VRBO checkout instructions

[John Underwood]

Curious to know what everyone else uses for checkout instructions.

Getting ready to make some minor updates to my rental agreement that renters electronically sign/agree to when the rent on HA/VRBO.

I can't find a way to do this on Airbnb except to add it to rules section. HA/VRBO allows me to upload my house rules as an attachment.

More specifically in regards to sheets on beds they have slept in and dirty towels.

Do you have them strip the beds that have been slept in and leave sheets by washing machine?

As I have many check in and check outs on same day I'd like to make things as efficient for housekeeper as possible.

I have a checkout time of 11AM and check in of 4PM. This gives time to wash sheets make beds and clean a 3 bedroom 2 bath house.

I have spare sheets but I prefer this just be all done on site. I also have a new super capacity washer and dryer to help minimize loads of laundry.

Most days the cleaner cleans house on same day as people check out so I'm ready for those last minute reservations when I still have a few open days. But there might be a time when she comes the next day so I don't want them to start a load of laundry.

I guess I could request this on a case by case basis, but would rather standardize and automate as much as possible so that things run smoothly with minimal input from me.

What are your best practices regarding checkout instructions?

[Julie McCoy]

I have them load and start the dishwasher, take out the trash, turn off the heat/air, and lock all the doors/windows.

Like you, my check-out is 11am, and check-in is 4pm.  I do allow same-day check-ins and frequently have them.

I do not ask them to strip the beds - this is at my housekeeper's request, so they can better identify any stains or damage to the linens (easier when it's on the bed than in a pile on the floor).  At one (larger) house laundry is done on-site, the other two (smaller houses) it's done off-site which is far more efficient.

I don't want to rely on the guests doing much of the work - first, I don't feel that's a very good guest experience, and second, guests frequently won't do things as instructed or the way I'd like them to be done.  As a quality-control element, it's better to have my housekeeper handle it.  (it only takes a minute to strip a bed, anyway)