salt, and pepper.)
Have you ticked off all the above points when getting your house ready for holiday rentals? Great, you can now relax knowing that your guests will have a wonderful holiday!
