How to check cleaning quality in a short-term rental

Review is a separate step after cleaning

The “ready” message means that the employee has finished work, but does not confirm that the apartment is ready for check-in. The manager compares the result with the standard of a particular property: what areas need to be cleaned, what linen and supplies should be prepared, what photographs to attach. The inspection is planned within the window between departure and new arrival, leaving time for possible correction.

• Check the address of the apartment, the performer and the deadline in the task.
• Review the required checklist items and the employee’s comments.
• Open photos of the required areas and make sure that they relate to this cleaning.
• Accept the result only after verification or return a specific comment.

Quality criteria by zone

The criterion should describe a result that can be verified, and not a general assessment of “cleaned well.” The list of items depends on the apartment and the promises made to the guest; It is convenient to take this list as the basis for the property standard.

• Bedroom and living room: fresh linen without noticeable stains, clean surfaces and floors, things and furniture in the agreed places.
• Bathroom: clean plumbing and mirror without visible hair or stains, dry surfaces where required by standard, towels and hygiene products in place.
• Kitchen: clean sink, stove and work surface; there are no forgotten products in the refrigerator if checking it is part of cleaning.
• Hallway: clean floor at the entrance, no trash or abandoned items; keys and access to the entrance have been verified according to the property's instructions.
• Completeness: linen, dishes and supplies correspond to the list for the given property and number of guests.
• Equipment and malfunctions: detected problems are described separately and transferred to the person responsible; a cleaning note does not replace the decision to repair.

What the photo report confirms

For remote review, you need clear views after cleaning: a general view of the rooms, bed, kitchen, bathroom and entrance area. When noticing, you need a general shot of the place and detail. Pictures must be linked to the apartment and the current task; a photo from a previous shift does not prove readiness now.

• Compare images with the required areas of the property, and not just count the files.
• Check the lighting and visibility of the result: a close-up without context does not replace the overall perspective.
• Do not consider the absence of a frame as evidence of purity; request a photo or inspection if the area is mandatory.
• Do not include access codes or other secrets in the photo report.

When photos aren't enough

The photo helps you see the surfaces, but does not confirm the smell, the operation of the Internet, the serviceability of the lock, or the cleanliness of hidden places. Such items require a response from the contractor according to the checklist, a separate on-site inspection, or an inspection by a responsible employee. If quality cannot be confirmed prior to check-in, note the uncertainty and resolve it to ready status.

Accept, return for correction or stop preparation for arrival

Accept cleaning when the required items have been completed, the evidence is sufficient and there are no comments that would prevent occupancy. If a correctable defect is visible, return the task indicating the area, problem and expected result; after correction, check the new answer and photo. If a malfunction is detected or the required kit is missing, please refer the issue to the person in charge and agree on a separate decision on check-in. Do not write down the breakdown as poor cleaning and do not accept the apartment just to complete the task.

Manage this step in Operly: Quality control.

How to formulate a comment for improvement

The comment should allow the employee to correct a specific problem without correspondence. For example: “Bathroom, mirror above the sink: stains are visible in the photo. Wipe the mirror and send a new general shot of the bathroom before the agreed completion date.” For multiple zones, list them separately; After resubmitting, compare the new materials with the comment.

• Indicate the apartment and zone if the context of the task may not be obvious.
• Describe the observed defect, not the employee's personal assessment.
• Formulate the expected result and the necessary confirmation.
• Check the correction date with the time of your next check-in.

Use comments to improve the standard

If the same item has to be returned for correction, check the property’s instructions: is the wording clear, is there the necessary equipment, and is there enough time between visits. Save the criteria and solutions next to the task so that the next time you clean, you don’t have to start from scratch. For step-by-step work of the performer, use a separate checklist; The criteria in this article are intended primarily for the receiving manager.

Frequently asked question