It’s that time of year - when tons of guest reviews pour in for us to review and post to the listings of our hard-working and deserving homeowners. The vast majority of them (98%!) are glowing, positive reviews.
The remaining 2% of negative reviews, are so upsetting – for us as well as our homeowners. In many cases, disagreements between vacationers and homeowners arise when the homeowner is upset about the way in which the home was left by their guests.
What’s frustrating is that, in most cases,
the disagreement could easily have been avoided by better communication from the homeowner and a clearer understanding of what was expected of the tenant upon their departure.
How to avoid misunderstandings
In a previous post, we discussed the importance of
using a lease. And we have also written about the advantages of
managing your tenants’ expectations prior to their arrival. Honest and detailed communication is KEY – before, during and after a tenant’s stay!
If there is anything you expect your tenants to do or NOT do while in your home, it’s imperative that you make sure they are aware of your requirements of them, and preferably in writing. This could either be in an email during the initial inquiry/screening process, or detailed in your lease, or in a “Welcome letter” that you leave for them in your home.
Typical homeowner expectations
We thought it would be helpful if we provided a sample list of expectations that a typical homeowner would have of their guests. Naturally, each home is unique, though, and you will undoubtedly have slightly different instructions for your guests.
Do you make your expectations of your tenants very clear to them before or during their stay? Do you have any other recommendations for fellow homeowners about check-out requirements?