Owner guides
Preparing your apartment for Airbnb: an owner checklist
Bedding, kitchen, Wi-Fi, safety, keys, consumables, photos: everything to plan for so your first guests have a great stay.
3 min read
A well-prepared home shows in the very first reviews, and that is when a new listing’s visibility is decided. You don’t need to buy everything top of the range: above all, think like a guest discovering the place for a few nights.
Here is the checklist we use, theme by theme. On the regulatory side, also check the Alojamento Local requirements in our complete guide.
Bedding and linen
This is what comes up most often in reviews. A good mattress is worth more than beautiful décor.
Bedrooms
- Quality mattress, waterproof mattress protector on every bed
- Two pillows per person, of different firmness if possible
- Duvet suited to the season, plus a spare blanket
- Blackout curtains or shutters
- Bedside tables with a lamp and a socket within reach
Linen
- At least two full sets per bed, ideally three
- Bath and hand towels for each guest
- Bath mats, kitchen towels
- Plain-coloured linen, easy to wash and check
Kitchen
Even on short stays, many guests make at least breakfast. Beyond three nights, a proper kitchen becomes a deciding factor.
Equipment
- Hob, oven or microwave, fridge with a small freezer
- Coffee machine, kettle, toaster
- Pans in good condition, with lids
- Sharp knives, a chopping board
- Crockery and glasses for maximum capacity, plus two extra settings
Small essentials
- Salt, pepper, oil, sugar
- Washing-up liquid, sponges, bin bags
- Corkscrew, bottle opener, tin opener
Wi-Fi and workspace
Connection
- A reliable router, tested in every room
- Network name and password clearly displayed
- A repeater if the apartment is long or the walls thick
Work
- A table at the right height and a comfortable chair
- Accessible sockets, ideally with USB ports
Comfort, storage and lighting
Storage
- Wardrobe with plenty of hangers
- Space to open a suitcase
- A few empty drawers
Lighting
- Main light in every room, plus softer lamps
- Spare bulbs on site
- Enough light in the entrance and bathroom
Temperature
- Air conditioning for summer
- Effective heating for winter, often underestimated in Lisbon
- A dehumidifier if the home tends to be damp
- A spare fan
Safety
Some equipment is mandatory for Alojamento Local (for a capacity under 10 people); the rest is common sense.
Mandatory
- Accessible fire extinguisher
- Accessible fire blanket
- First-aid kit
- 112 emergency number clearly displayed
Recommended
- Smoke detector
- Sockets and extension leads in good condition
- Railings and windows checked, especially with children
- Instructions for the water heater and fuse box
Keys and access
To plan
- Chosen check-in method: smart lock, key box or in-person welcome
- Spare keys, including the building’s street door
- Arrival instructions with photos (street, door, floor)
- A plan B for failures or lost keys
To choose the right option, see the equipment that actually makes property management easier.
Consumables
Bathroom
- Soap, shampoo, shower gel
- Spare toilet paper
- Hairdryer
Welcome
- Coffee, tea and water for arrival
- Basic cleaning products
- Stock kept up to date and checked at every clean
Décor
Simple, warm décor with a local touch (azulejos, ceramics, photos of Lisbon) makes a home more memorable without making it fragile. Avoid valuable objects, hard-to-clean rugs and too many ornaments.
Upkeep
Before launch
- Deep clean (grout, windows, appliances)
- Small repairs done: taps, handles, doors
- Fresh paint where needed
- Cleaning and linen arrangements in place
Photos
Only shoot once everything else is done. Natural light, a spotless home, beds made perfectly. A professional shoot often pays for itself quickly. We come back to this in improving occupancy.
Guest information
Welcome guide
- Wi-Fi, how appliances work, waste sorting
- House rules: noise, parties, number of guests
- Emergency contact and the 112 number
- Useful addresses: pharmacy, supermarket, transport
- AL registration number and complaints book
What next?
A well-prepared home still needs looking after, stay after stay. To limit incidents, see what to do when a guest damages your property, and to decide who will handle all this, managing it yourself or using a property manager.
