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New Host Setup Checklist
Everything you need to launch a 5-star Airbnb experience. Every item is tagged Must Have or Nice to Have so you know exactly what to ship before guest one and what to add over time.
9
Categories
111
Total Items
91
Must Haves
20
Nice to Haves
Show:
How to use this checklist: Every item is tagged Must Have or Nice to Have. Must Haves are required for safety, code, or basic guest function — skip them and you lose reviews. Nice to Haves consistently move review scores up by 0.1 to 0.3 stars when added thoughtfully. Prepared by Swanson Holdings, LLC. For co-hosting inquiries, contact us directly.
Bedroom Essentials
11 must4 nice
- Bed frame with sturdy mattress (queen minimum recommended) Must
- Mattress protector / waterproof cover (one per bed) Must
- Pillows — minimum 2 per person the bed sleeps Must
- Pillow protectors Must
- Fitted sheet, flat sheet & pillowcases — 2 complete sets per bed Must
- Duvet / comforter appropriate for season Must
- Extra blanket (stored in closet or chest) Must
- Bedside table(s) with lamp Must
- Mirror (full-length preferred) Must
- Dresser or closet with hangers (min. 10 per bedroom) Must
- Blackout curtains or blinds Must
- Alarm clock or phone charging station Nice
- Luggage rack or bench Nice
- Nightlights or bedside reading lights Nice
- Power strip / surge protector with USB ports Nice
15 items
Bathroom Essentials
14 must1 nice
- Bath towels — 2 per guest Must
- Hand towels — 1 to 2 per bathroom Must
- Washcloths — 1 to 2 per guest Must
- Bath mat (non-slip) Must
- Shower curtain + liner (if applicable) Must
- Toilet paper — minimum 4 rolls per bathroom stocked Must
- Liquid hand soap (pump dispenser) Must
- Shampoo & conditioner (travel-size or full bottle) Must
- Body wash or bar soap Must
- Hair dryer (1800W+) Must
- Toilet brush & holder Must
- Waste bin with liner Must
- Plunger (stored nearby or under sink) Must
- Cleaning spray & spare paper towels under sink Must
- Makeup / magnifying mirror Nice
15 items
Kitchen Essentials
24 must2 nice
- Plates, bowls, mugs, glasses — full set for max occupancy + 2 extra Must
- Silverware / flatware — knives, forks, spoons for full occupancy Must
- Cooking pots (small, medium, large) & lids Must
- Skillets / frying pans (small & large) Must
- Baking sheet & casserole dish Must
- Chef's knife, paring knife, bread knife Must
- Cutting boards (min. 2 — one for meat, one for produce) Must
- Mixing bowls (set of 3) Must
- Measuring cups & spoons Must
- Colander / strainer Must
- Can opener & bottle opener Must
- Vegetable peeler, spatulas, wooden spoons, tongs, ladle Must
- Oven mitts / pot holders Must
- Dish rack or drying mat Must
- Dish soap, sponge & scrub brush Must
- Dish towels (min. 4) Must
- Plastic wrap, aluminum foil, zip-lock bags Must
- Paper towels Must
- Coffee maker + filters (or pod machine) Must
- Toaster or toaster oven Must
- Microwave Must
- Salt, pepper, olive oil, basic spice selection Must
- Dishwasher pods (if dishwasher present) Must
- Trash can with bags; recycling bin Must
- Kettle (electric preferred) Nice
- Blender Nice
26 items
Living / Common Area
9 must3 nice
- Sofa or sectional sized for guest count Must
- Coffee table Must
- TV (smart TV, 40"+ recommended) + remote Must
- Streaming service login or cable access info Must
- WiFi router with strong signal throughout property Must
- WiFi name & password prominently displayed Must
- Adequate lighting: overhead + lamps Must
- Window treatments for privacy Must
- Charging station or accessible outlets Must
- Throw blankets & accent pillows Nice
- Bookshelf with reading material Nice
- Board games, cards, or activity options Nice
12 items
Cleaning & Laundry
8 must1 nice
- Washer & dryer (or clear instructions if shared / off-site) Must
- Laundry detergent + dryer sheets stocked Must
- Iron & ironing board Must
- Vacuum cleaner in working order Must
- Mop & bucket or Swiffer Must
- Broom & dustpan Must
- All-purpose cleaner, bathroom cleaner, glass cleaner Must
- Spare trash bags (all sizes used on property) Must
- Cleaning gloves Nice
9 items
Safety & Security
9 must1 nice
- Smoke detector — every bedroom & common area Must
- Carbon monoxide detector (required in most jurisdictions) Must
- Fire extinguisher (kitchen & easily accessible) Must
- First-aid kit (bandages, antiseptic, pain reliever, etc.) Must
- Keypad / smart lock or lockbox for self check-in Must
- Backup key stored off-site or in secondary lockbox Must
- Emergency contact list posted inside (host, fire, police, hospital) Must
- Flashlight + spare batteries Must
- Pool / hot tub safety equipment (if applicable) Must
- Night lights in hallways & bathrooms Nice
10 items
Guest Information & Hospitality
7 must3 nice
- Welcome binder / house manual (house rules, check-out instructions) Must
- Local area guide (restaurants, attractions, grocery stores) Must
- Parking instructions clearly written Must
- Trash & recycling day + instructions Must
- HVAC / thermostat instructions Must
- Appliance instruction cards (washer, coffee maker, TV, etc.) Must
- Spare keys or entry codes for guests Must
- Small welcome gesture: snacks, coffee, local treats Nice
- Reusable grocery bags Nice
- Umbrella(s) for guest use Nice
10 items
Technology & Utilities
4 must2 nice
- High-speed WiFi (25+ Mbps minimum; 100+ Mbps recommended) Must
- Reliable cell signal or WiFi calling enabled Must
- Smart TV with guest-friendly interface Must
- Outdoor lighting with dusk-to-dawn or motion sensors Must
- Smart thermostat (Nest, Ecobee, etc.) Nice
- Backup phone chargers / charging cables for guests Nice
6 items
Outdoor / Patio (if applicable)
5 must3 nice
- Outdoor seating (chairs + table) Must
- Grill with propane / charcoal + lighter + grill brush Must
- Lawn & landscaping maintained prior to each stay Must
- Outdoor trash / recycling receptacles Must
- Hose or outdoor water access Must
- Outdoor lighting (string lights, lanterns, etc.) Nice
- Bug spray & sunscreen (complimentary kit) Nice
- Outdoor umbrella or shade structure Nice
8 items
Want Us to Handle All of This?
Porch Light Reserve offers full co-hosting services. We set up, stock, and manage every item on this checklist so your launch lands at a 5-star standard from guest one.
Learn About Co-Hosting →