The 100+ Point Short Term Rental Inspection Checklist

1. Appliances & Mechanical

Refrigerator coils and condenser drain (dust buildup, mold)
HVAC filter checked / replaced Record filter size printed on the frame (e.g., 16x25x1) for future replacements
Dishwasher seals, gasket, and spray arms (limescale, food debris, mold)
Oven interior cleaned (splatter and grease)
Microwave interior and vents cleaned
Washing machine rubber gasket (mold/mildew) - run a cleaning tab cycle
Dryer vent ducting cleared of lint (fire hazard check)
Coffee maker / kettle descaled if provided
Ceiling fans run smoothly without wobble or noise at every speed
Window AC units - filter and coils cleaned Record filter size/model if unit is a standalone window or portable AC
Sink drain rate checked Fill sink with water, then release the stopper to check drain rate
Garbage disposal air-switch / reset button functional
Ice maker producing ice and not leaking

Behind / under appliances (crumbs, hair, spills)
Inside trash and recycling bins (sticky residue, leaked food)
Garbage disposal blades and trap (food debris, odor)
Shower drain (hair clogs, slow drainage, smell)
Shower head buildup checked (spray pattern, mineral deposits)
Toilet tank interior (mineral deposits, sediment)
Light fixture globes (dead bugs, dust)
Baseboards and corners (dust, cobwebs, tracked-in dirt)
Closet shelves and rods (dust, forgotten guest items)
Vent covers and ceiling / floor fan blades (dust buildup)
Top of refrigerator (dust and grease buildup)
AC return air grille (dust buildup restricting airflow)
Upholstery and carpet condition noted (stains, wear, odor)
Blacklight test on mattresses, upholstery, and carpet (hidden stains not visible under normal light)

Smoke detectors present, tested, and battery dated
CO detectors present, tested, and battery dated
Fire extinguisher accessible, charged, and in date
First aid kit stocked
Outlet safety covers functional, especially near water
Mattress protectors and pillow covers checked / replaced
Furniture stability checked (wobbly chairs, tables, loose legs tightened)
Door locks and sliding door tracks - functional and aligned
Exterior door deadbolts and window locks functional
Pool/spa gate self-closes and self-latches (if equipped)
GFCI outlets test and reset correctly (kitchen, bath, exterior)
Bedroom windows open freely from the inside Not painted or nailed shut - matters for both emergency egress and ventilation
Emergency contact info and property address posted Guests calling 911 in an unfamiliar city often don't know the address to give

Caulk integrity - kitchen backsplash, tub edges (peeling / gaps)
Paint touch-ups needed (marks, scuffs)
Nail holes / wall damage patched
Doorframe and trim integrity (water damage, swelling, peeling paint)
Window seals and frames (condensation, mold, loose weatherstripping)
Plumbing under sinks (slow leaks, rust, corrosion)
Grout condition - cracks expanding, risk of water intrusion
Power outlet grip strength checked Loose outlets that won't reliably hold a phone or laptop charger plug should be flagged for replacement
Exterior caulk and weatherstripping at doors/windows (energy loss, pest entry)
Garage door opener and safety reverse sensor functional

"Luxury linens" claim verified Check quality, not just presence
"Fully stocked kitchen" claim verified Actual cooking staples present, not empty cabinets
Each bathroom stocked Soap, shampoo, toilet brush, trash can present
Streaming services claim verified Logged in and working, not just advertised
A/C actually cools the space Test during inspection, not just "present"
Advertised amenities present and functional Cross-reference every listing claim
Blackout curtains/blinds close fully No broken slats or gaps letting in light

Check-in instructions visible and accessible (not just in app)
WiFi network name and password visible to guests
Thermostat labeled / instructions intuitive for guests
Light switches clearly labeled (e.g., which one is the bath fan)
Appliance quirks documented (e.g., dryer needs 2 cycles, tight shower knob)
Garage code or gate code included in check-in instructions
Trash pickup day and instructions included in guest manual (for multi-night stays)

Speed tested at the cable modem (wired, direct connection) Record Mbps down / up - this is the true ceiling speed from the ISP
Speed tested at the router (wired, from a LAN port) Record Mbps down / up - flags a router bottleneck if lower than modem speed
Speed tested over WiFi in every room / zone Record Mbps down / up per location - flags weak signal or dead zones
Coverage dead zones identified and documented
Guest network separate from owner's personal network
Router accessible and rebooted if needed
Router broadcasting dual-band or has a 5GHz SSID Single-band 2.4GHz-only routers are slower and more congested; flag if no 5GHz network is available

Current property photos compared against live listing photos Flag any room, furniture, or decor that no longer matches
Amenity list on the listing still matches what's on-site
Guest capacity / bed count on the listing still matches actual setup
Listing description reviewed for outdated or inaccurate claims e.g., amenities that were removed, features that changed
Any renovations or changes noted that aren't reflected in the listing

Pool/spa area free of visible hazards and debris
Pool/spa furniture and toys in usable condition
Skimmer baskets and drain covers visibly clear of debris
Visible signs of equipment trouble noted (leaks, unusual noise, error codes) We are not pool equipment technicians -- equipment operation itself is not verified; flagged issues are documented for a licensed pool professional

Landscaping appearance maintained (not overgrown, no dead plants visible)
Exterior lighting and address numbers visible for guest arrival
Walkways and steps free of trip hazards
Trash and recycling bins stored out of sight
Driveway free of stains and debris
BBQ grill checked, if equipped Grease trap/tray level, igniter function
Propane tank level checked, if equipped Weighed with a scale for an exact reading, not just a visual guess