Airbnb Check-out Instructions – Everything to Include

Wondering what to include in your Airbnb check-out instructions?

We’ve got you covered with this simple list, including a sample “check-out instructions form” that you can emulate for your own listing. We’ll show you how to quickly and effortlessly write professional, easy-to-follow, SuperHost-level instructions today.

But before we talk about the “how,” let’s talk about the “when.” Timing is everything when it comes to sending out your check-out instructions.

When Should You Send Airbnb Check-out Instructions?

If possible, send the check-out instructions one to two days before your guests check out.

Why? Because, when people are on vacation, they might not be keeping close track of what day it is. You have a couple of goals here. First, you want to provide check-out instructions for your guest without overloading them with information (like the house rules, check-in instructions, and so on). This is also a chance to gently remind them that check-out is coming soon.

By following up with this timeline, you make sure that they check out on time and actually follow your directions. When in doubt, always put yourself in your guest’s shoes and ask: “What would I want my Airbnb host to do?” Most people don’t mind getting instructions in advance.

With that said, here’s everything you need to include in your check-out instructions.

7 Things You Should Include in Your Airbnb Check-out Instructions

1. Check-out Time
2. Bedding
3. Dishes and Trash
4. Lights and AC
5. Windows
6. Doors and Keys
7. Thank You / Goodbye

Check-out Time

This is 100% paramount to a great Airbnb experience, for hosts and guests alike. You need time to clean up before your next guest arrives, and if your previous guest isn’t checking out on time, you won’t have enough time to do everything that you need to do.

Include a clear check-out time and you’ll usually have no problems. Likewise, your guest (if they are considerate), doesn’t want to overstay their welcome. Sometimes they want to know when to leave.

Bedding and Bed Sheets

Tell your guests where they should put the bedsheets and linens before they leave. Strip them and leave them on the bed, put them in the bathtub or shower, et cetera. Or, if you think this is too much, don’t tell them anything and strip the bed yourself. When guests leave sheets on the bed, it’s easier to see if there are stains or tears that need to be corrected than when they are wadded up in a ball on the bed.

Dishes and Trash

Remind them to put their dishes in the dishwasher (if applicable). That way, you keep dirty dishes contained until you’re able to clean them. And if you provide detergent tabs, you can ask them to run it for you, too.

It’s perfectly acceptable to ask your guests to tie up or take out their trash—especially if they’ve been staying for several days.

Lights and AC

Also, remind guests to turn off the lights and AC. You don’t want unnecessary energy costs to stack up and eat away at your profits. You don’t need air conditioning running when no one is at home. But make sure the heat is set to at least 64 degrees in the winter so your pipes don’t freeze.

Windows

Remind your guests to close and lock all the windows—specifically any that they’ve opened. This is an important security step that many hosts miss.

The Key and the Door

Tell your guests to lock the door, and then let them know where they should leave the key. Maybe you want them to put the key back in the lockbox, for instance. In that case, make sure you include the code.

Helpful Hints for Your Guests

Make sure to sprinkle in tips strictly for the guest’s benefit. This way, you let your guests know that you’re ultimately looking out for them, in the end. Here are a few examples:

• Log off accounts on the SmartTV (if they’re not provided by you).
• Check under the beds for any belongings that might have been dropped under there.
• Remind them to take any of their food home from the fridge.

Important Notes

If you’re charging a high cleaning fee, don’t demand too much from your guests. There shouldn’t be a long list of check-out demands if they’re already paying a fee for those things to be taken care of. They are, after all, on vacation; they usually expect some sort of special treatment.

In late 2022, Airbnb updated their terms and process for pricing to address cleaning task concerns and fees. See the Airbnb press release regarding these changes.

Along the same vein as the previous point, your list of demands is going to vary for a whole house rental and a shared room in an apartment. If you’re renting out the whole house, you can obviously request a little bit more.

Sample Airbnb Check-out Instructions

You want to keep your check-out instructions short and to the point, so simply create a short checklist of items that you require guests to do before they check out. It helps to include the absolute essentials at first, and then all of the additional things you request from your guests (in descending order of importance).

Why is this effective? When the first item on the list is something they obviously have to do, it’s a better transition into all of the other things that aren’t necessary, but desirable. They are the things that all other Airbnbs don’t necessarily require guests to do, but still allow your rental to have a quick and seamless conversion from guest to guest. It puts those two categories on the same pedestal.

For example, here’s a sample that you can emulate to create perfect Airbnb check-out instructions:

“Thank you for staying at our Airbnb!

Before you go, we have a few things we ask you to do:

1. When you leave, lock the door from the inside and leave the keys on the rack that’s attached to the front door.

2. The check-out time is at 11 AM. If you haven’t left the house by then, we’re going to have to charge you a late fee of $20. (We need time to get the house ready for our next guests, so please be considerate of check-out times)

3. Check under the bed for any belongings you might have left behind, and log out of your Netflix or HBO.

4. Turn off all the lights and the AC.

5. Please strip the bed and leave the bedsheets in the bathtub.

6. Make sure all the windows are shut.

7. Put all the dishes in the dishwasher.

8. Have a great time at your next destination! If you enjoyed staying here, please leave a review. If there were any problems, or you have any suggestions, email me and let me know how I can improve.

Thanks again!

As a general rule of thumb, keep the list of requirements below 10 unless you’re charging bargain-bin prices and you have no cleaning fee. In that case, guests might expect to do a bit more cleaning.

Do You Say “Goodbye” With Check-out Instructions?

Some people think that extensive “Airbnb check-out instructions” lists are a little bit ridiculous. They see it as their job to clean up the rental after the guest checks out. Other people, however, have no problem asking their guests to put in a little bit more elbow grease. After all, it’s not a hotel; there’s a reason you get better prices.

What do you think? Where do you draw the line between tasks that you consider to be your responsibility and tasks that you require your guests to do before they leave?