"Turnkey" rentals are popular in SW Florida because there is a big population of people who wish to travel down to Naples and surrounding areas for a chance to get away from winter and enjoy all that we have to offer for a few months. If you are considering renting your property out Turnkey, which means fully furnished and equipped for someone to come in with just their suitcase, here are some things to think about stocking it with.
The Must-Haves For Every Vacation & Short Term Rental Home... This article is intended to help you determine what you need to get your home prepared for vacation & short-term rental guests.
THE BASICS / MUST HAVES:BATHROOM
Toiletries: Soap (body/shower and sink/hand), hand towel, body towel, face towel + back up of each (2 per person per room), shower mat, toilet paper (plus backup), shampoo, conditioner. - You usually provide enough to get them started but would not be expected to provide enough for a multi-month renter for the entire time.
Extra touches: feminine products, disposable razors, scale.
Trash can: small trash can in each bathroom
Indoor Towels: 4 per bedroom (body, face, hand).
Outdoor towels: (2 per person) and if you’re home is pet friendly, then towels for pets too).1 half of the above towels will be stored securely and not available to guests.
Please note: people will take indoor towels outside, and outdoor towels in. No matter how well you label and how politely you ask, be prepared for an accelerated wear/tear of your towels. Home Goods & Marshalls / Ross, TJ Maxx are great places to replenish towels affordably.
KITCHEN & DINING
Dishes: (indoor and outdoor (if you have outdoor entertaining/eating space); plates & bowls; Quantity Tip: Enough place settings and dishes and tableware to handle twice the number of your maximum group size, not because twice as many people will show up, but because guests don't want to do dishes after each use).
Silverware: (indoor and outdoor)
Glassware: (indoor and plastic for outdoor; large & small, wine & water). Mugs, coffee and tea.
Utensils: (can opener, ladles, spatulas, tupperware, pasta strainer, pots, pans, decent knives, a pot large enough for pasta, saucepans, large and small fry pan, wine glasses, a bottle opener, whisk, pitcher, salad bowl, baking sheet, scissors, corkscrew, big cutting board, pot holders, kitchen hand towels, condiments (ketchup, mustard)
Kitchen supplies: (garbage can, garbage bags, sandwich bags, dishwashing soap, dishwasher pods, paper towels, kettle)
LIVING / BEDROOMS
Bedroom: Furniture in each room (chest of drawers (if no walk in closet). At least one night stand + lamp
TV: On vacation people may like to watch tv from bed.
Beds/Bedding: (on the bed and at least 1 backup set). Duvet + comfortable > quilt. Think about laundry. If you can fit an entire room (or 2) of linens in one load - you've saved time and energy. Some quilt / bedding covers take an entire load unto themselves.
Pillow Protectors and mattress pads: Having these items implemented is a great way to ensure that the mattresses and pillows last longer along with the fact that it adds to the overall perceived cleanliness of the unit. In some states it may even be a documented requirement to do as per to your local ordinances and regulations.
Pillows: In addition to standard sleeping pillows, also add plus decorative pillows
Chair: A reading chair is always a nice touch
Mirror: Full-length mirror
Living Room: Furniture: Coffee table, couches (plus throws and pillows), books, area rug
Other Rooms: at least one desk on the property, artwork in each room.
Dining Room: table & chairs, place settings, area rug
ELECTRONICS
Flat screen TV (+remote) in main room and at least 1 bedroom
HD channels or Apple TV or Roku Device
High speed wi-fi password protected so that guest can be provided password.
An extra touch would be iPhone/iPad alarm clock
Music source is also another nice consideration
OUTDOORS
Outdoor furniture (table, chairs, umbrella),
BBQ (and utensils) welcome mat, storage box, hose, trash can (recycling, trash, landscape)
Note: What happens if you receive mail at this residence? US Mail allows for mail holds (so long as only at one residence -- in other words, you can't hold mail at more than one home at the same time).
CLEANING
Cleaning supplies (broom, mop, kitchen counter cleaner, vacuum, furniture cleaner, floor cleaner, paper towels, glass cleaner)
PRIVATE AREA / OWNER ONLY
If you need to store personal items at the property, you should consider setting up an owners area: lockable closet to store supplies (paper towels, toilet paper, back up linens/towels, firewood, wine, candy, electronics not accessible to guests) – only accessible for owner/manager/cleaning crew), back up key lock box on the property / hidden
THE EXTRAS - (ITEMS NOT EXPECTED BUT HIGHLY APPRECIATED)
1. Liners in trash cans
Having trash bags in all of the garbage cans throughout the vacation home adds to the aura of cleanliness. Ensure that you do the same with bathroom trash cans, also.
2. Laundry supplies (detergent, fabric sheets)
You can use smaller amounts or just leave a full size container that gets used over time.
3. Starter pack of coffee, creamer and sugar
These household items are ideal if you receive an abundance of guests during the night time. Everybody enjoys a cup of Joe in the morning and your nighttime guests are no exception.
4. Salt And Pepper
Chances are that when your guest arrives, they may intend to cook frequently, but they more than likely aren't going to pack spices within their suitcase. Providing some spices or salt and pepper at the minimum can be helpful and demonstrate a level of consideration on your part in the guests eyes.
5. Emergency Supplies
You should always expect the best, but prepare for the worst, especially if you reside within an area that is prone to being affected by natural disasters. But by keeping a first aid kit, flashlights, battery-powered radio you can do just that. You could also have an emergency kit on hand with things like bandaids, ointments, bug repellent, etc.
6. Cleaning supplies
Stock the rental home with mops, brooms or cleaning supplies that the guests can utilize.
7. Hair Dryer
Most guests won't pack a hair dryer within their suitcases. They may expect this to be in a vacation home due to the fact that a large majority of hotels provide hairdryers. When it comes to household conveniences, for a small investment you can provide yet another convenience to your guest.
8. Iron & Ironing Board
No one likes sitting on the floor to iron clothes on a small dorm size ironing board. Consider purchasing a full sized ironing board to add to your list of household conveniences that will be observed by your guests.
9. A Deck Of Cards/Grames
A deck of cards can provide an endless source of entertainment to keep your guests preoccupied during the rainy days. While you can provide a variety of games such as chess, checkers and bingo. At the minimum, a deck of cards will suffice.
10. Facial Tissues
Another set of essential household items are facial tissues. Some guests may have an allergy related conditions and as such, may feel repulsed at the fact that they have to resort into using toilet paper to blow their noses.
11. Guestbook
A guestbook can provide valuable feedback about your guests' stay, that you can use to improve the experience that future guests will receive as a whole. The guest themselves may be delighted at the reviews that others gave before them and might find some tips about activities within the area that seem interesting and thus encourage a revisit in order for them to participate in said activity.
12. Movies/DVDs
Even though most can be watched through a TV, a nice touch for a cabinet.
13. Little Touches
There are some things that you can consider offering that are truly above and beyond but that make your property stand out amongst the competition and get remembered. bottle of wine or 6 pack of beer in the fridge, some popular magazines left out, bathroom essentials (Tylenol, Aspirin, mouthwash, toothbrushes), fresh flowers, Britta/filtered water pitcher in fridge with freezer full of Ice cubes and a cloth ice pack for an a sprained injury or bee sting, bookshelves stocked with accent pieces and bestsellers, outdoor games (bocce ball, dartboard, Frisbee) and all kinds of board games, desktop PC or at least a printer, electronic candles and light bulbs (storage), flashlights and batteries, assorted toys and puzzles, beach chairs, umbrellas, coolers, welcome basket with snacks, coffee, or other goodies, brochures for local things to do (or you can have a binder with this information).