The Essential Vacation Rental Inventory Checklist [+ PDF Download]

Taking care of your vacation rental business means taking care of your guests. You want to ensure your guests have an enjoyable stay. That will keep you competitive, and give you the best chance of receiving great reviews and ratings, which can lead to more business.

Trying to fulfill guests’ expectations can be tricky, though. But you can bet vacationers might expect at least the same comforts and amenities they have at home — and probably a little more on vacation.

A given is making sure everything within your vacation rental looks clean and works well. Ensure that the space is well-furnished and well-stocked with all that will help your guests feel welcomed and at home.

From the front door to the back door and all around your property, there are a lot of items to keep track of. A vacation rental inventory checklist is a great way to help ensure you have everything necessary for your properties.

You can download a printable vacation rental inventory checklist pdf here to keep you and your team on track.

Download Vacation Rental Inventory Checklist

How to Use a Vacation Rental Inventory Checklist

As guests come and go, you want to account for every vacation rental furnishing, toiletries, kitchen essentials, and more. To give your guests the best experience possible, you need to know everything is in place before they arrive. You also must have a way to know that everything is still in its place after your guests leave. With its clear headings, simple checkboxes, and thorough items list, Safely’s vacation rental inventory checklist can be handed to cleaning staff to easily keep your short-term rental properly stocked and ready to delight your guests.

Vacation Rental Inventory Must-Haves

When you’re scaling your vacation rental business, you need all your operations to be as clear, simple, and repeatable as possible. This includes inventory checks, whether they’re part of a standard turnover, or something you undertake separately every few weeks.

Here’s a look at our checklist that can simplify the inventory process for your team and help ensure your guests experience a short-term rental stay they’ll want to repeat.

Kitchen

The kitchen probably requires the most attention out of any room in your vacation rental when it comes to inventory. Guests need the option to cook, and they might expect to have everything they have at home. They will notice basic items that might be missing. Don’t give them that chance.

Keep your guests happy by including the following kitchen essentials:

• Refrigerator
• Microwave
• Coffee maker
• Dishwasher
• Oven and stove top

Aside from those essentials, you also should make sure your guests have the following cooking and dining items:

• Plates (big and small)
• Bowls
• Glasses (drinking glasses, wine glasses)
• Mugs for hot beverages
• Flatware and cutlery
• A big serving platter
• A big mixing bowl
• Utensils for serving food (a ladle, salad tongs, steak knives)
• Utensils for cooking (spatula, whisk, stirring spoons)
• A skillet
• A large pot with a lid
• Oven racks and a cookie sheet
• Saucepans and lids
• Cutting boards
• Rolling pin
• Ice cream scooper
• Pizza cutter
• Wine bottle opener
• Colander
• Clean kitchen towels
• Sponges and soap for cleaning dishes

In addition to your guests’ happiness, you often think about safety. Without a vacation rental inventory checklist, here are some items that might get overlooked:

• Fire extinguisher (required in most states for all vacation rentals)
• Hot oven mitts, pot holders

While going through this list, it’s important to make sure that all appliances and cooking devices are in good working order. Broken appliances not only can be frustrating for guests, but they also can be dangerous.

Pantry

No one wants to buy an entire package of salt when they stay in a vacation rental. Be sure to stock your pantry with condiments and seasonings that provide convenience for guests. Larger property management companies do not provide most of these items, so they make a nice touch. Here are some of the essentials to include:

• Salt
• Pepper
• Sugar
• Flour
• Oil for cooking (this is a nice touch)
• Vinegar
• Ketchup and mustard
• Cooking spray
• Toothpicks
• Napkins
• Paper towels
• Coffee filters
• Dry, non-dairy creamer
• Tea bags

Additionally, it’s good to include any other basic spices that come to your mind. They’re usually inexpensive and guests will appreciate the thoughtfulness.

Bathrooms

The cleanliness of a room or home has long been a critical factor in whether guests enjoy their stay. You don’t want to miss any dirt or leave off items a guest would expect to find in their bathroom.

When thinking about bathroom items, you’ll want to highlight good hygienic practices. Here’s a sample of what to include:

• Plenty of toilet paper
• Hairdryer
• Full-sized towels, hand towels, and washcloths
• Towel rack
• A box of tissues
• Hand soap and facial soap
• Shampoo and conditioner
• Shower gel
• Lotion
• Shower curtains and liners (if needed)
• Daily shower cleaning spray
• Plunger and toilet brush
• Trash can with extra garbage bags

As a rule of thumb, try to avoid toiletries with strong fragrances, as they may not be appealing to everyone. Additionally, you’ll want to make sure that the lotions, shampoos, and hygiene products that you choose are non-allergenic.

Generally speaking, fragrance-free toiletries are better for those with allergies and sensitive skin. Although some products may advertise that they’re hypoallergenic, it’s important to read the ingredients to be sure there are no added perfumes and colorants.

Living Room

Having the right setup in your living room will help your guests get the most out of their stay. Aside from the list of items that you keep in this space, you’ll want to select decor that helps create a mood of tranquility and comfort. Here are some of the things you can include:

• Comfortable seating
• A coffee table
• Board games and a deck of cards
• TV
• Extra throw pillows and blankets

Also, you might want to include extra bedding or a pull-out couch. This will help accommodate larger groups that might need some extra sleeping space.

Bedrooms

While guests will often check to see what’s in the kitchen drawers and cupboards when they first arrive, they will look at the bedrooms on your listings. So, it’s important to think carefully about bedrooms not just as a place of comfort and relaxation, but also as an opportunity for some great marketing imagery.

Ideally, bedrooms should include:

• Linens with a high thread count
• Plumped up pillows
• High-quality, light-blocking curtains
• A ceiling fan or air conditioning system
• Hangers
• Bedside lamps
• Night tables
• Full-length mirror

It’s helpful to include extra sheets, blankets, and pillowcases inside of a set of drawers or wardrobe, and you should also provide blankets for colder climates.

Dining Room

Dining rooms should make the most of the available space, and one way to do this is with a foldable table. Bulky furniture will make the space feel smaller. Here are some of the dining room-specific items to include on your inventory checklist:

• A dining table that can easily accommodate all of your guests
• Sufficient chairs and seating
• Atmospheric lighting
• Art or wall decorations
• A set of placemats for the table

Also, a nice way to welcome guests and enhance their overall experience is with a complimentary bottle of wine or a box of chocolates. This can be included as part of your pre-arrival process. Just have your cleaning team pick up the ready-made gifts when they pack the linens for a turnover.

Outdoor Area

Depending on your vacation rental, you may want to include some basic amenities to complement the outdoor area of the property. This could be a highly sellable feature of your property, so think of how you can set it up for some eye-catching photography.

Here are some inventory items to consider:

• Foldable chairs
• Outdoor lighting, both for safety and decorative reasons
• Decorative low-maintenance plants and landscaping
• An outdoor grill

Outdoor amenities are a definite plus, especially if you are managing rentals in coastal areas or with picturesque scenery. In these circumstances, you might want to consider also including water toys, life jackets, and umbrellas among your stored items.

For vacation rentals located in colder or mountainous areas, you also could include bear spray and blankets for guests.

Miscellaneous

While stocking your vacation rental inventory, the goal is to accommodate your guests as best as possible. Depending on your listing, it might be advantageous to include items that cater to pet owners and family needs. Here are some details that may prompt your guests to leave five-star reviews after their stay:

To better accommodate your furry guests, be sure to include:

• Water and food bowls
• Pet bed or giant pillow
• Pet toys, sticks, and balls
• Treats

To accommodate families with small children, it would be a good idea to have the following on hand:

• Crib that meets safety standards
• High chair
• Baby gates
• Electrical outlet covers
• Locks for windows and cabinets

Here are some items that can add to the convenience, cleanliness, and safety of your guests:

• First aid kit
• Flashlight
• Carbon monoxide and gas detectors
• Fast, reliable WiFi
• Washer and dryer
• Laundry detergent and dryer sheets
• Trash bags
• Cleaning supplies
• Broom and dustpan
• Vacuum cleaner

Last but not least, it can be a big help to include a guestbook for your guests that details local attractions, restaurants, and information about their reservation. You should consider leaving it someplace easily spotted by your guests. Some good options are on the coffee table or near the television. An even better alternative is to include a digital guidebook for your guests. That way, they can easily access all the information they need about their stay.

Covering Repairs and Replacements

If you notice damage or that something is missing during your inventory, repair or replace the items as soon as possible. This will allow you to keep your reservations for guests.

You can use short-term rental insurance to cover the repairs and replacements if the damage or missing items were caused by previous guests.

When deciding on the right short-term rental Insurance, here’s what you need:

• Coverage for property contents
• Coverage for accidents and bodily injury
• Coverage for structural property damage

The best short-term rental insurance doesn’t just cover you for the big things like a damaged floor or oven, it also makes it easy for you to make claims for items as small as a broken dish or remote control.

Accidents and unexpected events are bound to happen. When it comes to the security of your vacation rental and all of its amenities, you want to be able to trust that guests, homeowners, and your business are in safe hands.

Consider Checking Vacation Rental Insurance Off Your List

Did you remember to download Safely’s vacation rental inventory checklist? You also might consider adding vacation rental insurance to the items you check off today. Safely can give you short-term rental insurance to help protect your business and a guest screening tool. Reach out to a Safely representative today.

FAQs about vacation rental inventories

What should I stock in my vacation rental?

Stock items that cover your guests’ basic needs and help them to have a more comfortable stay. Some of the items that you should stock include kitchen utensils, dishware, and paper products, comfortable bedding, and toiletries.

How do I make my vacation rental stand out?

To really impress your guests, consider offering them extra amenities, like 24-hour check-in and TV streaming services. Additionally, giving them a welcome basket can really pay off and make your guests’ experience much more enjoyable.