Maintenance & cleaning of a holiday let
Tips for cleaning and maintaining your holiday home
If you want to rent out your holiday let successfully, it’s essential that the accommodation is well-maintained and equipped with functioning appliances and technical devices. This leads to happier guests, better reviews, higher occupancy, and ultimately a more consistent income. That’s why it’s worth investing regularly in the upkeep and maintenance of your holiday property.
1. Final cleaning: clean the holiday home yourself or hire a service?
Option 1 – Cleaning the holiday home yourself
If you live close to your holiday home or apartment, you may be able to handle the cleaning yourself.
Remember to allow enough time for the cleaning required.
Keep in mind that with good occupancy, you may only have a few hours between guest departures in the morning and new arrivals in the late afternoon.
Option 2 – Hiring a cleaning service for your holiday let: What should you consider?
If you’re unable to take care of the cleaning yourself, it’s important to hire a reliable holiday home cleaning service. When choosing a provider, keep the following points in mind:
Compare costs and options: Look into holiday let cleaning prices beforehand and weigh the pros and cons of hiring a private cleaner versus a professional cleaning company.
Create a clear cleaning checklist: Provide detailed instructions so the cleaning staff know exactly what needs to be done in your holiday home.
Prepare supplies: Make sure the necessary cleaning materials are available, unless the service provider brings their own.
Pool maintenance: If your property has a pool, you may need a specialist company to handle both cleaning and maintenance.
Outdoor upkeep: For a tidy outdoor area, consider hiring a gardener or caretaker who can regularly mow the lawn, water plants, and trim hedges and bushes seasonally.
Key handover: Check in advance whether the cleaning service or caretaker can manage guest key handovers as well - this can save you time and avoid having to coordinate an additional person.
2. Be prepared for unexpected problems and damage
Unexpected issues - a burst pipe, a broken window, or a faulty appliance can happen at any time. To handle these situations quickly, it’s helpful to keep a list of reliable repair professionals or local technicians who are available at short notice.
For small tasks, like changing the light bulb, your cleaning staff may be able to help. For small tasks, like replacing a light bulb, your cleaning staff may be able to help. But for larger or more complex problems such as blocked pipes, electrical faults, or structural damage, it’s best to call qualified professionals to ensure the repairs are carried out safely and correctly.
3. Tips for seasonal cleaning of a holiday home or apartment
At the start of each rental season, a thorough deep clean is essential. This helps ensure everything is in perfect condition and gives you the chance to carry out small repairs or update your inventory where needed.
Below are some practical steps to help you prepare your property:
1. Deep cleaning
Clean the windows, wash the curtains, and shampoo any carpets if necessary.
2. Check furniture
Review the condition of all furniture and replace any pieces that are damaged or outdated.
3. Check mattresses
Inspect all mattresses for comfort and cleanliness and replace them if needed.
4. Safety check
Test smoke detectors, fire extinguishers, and other safety equipment to ensure they are working properly.
5. Appliance check
Test all appliances - Wi-Fi, dishwasher, washing machine, TV, air conditioning, and heating to spot and resolve any issues early.
6. Kitchen inventory
Make sure there are enough plates, glasses, and cutlery. Keeping an inventory list helps you easily check during cleaning intervals if items need replacing.
7. Outdoor area maintenance
Is the grill clean? Are the garden furniture pieces intact? Make sure outdoor spaces are tidy so guests can fully enjoy the terrace, balcony, or garden.
8. Pool maintenance
Ensure the pool is in excellent condition and that all required safety measures are in place.
9. Prepare storage areas
If your property includes areas like a bike cellar, sauna, or a ski room, make sure these are also cleaned and ready for the new season.
4. Don’t forget your end-of-season cleaning
If you don’t rent out your holiday home year-round, it’s important to prepare it properly at the end of the rental season:
Turn off any electrical appliances that you won’t need to save energy.
Preventing frozen pipes and potential water damage by insulating or draining smart home systems can help with this.
Clean and safely store garden furniture to protect it from the weather.
Make sure the outdoor pool is properly prepared for winter
Taking these steps will help keep your holiday home in great condition throughout the year and ensure it remains a pleasure for both you and your guests.
5. Use guest feedback to improve your holiday property
To better understand what your guests need and expect, it’s useful to review their feedback on a regular basis, whether through online reviews or entries in your guestbook. This helps you continually improve the guest experience and increases the chances of guests returning or recommending your property.
6. How Interhome can support you with holiday home maintenance
Working with a professional holiday home provider like Interhome offers property owners many advantages beyond marketing. Interhome takes care of year-round management, including cleaning, maintenance, and repairs. With local service offices across many European holiday regions, Interhome provides personal on-site support.
Key points:
Year-round care: Interhome looks after your property before, during, and after guest stays.
Season preparation: Before the season begins, Interhome prepares your home for rental (cleaning, repairs).
Cleaning & maintenance: Regular cleaning and minor repairs between bookings.
Inspection & reporting: End-of-season checks with detailed reports and suggestions for improvements.
Laundry service: Provision, replacement, and cleaning of bed linens and towels.
Support with house rules: Assistance with creating house rules, pool usage guidelines, and pet policies.
Local service: Guests can contact the local service team at any time.
With Interhome, owners can trust that their holiday property is in good hands at all times.
Conclusion: Maintenance and cleaning are essential for successful holiday letting
Regular maintenance and care of your holiday property increase guest satisfaction and leads to more positive reviews. Partnering with an experienced holiday home provider like Interhome ensures your property is professionally managed year-round. This gives you peace of mind while your holiday home or apartment generates additional income.
FAQ – Maintenance & cleaning of a holiday home
How often should a holiday home be cleaned?
A final cleaning is required after every guest stay. For longer stays, a mid-stay cleaning can be arranged on request.
What does a final cleaning include?
A thorough cleaning of the bathroom, kitchen, floors, surfaces, bins, refrigerator, dishes, textiles, and all commonly touched areas (such as light switches and door handles).
What seasonal maintenance is important?
Checking heating, air conditioning, and electrical systems; inspecting seals; maintaining outdoor areas; and ensuring smoke detectors, fire extinguishers, and first-aid kits are in working order.
How often should the inventory be checked?
At least once per season, including dishes, bedding, electronics, furniture, lamps, and decorative items.
How can damage or wear be detected early?
By doing quick checks after each guest stay, performing simple function tests, and documenting any issues.
How much does a professional final cleaning cost, and when is it worthwhile?
Costs vary depending on the size, location, and condition of the property. Professional cleaning offers consistent quality, and providers like Interhome can help organise this.
