Airbnb Inspection Checklist: What to Check Before Every Check In
An Airbnb inspection checklist is the short walkthrough you (or someone you trust) run after the clean and before the next check in, to confirm the home is clean, stocked, safe and undamaged. It should cover a handful of must pass items that block check in if they fail, a quick room by room visual check, a damage scan, and dated photos of what you found.
The difference between a cleaning checklist and an inspection checklist is the question each one answers. A cleaning checklist tells the cleaner what to do. An inspection checklist asks, "If a guest walked in right now, what would they notice first?" It is shorter, it is about looking rather than scrubbing, and it should take ten to fifteen minutes for a typical home.
Step 1: The must pass items
These are the things that should stop a check in, or trigger an urgent fix, if they fail. Check them first so you have the most time to act.
- Entry works. Smart lock code updated for the new guest, keypad batteries fine, door closes and locks.
- No hair, no stains on beds or towels. Pull back the duvet and check sheets and pillowcases. Unfold one towel from each stack.
- Toilets, shower and sinks clean. Look under the toilet rim and at the base of the toilet. Check the drain for hair.
- No trash, food or guest items left behind. Open the fridge, the oven, the dishwasher, the bathroom bin and the bedside drawers.
- Smoke and carbon monoxide alarms present and working. Airbnb asks hosts to list their smoke and CO alarms and check local rules, and the U.S. Fire Administration recommends testing smoke alarms monthly.
- Water, power and heat or cooling working. Run hot water in one tap, set the thermostat to a comfortable temperature for arrival.
- WiFi online. Connect a phone using the network and password you give guests.
- No indoor recording devices. Airbnb does not allow security cameras or recording devices that monitor indoor spaces, even if they are off. If a previous guest or contractor left anything like that, remove it.
If any of these fail and you cannot fix them before arrival, message the guest early and honestly. It is far better than letting them find it.
Step 2: The room by room walkthrough
Walk the home in the same order every time, the path a guest takes: entry, living area, kitchen, bedrooms, bathrooms, outdoor space. Look at each room from the doorway first, then up close.
Entry and living area
- Floor clear, no crumbs along the edges
- Sofa cushions straight, no stains or crumbs in the seams
- Remote controls present and working
- Surfaces dust free, no water rings on tables
- Lamps and bulbs working
- Thermostat set, blinds positioned the way your listing photos show them
Kitchen
- Counters, stovetop and sink shining, no grease on the backsplash
- Fridge empty of guest food, shelves wiped, no smell
- Microwave and oven interior clean
- Dishes, glasses and cutlery clean and dry (hold two glasses up to the light)
- Coffee, tea, oil, salt, pepper, dish soap and paper towels stocked
- Trash and recycling bins empty with fresh liners
Bedrooms
- Beds made to your standard, pillows plumped and even
- Nothing under the bed or in drawers and closets
- Enough hangers, extra blanket present
- Chargers and lamps working on both sides
Bathrooms
- Mirror free of streaks and splash marks
- Shower glass, tile and grout free of soap scum and hair
- Toilet paper, soap, shampoo and conditioner stocked
- Towels folded to your standard, hand towel hung
- Fan working, no damp smell
Outdoor space
- Patio swept, furniture wiped
- Grill clean and propane checked
- Hot tub or pool clear and at the right level if you have one
- Trash bins at the curb or back in place, depending on pickup day
Step 3: The damage scan
This part is easy to skip when the home looks clean. Do not skip it. You are looking for anything that changed since the last inspection.
- Walls and doors: scuffs, holes, marks from furniture
- Floors: scratches, new stains, water damage near the dishwasher, fridge and toilets
- Furniture: broken legs, tears in fabric, wobble in chairs
- Linens: stains that did not come out in the wash, burns, tears
- Electronics: TV screen, speakers, smart devices
- Inventory: count the items that tend to disappear, like towels, blankets and kitchen tools
Record anything you find with a photo, the date and which stay it followed. Airbnb asks hosts to file a damage reimbursement request within 14 days of the guest's checkout with photos or videos, estimates or receipts. You cannot use that window well if you only notice the problem three guests later. The guide on how to prove guest damage on Airbnb goes deeper on evidence.
Step 4: Record the result
Every inspection should end with one of two outcomes: pass or fix list. Write it down.
| Result | What it means | What happens next |
|---|---|---|
| Pass | Every must pass item and room check is fine | Guest checks in as planned |
| Fix list, minor | Small misses like a streaky mirror or a missing hand towel | Cleaner or inspector fixes before arrival |
| Fix list, urgent | A must pass item failed | Fix now or contact the guest before arrival |
| Damage found | Something is broken, stained or missing | Photograph, note which stay, start the claim process |
Over time these records show you patterns. If "shower glass" is on the fix list every other week, that is a training conversation or a product problem, and you can solve it once.
Who should do the inspection?
There are three realistic options:
- You. Best if you live close by. The downside is it ties you to the home on every turnover.
- A second person. A co host, a friend or a paid inspector. Good quality, but it adds cost and scheduling.
- The cleaner, with photo proof. The cleaner finishes, then photographs each area against the checklist. You review from anywhere.
Option three is the practical choice for anyone hosting from a distance. The risk is that reviewing forty photos on your phone every turnover is tiring, so small misses slip through. Clyn checks each photo the cleaner takes against your property's standard, sends back blurry or dark shots for a retake, and gives you a pass or a fix list before the guest arrives. You still own the decision, but you are reading a short list instead of squinting at every picture. The guide to remote Airbnb inspection covers this setup in detail, and what photos to ask your cleaner for lists the exact shots.
A printable version
If you want a one page version for your cleaner or inspector, copy this:
- Door code updated, lock works
- Beds: no hair, no stains, made to standard
- Towels: clean, folded, full count
- Toilets, showers, sinks: clean, no hair in drains
- Fridge, oven, dishwasher, drawers: empty of guest items
- Smoke and CO alarms present and tested
- Hot water, heat or cooling, WiFi working
- Supplies stocked: toilet paper, soap, coffee, dish soap, trash bags
- Damage scan: walls, floors, furniture, linens, electronics
- Photos taken, result recorded as pass or fix list
FAQ
How long should an Airbnb inspection take?
For a one or two bedroom home, ten to fifteen minutes is typical once the routine is set. Larger homes, pools and hot tubs add time.
Should I inspect after every single turnover?
Yes, at least the must pass items. Skipping inspections is how small misses turn into a cleanliness review. A photo based inspection makes this realistic even if you live far away.
What if I find damage during an inspection but the next guest is arriving?
Photograph it right away, note the date and which stay it followed, and fix what you can before arrival. Then start the reimbursement process with the previous guest within the time limits in Airbnb's damage protection article.
If you want every turnover checked before check in, you can try Clyn free on one property at clyn.com.