The first impression of your holiday home is not formed by the photos, but at the door. A guest walks in and sees within a few seconds whether everything is clean and well kept. A hair in the shower or a forgotten crumb on the worktop can already colour a review.
That is why cleaning between two stays is one of the most important tasks in letting. In the sector, this is called a changeover or turnover. In this article, you will read how to organise that changeover, so that every guest finds a property that is ready.
Timing between check-out and check-in
Everything starts with a realistic time window. Many owners choose a check-out in the morning and a check-in in the afternoon. The time in between is your working window. That window must be large enough for the cleaning, a check and unexpected problems.
How much time you need depends on the property. A studio takes less work than a villa for twelve people. Measure a few times how long a full changeover really takes, including washing, checking and restocking. Add a margin to that. That margin absorbs a late departure or an extra stain.
Be cautious with early check-ins and late check-outs. Only offer them if the calendar allows it. A guest who arrives early while the cleaning team is still at work gets a bad first impression.
A fixed checklist per room
A good changeover does not depend on the memory of whoever is cleaning. It follows a fixed checklist, room by room. That way nothing is forgotten, even when someone else steps in.
A starting point:
- Kitchen: empty the dishwasher, empty and wipe the fridge, clean the hob and oven, remove rubbish and recycling, wipe the worktop and cupboards.
- Bathroom: clean the shower, bath and toilet thoroughly, polish the mirror and taps, check the drain for hairs, replace towels.
- Bedrooms: change the beds, look under the beds, check wardrobes and drawers for items left behind.
- Living area: vacuum and mop, plump up the sofa and cushions, clean the remote controls and put them back in their place.
- General: close windows and doors, set the heating correctly, lights off, check the terrace or garden.
Have the checklist ticked off on paper or in an app. That way you know afterwards what was done.
Checking with photos
A checklist says that something has been done. A photo shows it. After every changeover, ask for a series of photos of each room, always from the same angle. That way you can see remotely whether the property is ready.
Those photos have another advantage. They record the condition of the property before the next guest arrives. If a guest later reports that something was missing or damaged, you can look back. In the case of damage caused by a guest, they also help to show when the damage occurred.
Linen without stress
Linen is often the biggest logistical problem in a changeover. Washing and drying on site takes time, and on a busy day that time is not there. So work with several sets per bed and per bathroom.
A simple principle: one set in use, one clean set ready, one set in the wash. That way clean linen is ready at every changeover, and nobody has to wait for a tumble dryer. For larger properties or busy periods, a linen service that delivers clean sets and collects dirty ones can save time.
Check linen when making the beds. Stains, holes or discoloured towels quickly catch guests' eyes. Replace them straight away instead of using them one more time.
Restocking supplies
Guests expect a number of basic products. Think of toilet paper, hand soap, washing-up liquid, dishwasher tablets, bin bags, coffee and tea. Record for each property what must always be present and in what quantity.
Have whoever cleans count the stock at every changeover. Keep a small reserve stock in a locked cupboard. That way nothing runs out between two big shops. Note what is almost finished, so that it is ordered in time.
Spotting and reporting damage
Whoever cleans sees the property more thoroughly than anyone else. That makes the cleaning team your first line for damage and defects. A leaking tap, a loose door handle, a crack in a tile: the earlier it is reported, the smaller the problem.
Agree on a fixed way of reporting. A photo with a short description, through an app or a fixed chat, works well. Make clear who decides on repairs and how quickly they must be done. Damage that would bother the next guest must be fixed or reported before check-in.
If damage caused by a guest is suspected, report it quickly through the booking platform. Platforms often apply short deadlines.
A deep clean each season
A changeover keeps the property clean, but not everything is tackled every time. So plan a thorough clean a few times a year. Quiet periods are best suited for that.
Think of the outside of the windows, the extractor hood and filters, mattresses and pillows, curtains, grout in the bathroom and the inside of cupboards. At the same time, check smoke alarms and whether appliances work. Block a few days in your calendar for this.
Same-day changeovers in high season
In summer and during school holidays, guests often follow each other on the same day. Then there is no room for improvisation. Schedule the cleaning team well in advance. Make sure a replacement is available if someone falls ill. Get extra linen and supplies ready. Send guests a clear check-out instruction, so that they leave on time and do not leave the property in chaos.
Help with your changeovers
At YourDomi, our own cleaning team handles every changeover with a fixed checklist and a photo check, and we provide linen where appropriate. If you would like to know how that would work for your property, request a personal proposal.
