The Essential Vacation Rental Inventory Checklist [+ PDF Download]

Market standards are changing and so are guest expectations. To stay competitive, you want to make sure that you can provide your guests with smooth services and everything they need. You don’t want to be receiving complaints or worse: The dreaded “not as described” comments that deter future guests from booking a stay.

To do this, you need a way of keeping tabs on the contents of your short-term rental so that you can immediately know if something breaks or goes missing. This piece will give you an overview of what to look out for during inspections room-by-room.

We’ve also created a detailed printable pdf vacation rental inventory checklist for you to download and check off as you go. That way, you can quickly scan properties and make sure that everything is in place before guests arrive.

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 our checklist to help you make that process easier for you and your team, and which you can also use to see that you’re providing guests with everything they might need for a fantastic stay.

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 expect to have everything that they’d have in their own home—so they’ll immediately notice if you haven’t given them at least the basics.

In order to keep your guests happy, you’ll want to include these essential appliances:

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

Aside from that, include the following for dining and cooking.

• 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

To keep your guests safe, you’ll especially need the following:

• Fire extinguisher
• Hot oven mitts

While going through this list, it’s important to make sure that all appliances and cooking devices are in good working order. Broken appliances can be extremely frustrating for guests and can lead to a bad review.

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. 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
• 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

According to research, guests view cleanliness as their top determining factor when deciding where to stay. 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)
• 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, toiletries that are fragrance-free 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 that there are no added perfumes and colorants.

Living room

Having the right setup in your living room space 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, the first thing they’ll look at in your listings are the bedrooms. 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 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, while remembering that bulky furniture will make that 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 decoration
• 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 box of chocolates, which you can include as part of your pre-arrival process by having ready-made gifts that your cleaning team can pick up along with the packed linens for a turnover.

Outdoor area

Depending on the type of 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 could also include bear spray and blankets for guests to wrap up in.

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 will make your guests want 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’s best 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 additional items that you’ll want to include to ensure 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’ll want to leave the book in a place where guests can find it immediately. 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

Finally, it’s important to protect your business by making sure the amenities you’ve invested in are covered with short-term rental insurance.

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. And 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.

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, spices and tea bags, 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, gifting a welcome basket can really pay off and make your guests’ experience much more enjoyable.