Everything You Need to Check in Your Vacation Rental Before Unpacking a Single Bag

Arriving at your vacation rental is usually a cause of celebration and major relief. You’ve made it to your destination, and relaxation is imminent. Before you set your bags down and head to the beach, experts recommend taking a few steps first.

“When choosing to stay in a vacation rental rather than a hotel or resort where there is much more variability between what you may see in real life versus what was in the shiny photos, it’s important to have a plan for checking safety and security issues on arrival,” says Nicole Cunningham, a travel expert and founder of Copilots for Coparents, a travel community for single parents.

Follow this list of items to inspect when you first enter your rental to ensure a safe and comfortable stay.

Meet Our Expert

Nicole Cunningham is a travel expert and founder of Copilots for Coparents, a travel community for single parents.

Todd Cannon is the CEO of Serenité Private Members Club.

Kanika Puri is the chief customer officer at Fast Cover Travel Insurance.

Sean Breuner is the CEO and founder of AvantStay.

Jessica Duce is the owner of JDuce Design, a short-term rental interior design firm in Houston, Texas.

Alex Foti is the president of Bretton Woods Vacations.

Check for Safety and Security First

Check the key safety and security features upon arrival at your vacation rental.

Basic Safety Features

Doors: “First, check all doors to ensure they lock properly,” says Todd Cannon, CEO of Serenité Private Members Club.Cunningham points out that break-ins might be rare at home but could ruin a trip.“Oftentimes, I find the risk of theft can be higher in rental properties where you may not have the limited entrances and exits and built-in security of a hotel, and additionally, many rentals do not include in-room safes,” she adds.

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Fire safety features: Then, check for fire safety. Cannon suggests checking the tag on all fire extinguishers and looking at expiration dates on fire detectors. You can even test smoke detectors to make sure the batteries work.

Carbon monoxide detector: Also, look for a carbon monoxide detector. Cunningham travels with her own in case a place where she’s staying doesn’t have one.“There have been so many tragic stories in the news about carbon monoxide deaths, even at five-star resorts; this is one that is simply non-negotiable when I travel with my family,” she says.

Related: The 4 Best Carbon Monoxide Detectors Our Editors Recommend

Pool Safety

As a mom, Cunningham also keeps a close eye on pool safety.“Last but definitely not least, if traveling with little ones, determine whether there are any pool access safety issues—sliding doors can often be easily opened by curious ones,” she points out. “I recommend traveling with child-proofing products for doors so you can have peace of mind if your rental has a pool or other water features.”

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Related: The Winners of Our Best Pool Alarms Tests

Privacy Concerns

Check for cameras: Incidents of hosts recording guests on camera without their knowledge or consent have frightened many vacationers.“These incidents get a lot of attention when they occur, but considering the number of short-term rentals on the market, I don’t think it’s something you should stress about,” says Kanika Puri, Chief Customer Officer at Fast Cover Travel Insurance. “However, if you suspect something is wrong, you can use your phone’s flashlight to look for reflections off camera lenses or check over ceiling vents and other wall openings to see if anything is inside.”

Check for outdoor cameras, too.“We make sure any outdoor security devices are disclosed upfront and positioned solely for property security, not guest monitoring, so it’s always good to book with a host who states that upfront for your own peace of mind,” says Sean Breuner, CEO and founder of AvantStay.

Jessica Duce of the Houston-based, short-term rental interior design firm JDuce Design points out that you can ask the host about cameras before check-in.“You can use apps on your phone like PEEK and Hidden Spy to look for spyware,” says Duce.

Check for Cleanliness

Once things appear safe and sound, it’s time to bring out the microscope.

Focus on the Basics

“Check the kitchen and bathrooms to see if the fridge and kitchen appliances are clean,” Cannon says. “Then, check the bed sheets. If they look like a wrinkled shirt and are not pressed, wash the sheets because they weren’t changed.”

Look for Potential Problems

Look for major structural problems as you go.“Be on the lookout for mold spots, but if you see the ceiling starting to sink in or the wall warping, those are signs of water and likely mold issues,” Cannon says. “I always look at the vents for dust accumulation.”

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You might also notice visual signs or odors related to a bigger problem.“Musty odors are strong signs of mold and mildew, while chewed items or tiny droppings could reveal a mouse issue,” Puri adds. “You should also look for stained ceilings and walls, as this can point to internal water leaks or hidden mold.”

Check for Bed Bugs

Before you get into bed or set your luggage down, check for bed bugs.“Pull the bottom corners of the bedding and check the mattress edges. If you see what looks like coffee grounds, this could be bed bugs,” Duce says.

Confirm the Listing Is Accurate

Chances are, you booked your rental for specific features, such as the number of bedrooms or the presence of a hot tub. With that in mind, confirm the listing was accurate by checking for these features.

“Check that your must-haves are ready to go—whether that’s the Wi-Fi, baby gear, your favorite kitchen gadgets, or fun extras like board games, pool floats, or the hot tub,” Breuner says. “It’s your vacation—make sure everything’s set up for how you like to relax.”

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Go ahead and be picky at this stage when it comes to having adequate space and an accurate description.“If a listing says it sleeps six and there is a table for two in the kitchen, that’s a no for me,” Duce says. “I want accommodations for all guests, and I want a rental that cares about that.”

Faucets and light fixtures: While it may seem simple, Puri advises renters to turn on all faucets and lights.“I think the most important thing to check is that the basics are functioning, like whether the water is running and the electricity is switched on,” Puri says. “While it might surprise some, the host might have forgotten to turn them back on if the property hasn’t been occupied recently.”

Wifi: Finally, be sure the Wi-Fi works if it’s included.“Check for login information and see if your devices can sign in. If not, you might have to contact the host to solve any technical problems,” Puri says.

Existing damage: This is also a good time to check for any existing damage or messes to avoid liability.

"“I always recommend doing a walk-through to check for any damage within the unit and, if you find any, documenting it with photographs. This ensures that you have time-stamped evidence of condition on arrival in case the host tries to charge you for any of the damage.”"

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–Nicole Cunningham

Raising Concerns

If you’re unhappy with the safety or cleanliness of your rental, don’t be afraid to contact your host. If you’re missing a few towels or want fresh sheets, it shouldn’t be a huge deal for the host to accommodate you. If you have bigger concerns, it’s time to take action.

Cannon suggests immediately contacting the host and starting to look for a nearby hotel if you’re worried about major problems such as mold, bed bugs, or a lack of safety features in the rental.“If there are apparent issues, assume there are larger, less obvious issues as well,” Cannon adds.

Puri reminds guests to keep things cordial. “Sometimes issues are honest mistakes, so I think it’s important to remain polite when raising concerns,” Puri says.

Message the Host

Message the host promptly if you have any concerns. If you don’t get a speedy response, Cannon suggests calling. If you don’t hear back at all, escalate your complaint by contacting the hosting platform directly.

Let the Host Fix the Problem

“Give the host an opportunity to fix it. Most platforms require that you attempt resolution with the host first—and it’s the right thing to do,” says Alex Foti, president of Bretton Woods Vacations, a vacation rental management company based in northern New Hampshire. “If the issue doesn’t involve safety, and there is no immediate threat to your health, don’t rush to check out. Stay put while working with the platform. Leaving early without documentation or communication can weaken your refund claim.”

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While some problems can be resolved in time for you to enjoy your stay, others will need to be addressed through some form of reimbursement after the fact. In these situations, document your concerns with photos and screenshots of any communication with the host to bring to the hosting platform later on.

Leave a Review

If you have a bad experience, you can leave a review to warn others.“I strongly recommend sharing your experience in reviews for a rental so that other guests can see,” Duce says. “This pertains to issues of cleanliness, safety, or misrepresentation.”

How to Avoid Bad Rentals When Booking

Not all vacation listings are as good as you hope, but you can typically avoid major disappointment if you look for a few key signs when booking your stay.

Examine Listing Photos and Description Carefully

“Beware of listings with vague descriptions, very few photos, or overly generic reviews. Transparency is key,” Breuner says. “Hosts should clearly outline what’s included and provide visuals that match. One of the reasons guests choose AvantStay is because what you see is what you get—our homes are professionally photographed and described with accuracy in mind.”

Read the Reviews

Read the reviews and notice any major red flags or patterns.“No reviews are a huge red flag,” Cannon says. Puri goes one step further to say that properties with fewer than five reviews should also be suspect.

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Furthermore, Foti advises caution if you see a property with all 5-star reviews but no details. Also, keep an eye out for a long gap in reviews or ratings. It’s safest to book with a property that has professional management.

Deal with Professionals

“Professionally managed properties or top-rated hosts are more likely to follow cleaning protocols and provide support if something goes wrong,” Foti says. “Professional hosts also usually have access to other properties that you could be moved to if something were to happen at your vacation rentals.”

Communicate with the Host

If you find that communication with your host is spotty or feels off in the weeks and days leading up to your stay, it’s best to cancel and rebook.

“Messaging the host ahead of booking can also be a good decision, even if only to see how they communicate,” Puri says. “Hosts who take a long time to respond to basic questions or insist on communicating off-platform could spell trouble in the future if something goes wrong with your booking, so it’s best to avoid them.”

Read the original article on Better Homes & Gardens