VRMA and VRHP launch cleaning guidelines for SafeHome campaign

The Vacation Rental Housekeeping Professionals [ VRHP ], a subsidiary of the Vacation Rental Management Association [ VRMA ] has created a new set of cleaning guidelines for managers and owners of vacation rental properties to limit the spread of the coronavirus in the United States.

The guidelines come into effect as part of the joint VRMA and VRHP SafeHome campaign, which aims to empower association members to adopt a consistent set of cleaning safety standards and to openly communicate with guests and employees about the precautions they are taking.

Recommendations for augmenting existing cleaning programs include:

Disinfection and sanitisation techniques

Proper use of personal protective equipment [PPE]

Recommended products, cleaning agents and equipment

Updated cleaning and inspection processes for soft surfaces, upholstery and linens

Trash removal and maintenance processes

Communicating expanded cleaning processes to guests

“Housekeepers are responsible for completely resetting properties and creating a like-new experience for arriving guests. These new guidelines are intended to enhance the safety of properties, and provide more peace of mind for property owners and guests,” he added.

Both the VRMA and the VRHP say they will continue their efforts to educate and inform members and the professional vacation rental management community of evolving guidelines and recommendations, in order to provide a safe and enjoyable environment to guests, staff and the general public.

 

Vacation Rental Cleaning [Options & Costs]

There are many components involved in managing a vacation rental property. How you plan to keep it clean is arguably one of the highest priorities to consider, which is why it is crucial that you explore all your options before choosing the one that works best for you. Decide well in advance whether you plan to hire a cleaning service, do the work yourself, or use a company like Grand Welcome, which offers a comprehensive vacation rental management system.

Vacation Rental Cleaning Options

When guests arrive at your vacation rental property, they expect it to be immaculately clean, which means you need to pay attention to the details you may otherwise overlook. If clean dishes are still in the dishwasher instead of the cupboards or the picture frames have a layer of dust, it can quickly diminish the feeling of luxury they were hoping for.

House Cleaning vs. Housekeeping

Generally speaking, the term “housekeeping” is used to describe the type of cleaning that is done on an ongoing basis between guests. This type of service should be supplemented with a deep house cleaning at least once a year, or as needed. Deeper cleaning would include items like carpet cleaning, washing curtains and large appliances, and repairs and maintenance.

How to Clean Your Airbnb or Rental Property Yourself

Do you have to clean Airbnb properties? Yes, whether you are the property owner or a guest, you will need to do some cleaning in your vacation rental. If you’ve ever been an Airbnb quest, you were most likely charged a cleaning fee to cover some of the cost of housekeeping, and you also may have been asked to wash dishes or take the trash to outside garbage cans.

Vacation Rental Cleaning Services

Hiring someone to perform vacation rental cleaning services may be a better option if you do not live near your property or you want the job done by an expert. Someone from a cleaning service will have mastered a few trade skills, like how to complete each task in the most efficient and effective manner, as well as how to make a bed housekeeping-style so everything looks professional and inviting.

 

RENTER OBLIGATIONS

PLANNING FOR YOUR ARRIVAL

Your rental home will be cleaned and prepared for your arrival at 4pm on the day your rental begins.  There will be 2 rolls of toilet paper in each bathroom, 1 paper towel roll at the kitchen sink, and pump-hand soaps at each sink. Beds will be made up with freshly cleaned linens and bath towels will be provided.

BEFORE YOU DEPART

Each renter should complete the following no later than 10:00 am on the final day of the rental:

Replace any furniture that was moved.

Remove trash from any garbage cans. Place used bags in town trash bins. Place recyclables in recyclables bin.

Leave the kitchen clean: Wipe countertops, and wash any dirty dishes.

Remove all food from the fridge or cupboards.

Turn any lights and appliances off.

Ensure any exterior windows and doors are closed and locked.

Reset the thermostat to temperature provided in welcome letter

Double-check all drawers and closets for personal items.

WAVERING FROM THE RENTAL AGREEMENT TERMS

You may be charged up to $1,000.00 additional in the event of a violation of our “no smoking”, “no pet” (if property is NOT pet friendly), or “maximum occupancy”, policies or neglectful damages which occurred during the tenancy. Additional housekeeping charges will be applied in the event for the need of extra cleaning by our staff and the occurrence of exceeding the maximum occupancy of the cottage. We charge $35 per hour for additional cleaning above and beyond normal expected cleaning times plus one hour.

DAMAGE PROTECTION PLAN

  1. As a part of your stay, you may purchase a Vacation Rental Damage Protection plan designed to cover unintentional damages to the rental unit interior that occur during your stay provided they are disclosed to management prior to check-out. If purchased, the policy will pay a maximum benefit of $3,000.00. Any damages that exceed $3,000.00 or are not covered under the plan will be charged to the credit card on file. If, during your stay at one of our rental properties, an insured person causes any damage to real or personal property of the unit as a result of inadvertent acts or omissions, the Insurer will reimburse the Insured for the cost of repair or replacement of such property up to a maximum benefit of $3,000.00.

INCIDENT MANAGEMENT

Vacation Rentals and it’s Property Owners regret that they cannot be held responsible for failure of cable or Dish TV, high speed internet, or any special/unique property amenities. If an appliance breaks, there is a plumbing, heating, or cooling issue, we will make every effort to resolve the problem with as little inconvenience to our guest as possible.

 

Checklist for cleaning and prepping your vacation rental

Guests have successfully booked your vacation home meaning you did a great job on your property listing with Owner Direct. Congratulations! Now what? What should you do next to make sure you don’t fail the expectations of your guests? The answer: Go clean up and get your vacation rental ready for welcoming your guests. In the era of COVID-19 and heightened guest sensitivity upon us, having a clean and sanitized home is more important than ever.

Cleaning vacation rental checklist

Clean ALL your kitchen equipment and appliances (e.g. coffee maker, microwave oven, refrigerator, stove top, oven, grill, etc.).

Replace or remove defective or broken appliances, including light bulbs.

Replace furnace and air filters.

Empty dishwasher, washer, dryer, garbage bins, and fireplace (remove ashes).

Organize pantry and cupboards.

Replenish coffee filters, dish soap, hand soap, detergent, trash bags, etc.

Provide clean pot holders, dish towels and a new dish sponge.

Clean glass windows and doors to perfection. This is even more important when there’s a beautiful view through it, otherwise fingerprints, dust, dirt or hard water residues will ruin the view. Here’s a quick guide for cleaning glass windows and doors (applies to mirrors too).

Check the battery of the TV remote controls and smoke detectors. Replace as needed.

Vacuum floor, carpet, rugs, and sofa, including under seat cushions and furniture.

Dust and clean furniture, vents, blinds, lamps, ceiling fans, air conditioners, etc.

Wash rugs, curtains and blinds as needed.

Change bed sheets and pillowcases. For comforters, make sure it is not stained or spilled with anything or you will have to have them laundered. Opt for white bedding or other light neutral colors beige, ivory, taupe, black and gray to give your bedroom a hotel vibe.

Remove your personal belongings inside closets and drawers (powder tables, bedside tables, etc.).

Clean, scrub and sanitize toilet and bathrooms (walls, floors, bathtub, toilet, flush, door, faucets, shower, etc.).

Remove hair buildups in the drains.

Provide clean linens, hand towels, bath towels and washcloths.

Replace toilet flappers and toilet bowl brushes as needed.

Clean dryer lint trap and washing machine.

 

Short-term rentals providing updated cleaning guidelines due to pandemic

As we come up on a holiday weekend and more states are relaxing restrictions, people are considering getting away, but within driving distance and staying in short term rentals.

They’ve also released updated cleaning guidelines for property owners, things like disinfecting high-touch surfaces, building in time between bookings to avoid back-to-back stays, and stocking antibacterial soap, cleaners and hand sanitizer for guests.

Guests should also ask questions before booking.

“And it will be great for the property owners to hear those concerns directly from the incoming guests, so they can continue to make adjustments to attract those guests and figure out what they need to market and publish out on the various platforms,”

says guests should also ask about the surrounding community where they plan to stay, what stage of reopening are they at, and about things like mask requirements. “It’s a great way to open up that conversation with the property owner and also to determine are there any other concerns that anybody’s got that the property owner can address or that the guest wants to bring up,”

You’ll also want to ask about refunds and flexibility in canceling, because you don’t know if an area may suddenly see a surge in cases and have to close down again.