There’s a lot to prepare before you start accommodating guests for Airbnb. But don’t panic — to make life easier, we’ve itemised 76 essentials that’ll put you on the path to ongoing 5-star success. There’s no need to choose all of them; simply choose the items you think would improve your rental, then roll up your sleeves, put your host hat on and get cracking.
Download the printable checklist here!
Let’s start with the genuinely non-negotiable items for Airbnb rentals.
MUST-HAVE HOUSE ESSENTIALS
- Toilet paper
- Soap
- One towel per guest
- One pillow per guest
- Linen & blankets for each guest bed
- Teabags
- Coffee
- Milk
- Sugar
- Salt and pepper
Once you’ve ticked off the “must haves” above, it’s time to address the recommended items. While these items may not be impossible to live without, they are a good idea for most if you want to get great reviews. But as always, only include what you feel is necessary because every property is different.
ADDITIONAL ESSENTIALS
- Welcome kit: Arrival snack & complimentary wine/juice
- Self check-in (key locker, smart lock, keypad lock)
- Wifi
- TV
- Iron/ironing board
- Laptop-friendly workspace
- Portable fans
- Wall hooks (in bedroom/hallway/bathroom)
- Clothes dryer/clothes drying rack
- Essential toiletries (see below)
- Extra pillows and blankets
- Beach towels
SAFETY & SECURITY ESSENTIALS
- Internally wired smoke alarms
- First aid kit
- Fire extinguisher & blanket
- Secure grab/handrails
- Nonslip items for the bathroom
- Plug-in night lights
- Motion-sensitive outdoor lights
BATHROOM ESSENTIALS
- Hair shampoo and conditioner
- Soap/body wash
- Hand soap/wash
- Hygiene essentials: cotton buds, disposable razors, tissues, Band-Aids, Panadol, spare toothbrushes, toothpaste, feminine hygiene products.
- Mirror
- Towel hangers and hooks
BEDROOM ESSENTIALS
- Mattress & pillow protectors
- Bedlinen and pillows
- Clothes hangers
- Block-out curtains
- Reading lights/nightlight
KITCHEN ESSENTIALS
- Electric kettle
- Coffee machine
- Toaster
- Bin
- Sharp knives
- Crockery and cutlery
- Teacups/mugs/wine glasses
- Mixing bowls/strainer/salad bowls/cookware
- Saucepans/frying pan
- Dishwashing essentials: dishwashing liquid, sponges, brush, all-purpose spray cleaner
- Baking sheets/foil
- Tea towels
PRACTICAL HOUSEHOLD ITEMS
- Light bulbs
- Batteries
- Plastic storage bins
- Basic Handyman toolkit
- Plug-in wall nightlight
- Dustpan and broom
- Lightweight stick vacuum
- Umbrella
- Bedroom wastepaper bins
- Laundry baskets
PET-FRIENDLY ITEMS
- Pet bowls
- Additional rugs for furniture/beds
- Microfibre dog towel
The above are all essential items, give or take your circumstances and location. If you want to go further and genuinely excel, we recommend you look at our list of “nice to have” items.
NICE-TO-HAVE RECOMMENDED ITEMS
- Luggage racks
- Iron/steamer/Ironing Board
- Stick vacuum
- Mop
- BBQ essentials
- Indoor plants
- Room freshener
- Pen and paper
- Full-length mirror
- Games
- Novelty seating options: recliner chair/beanbags/hammock
Need help managing your holiday home rental?
If you’d like to generate more income without the hard work, contact Cloudbnb today.
Perth-based Cloudbnb can maximise your earning potential and minimise the stress. Our complete short-term holiday rental management service makes getting the most from your rental property (like 14% in passive returns) without lifting a finger.
We do it all:
- Property listing management & marketing
- Check-in & customer communications
- Cleaning, laundry & maintenance – ensuring that 5-star feel every time
- Styling & photography
- Guest vetting – keeping your property safe and secury
- Property insurance
