The Vacation Rental Maintenance Checklist That Makes Upkeep Easier

Vacation rental maintenance issues are the most common guest complaint. In fact, our data from hundreds of thousands of rental reviews shows they were brought up in 47% of all negative reviews over the last year. And it makes sense: problems with comfort-boosting systems, clean surroundings, and home safety can throw off any vacation.

Staying up-to-date with your monthly, seasonal, and annual vacation rental maintenance keeps guests from running into these inconveniences during their stay. It also clears the way for them to enjoy every detail you’ve put into the property — from your key amenities to charming welcome gifts.

Altogether, this can lead to five-star experiences that set you up for good guest reviews and better performance. But figuring out what needs your attention — and when — can feel like a lot. That’s why we created a vacation home maintenance checklist designed to make upkeep easy.

Download our free vacation rental maintenance checklist

In This Article:
How to Maintain a Vacation Home
How to Find the Right Vacation Rental Maintenance Services
Build Your Vacation Rental Maintenance Toolbox with This Checklist

How to Maintain a Vacation Home

The best way to handle vacation rental maintenance is to check up on your appliances, amenities, and home systems before they let you (or your guests) know there’s a problem. This also helps avoid property damage, which could lead to higher costs for your business.

To keep up with preventive maintenance for your rental property, here’s a baseline for what to check inside and around your home — and how often to do so.

Monthly Maintenance

Certain parts of your home need more consistent attention to properly maintain and stay ahead of larger issues. That’s why we recommend doing these tasks on a monthly basis at least:

• Keep an eye out for wood-damaging pests and spray if needed to prevent infestations
• Test alarms and detectors so they’re ready for emergencies
• Inspect faucets for leaks and cracks to keep water bills down
• Test your keyless entry and change the batteries (if needed) so guests can easily enter and exit
• Inspect ceilings and walls for bubbles or other water damage marks
• Run and clean your garbage disposal to keep it usable

Whether you’re managing your rental on your own or working with a trusted team, it’s easier to keep up with monthly vacation rental maintenance during regularly scheduled home cleaning. Since you’re already refreshing your property between check-ins, we recommend spreading these upkeep tasks throughout the month to keep each turnover quick and efficient. Our free checklist can help you keep track of when each task was last done.

Seasonal Maintenance

In addition to regular monthly maintenance, make time for seasonal upkeep — and always keep your property’s unique needs in mind. Remember: changing seasons can affect homes differently depending on their location (think salt building up on beach homes, and winterizing needs for mountain cabins). So, while you may have unique tasks on your list, in general be sure to: 

• Inspect cooling systems in the spring and heating in the fall so they’re ready for the changing weather
• Change HVAC filters, especially for pet-friendly homes
• Clean and inspect dryer vents to prevent fires
• Make sure garage door systems, fences, and other entries are working properly
• Clean your refrigerator coils to save on electric bills
• Change batteries in detectors, remote controls, and thermostats so they’re always ready for guests
• Clear out clogs and hair buildup in kitchen and bathroom drains

Seasonal tasks don’t end inside your home, either. If you have outdoor space, vacation rental yard maintenance is just as important. So keep these items on your seasonal checklist, too: 

• Clean gutters to prevent leaks, rotting, and pricey damage
• Fix any loose or damaged shingles on the roof
• Wash outdoor furniture so guests feel comfortable using it 
• Inspect exterior lighting and replace as needed to keep everyone safe and entertained outside
• Confirm all porches, railings, furniture, equipment, and outdoor fixtures are sturdy, safe, and free of mold 
• Check the health of trees, lawns, and plants; trim branches as needed
• Wash windows, doors, screens, and shutters to keep your views and entrances tidy
• Check for cracks or holes in driveways and walkways so guests can safely come and go
• Inspect watering systems for leaks, broken lines, or misaligned sprinkler heads

Looking for ways to cut maintenance costs? Choosing eco-friendly features can help save you green and attract more guests.

Annual Maintenance

While annual chores can sometimes take more time (and professionals) to complete, they can go a long way for your guests and revenue. Do these once a year for upkeep: 

• Flush the hot water heater to fight mineral buildup
• Perform chimney and fireplace check-ups to keep dangerous fumes out
• Flip or rotate mattresses to lengthen usability and boost guest comfort
• Inspect window frames for broken seals or gaps
• Check attic space for sagging and instability
• Oil any leather or wood furniture so it lasts longer

How to Find the Right Vacation Rental Maintenance Services

Professional maintenance services aren’t just for out-of-state or hands-off owners. The right teams help make sure all the items on your checklist are taken care of expertly and efficiently. Think of them as a support system for your home’s health, safety, and performance.

These days, apps like Frontdoor and Mavyn can help you track down local experts and walk you through some upkeep jobs yourself. This can be a huge benefit, as finding maintenance professionals where your home is located can be difficult if it’s in the mountains or another more rural or secluded spot.  

If you do have multiple service options in your area, look through Google reviews to narrow down your top picks. Then, meet with two or three contractors to get bids before you dive in. This will also give you a better idea of each team’s cost and competency level.

You could also consider working with a management company like Evolve. After over a decade in the industry, we’ve built a network of vetted service providers that spans the country. No matter what your upkeep and business needs are, having an experienced coordinator in your corner can help you wrangle all the essentials.

Build Your Vacation Rental Maintenance Toolbox with This Checklist

To make upkeep simple and streamlined, get our vacation rental maintenance checklist. Inside, you’ll find: 

• A breakdown of essential maintenance tasks
• Space to log inspection dates
• Organized fields for notes on task progress or item condition
• Additional pages to suit the unique layout and amenities in your home

Just like our inventory tracker and cleaning checklists, this downloadable guide makes it easy to keep your property in five-star shape. Pair those with our full suite of owner services, and you get all the support you need to reach vacation rental success — whether you’re just starting out, managing your rental, or growing your investments.