Airbnb Checkout Instructions Template
Use a short checkout message that helps guests leave on time without turning them into cleaners. This guide gives hosts the guest wording, cleaner handoff, late checkout scripts and policy checks to keep operations tidy.
The short version
- Keep Airbnb checkout instructions to four light actions: leave on time, gather used towels, turn things off and lock up.
- For bookings made on or after 20 November 2026, Airbnb says house rules and requests must be reasonable and disclosed in the designated listing section at booking.
- Do not rely on a last minute message or fridge sign to add extra chores that were not shown before booking.
- The best checkout message also triggers a cleaner handoff, with timestamps, photos for real issues and a clear unit ready status.
- Late checkout should be an operations decision based on the cleaner calendar, next guest arrival and code expiry, not a casual yes.
An airbnb checkout instructions template should do two jobs: help the guest leave calmly, and tell your cleaner the unit is free. For most one to ten unit hosts, the best version is a four task list: check out on time, put used towels in one place, turn off lights, appliances and heating or cooling, then lock up or return keys.
Guests should not feel like unpaid cleaners. Airbnb’s current policy context matters too: for reservations booked on or after 20 November 2026, Airbnb says house rules and requests must be reasonable, disclosed in the designated listing section at booking, and not added later by message, signs or in person. Airbnb also gives examples of tasks that are generally not allowed, including stripping beds, taking trash offsite, and washing and putting away dishes. (airbnb.com)
Hi {first name}, thanks again for staying at {property name}. Checkout is by {checkout time} tomorrow.
Before you go, please:
1. Leave used towels {towel location}
2. Turn off lights, appliances and {heating or cooling wording}
3. Close windows and lock the door
4. Leave {keys or fob} {key location}
No need to strip beds or clean. Our cleaner will handle the reset.
A quick message when you have left is helpful, as it tells us the unit is free for housekeeping. Safe journey.The short answer: use a four task checkout list
If you only change one thing, make your checkout short enough for a tired guest to read while packing. The common Airbnb checkout instructions that work best are simple, visible before booking where required, and repeated once before departure.
Use this default list:
- Checkout time
- Used towels in one agreed place
- Lights, appliances, windows and heating or cooling set safe
- Lock up and return keys, with an optional message when leaving
That is enough for most apartments, houses and serviced apartments. It protects the unit without asking guests to do laundry, clean bathrooms, mop floors or reset the home to arrival condition.
Airbnb now also says checkout can affect reviews. In its host guidance, Airbnb says checkout is the guest’s final experience, and that making chores part of your own cleaning routine could lead to better reviews. (airbnb.com)
The guest message should stay short because the real checklist belongs to housekeeping.
Airbnb checkout instructions template you can copy
This is the main airbnb check out instructions message I would use for a normal two or three night stay. Send it the evening before checkout, not at midnight and not after the guest has already left.
Hi {first name}, I hope you have had a lovely stay at {property name}.
A quick note for tomorrow: checkout is by {checkout time}.
Before leaving, please put used towels {towel location}, turn off lights and appliances, set {thermostat instruction}, close the windows and lock the door. Please leave {keys, fob or parking pass} {key location}.
No need to strip beds or clean. Our cleaner will handle the reset.
If you can send a quick message once you have left, that helps us tell housekeeping the unit is free. Safe journey, and thank you for staying with us.Use this shorter version on the morning of checkout if needed:
Good morning {first name}, checkout is by {checkout time} today. Please lock up, leave {keys or fob} {key location}, and message us once you have left so we can release the unit for housekeeping.If you already use scheduled guest messages, keep the tone consistent with your arrival flow. You can also align this with your wider sequence using Airbnb automated messages from booking to review and your arrival wording in this Airbnb check in message template.
What to ask guests to do and what not to ask
This is where hosts get into trouble. The line is not whether the task is easy for you. The line is whether it is reasonable for a guest, shown properly before booking where required, and not normally cleaner work.
| Task | Guest friendly wording | Cleaner benefit | Risk level | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Leave on time | Checkout is by {time} | Cleaner can start on schedule | OK | Make time clear in listing and reminder |
| Used towels | Please leave used towels in {place} | Speeds first laundry load | OK | Airbnb itself lists gathering used towels as a checkout instruction option (airbnb.co.uk) |
| Lights and appliances | Please turn off lights and appliances | Reduces wasted energy and risk | OK | Keep safety appliances untouched |
| Windows and doors | Please close windows and lock up | Protects security and weather risk | OK | Lock up is one of Airbnb’s standard rule options (airbnb.com) |
| Keys and fobs | Leave keys in {place} | Avoids lost key delay | OK | Be exact about location |
| Message when leaving | A quick message helps housekeeping | Starts turnover earlier | OK | Phrase as helpful, not compulsory if not disclosed |
| Dishes | Please place used dishes in the sink | Lets cleaner see what needs washing | Risky | Avoid asking guests to wash and put away dishes |
| Trash | Please use the indoor bin and close the lid | Contains smell and pests | Risky | Avoid offsite disposal unless context is clearly disclosed and reasonable |
| Towels or linens laundry | No guest wording | None worth the review risk | Avoid | Laundry is cleaner work |
| Strip beds | No need to strip beds | Cleaner can inspect linens | Avoid | Airbnb names stripping beds as a task normally done by a cleaner (airbnb.com) |
| Vacuum, mop or bathroom clean | No guest wording | None | Avoid | Treat as normal turnover |
| Hot tub cover or BBQ | Please replace the cover after use | Protects amenity | Risky | Better as use guidance during stay, not a checkout chore |
| Streaming logout | Please log out of any personal streaming accounts | Protects guest privacy | OK | Helpful, not punitive |
| Pet mess | Please let us know if there has been a pet accident | Faster cleaner response | OK | Do not turn it into a garden clean demand unless properly disclosed |
Airbnb policy update hosts need to know
For reservations booked on or after 20 November 2026, Airbnb’s reasonable house rules and requests policy changes the practical way hosts should write checkout instructions. Airbnb says rules and requests must be disclosed in the designated listing section at the time of booking, and hosts may not communicate new rules or requests after booking by message, signs in the home or in person. (airbnb.com)
In plain English: your scheduled message can remind guests about instructions they already had, but it should not invent a new chore list the night before checkout.
A house rule is something the guest must follow, such as no smoking or lock up at checkout. A request is a reasonable ask, such as turning off lights or placing used dishes in the sink. A helpful reminder repeats what the guest already saw or gives practical detail, such as where to leave the fob.
Airbnb also says context can matter. Examples include animal proof trash in bear country or shower limits where drought related water restrictions apply. That does not mean every host can add a long trash run or laundry process. It means local and property specific context should be disclosed properly and kept reasonable. (airbnb.com)
If you list on more than one channel, the same principle applies operationally. Vrbo says house rules help show what is allowed before a guest books, and its welcome guide can include check in and check out instructions. Booking.com also tells partners that house rules set guest behaviour expectations. (help.vrbo.com)
Where to put checkout instructions in Airbnb
Airbnb says hosts can add or update check in and checkout instructions in the Listing editor, under the Arrival guide. The same Airbnb help page says checkout instructions are available to guests before booking, while detailed check in instructions are released 48 hours before check in. (airbnb.co.uk)
In practice, keep four places aligned:
- The designated Airbnb house rules and requests area
- The Airbnb checkout instructions in the Arrival guide
- Your scheduled message or quick reply
- The printed card or house manual inside the unit
Do not have one version in Airbnb, another on the fridge and a third in your cleaner notes. That creates arguments, especially if the guest can prove the task was not disclosed before booking.
Also check building and safety rules. If you host in England, GOV.UK says people letting self catering short term holiday accommodation must follow fire safety, gas and carbon monoxide safety, electrical safety and other rules. That is a reminder that checkout wording should never tell guests to interfere with safety items or block escape routes. (gov.uk)
When to send the checkout message
For a small host, the cadence should be boring and repeatable.
At booking or before arrival, mention checkout time only. During the stay, keep messages useful. The evening before checkout, send the full short reminder, usually around early evening. On the morning of checkout, send a one or two sentence reminder only if your guests often miss the time, your unit has a same day turnover, or the booking is a one night stay.
Airbnb says it automatically sends notifications to guests with checkout time and instructions, and that opted in guests receive a push notification at 5:00 PM in the property time zone. After checkout, guests are reminded to let the host know they have left. (airbnb.com)
Even so, do not assume every guest sees every app notification. People are packing, travelling, charging phones and dealing with children. Your own checkout message should be short enough to help, not long enough to annoy.
For a one night stay, send the message after check in or early evening, because there is no long lead time.
Tie the guest message to the housekeeping checklist
This is the missing piece in most Airbnb checkout instructions examples. The guest sees four tasks. The cleaner sees the real turnover checklist.
| Guest sees | Cleaner sees |
|---|---|
| Checkout by {time} | Timestamp actual departure source: guest message, lock activity, host confirmation or arrival at door |
| Used towels in {place} | Collect towels, start laundry, note missing or stained items |
| Turn off lights, appliances and heating or cooling | Check appliances, windows, heating, cooling, smoke alarms and any safety concern |
| Lock up and leave keys | Check entry, keys, fobs, parking pass and lock status |
| Message when leaving | Open turnover checklist and update cleaner arrival time |
A strong internal housekeeping checklist then covers: entry condition, photos only where needed, beds stripped by cleaner, towels collected, dishes and sink checked, trash and recycling handled, surfaces cleaned, bathroom reset, supplies restocked, maintenance notes logged, lost property recorded and unit ready marked.
The unit is free trigger can be a guest message, smart lock activity, a host manual confirmation or cleaner arrival at the planned time. The point is not to spy on guests. The point is to stop cleaners arriving too early, reduce same day panic and keep the guest message polite.
For hosts who want this joined up, See an instant demo of guest messages and cleaner handoff. YourFrontDesk builds the housekeeping list from checkouts, puts every channel on one calendar and keeps the front desk in the middle, so the cleaner handoff follows the reservation rather than a sticky note.
Worked examples for common short let setups
One bedroom apartment with smart lock
Guest wording: Checkout is by {time}. Please place used towels in the bathroom, turn off lights and appliances, close windows and lock the door behind you. No need to strip beds or clean.
Cleaner note: Smart lock code expires at {time}. If guest messages early, start turnover checklist and confirm entry condition.
Family house with several bedrooms
Guest wording: Please leave used towels in the bathrooms where they are, turn off lights and close windows before locking the front and back doors. Our cleaner will handle beds, bins and the full reset.
Cleaner note: Check all bathrooms first, start towel loads, then inspect bedrooms for left behind items.
Pet friendly unit
Guest wording: If there has been a pet accident, please message us so we can send the cleaner in with the right supplies. Safe journey, and thank you for bringing your pet responsibly.
Cleaner note: Check entrance mat, soft furnishings and garden before normal clean. Photograph only actual damage or extra cleaning issues.
Same day turnover
Guest wording: Checkout is by {time} today as our cleaner is scheduled shortly after. A quick message when you leave really helps us prepare for the next guest.
Cleaner note: Do not arrive before checkout unless guest confirms departure. Prioritise beds, bathrooms, restock and unit ready photo.
Building or local rule
Guest wording: Please follow the building rule shown in the listing and house manual: {rule}. It helps us keep the apartment available for guests.
Cleaner note: Record any breach only if visible and relevant. Do not confront guests.
Late checkout message examples
Late checkout is not a messaging problem. It is an operations problem. Never approve until you check the cleaner calendar, next guest arrival, access code expiry and buffer time.
Hi {first name}, yes, we can extend checkout to {new time}. I have updated housekeeping so they will arrive after that time. Please still lock up and leave {keys or fob} {key location}. Thanks for checking first.Hi {first name}, sorry, we cannot offer a late checkout today because our cleaner is booked and the next guest arrives later. Checkout remains {checkout time}. You are welcome to leave luggage at {luggage option if available}.Hi {first name}, we can offer checkout at {new time} for {price}, subject to confirmation before {deadline}. If you would like it, I will update the cleaner schedule and access code expiry.If you use smart locks, update the code expiry when you approve. If you use a lockbox, tell the cleaner the new permitted entry time. If you cannot protect the next check in, decline politely.
Review friendly wording that does not annoy guests
Checkout is the last thing the guest feels before the review prompt. The tone should be thankful, calm and clear.
Avoid threats, fines, all caps and long chore lists. Do not say, “If you do not take the bins out you will be charged.” Airbnb says hosts may not impose their own fines or penalties under the reasonable house rules and requests policy. (airbnb.com)
Use one soft review line after departure, not a desperate five star plea.
Thanks for staying with us, {first name}. The cleaner has arrived safely and we hope you had a good trip.
If you enjoyed your stay, a review helps future guests know what to expect. If there is anything we could have made clearer, please feel free to message us privately too.That wording asks for feedback without pressuring the guest. It also makes the final interaction feel human, not punitive.
What to do if guests do not follow checkout instructions
Separate normal mess from damage. Towels left in bedrooms, lights left on or dishes in the sink are usually cleaner notes, not guest disputes. Chasing small issues can cost more in review damage than it saves in labour.
For real issues, document them. Your cleaner note should include the reservation, unit, date, actual checkout time if known, photos, what was found, extra time needed, and any safety or maintenance follow up.
Airbnb says Host damage protection can reimburse hosts for certain damage caused by guests, and for extra cleaning in certain cases such as stains, pet accidents or smoke odour. It also says hosts should document the issue with photos or videos, estimates or receipts, and file within 14 days of checkout if they want to involve Airbnb Support. (airbnb.com)
Use this internal incident note:
Reservation: {reservation name or code}
Unit: {property name}
Checkout date and time found: {date and time}
Reported by: {cleaner or host name}
Issue: {short factual description}
Photos taken: {yes or no}
Extra time or cost: {minutes or amount if known}
Guest contacted: {yes or no}
Next action: {monitor, message guest, maintenance, Resolution Centre}Final checklist for hosts with one to ten units
Use this implementation list before your next stay:
- Rewrite the Airbnb listing requests so anything material is disclosed in the correct place before booking.
- Replace the scheduled checkout message with a short reminder, not a new rule list.
- Remove old signs that ask guests to strip beds, wash dishes or take trash offsite.
- Update the cleaner checklist so cleaners, not guests, own the turnover.
- Set a departure trigger: guest message, smart lock signal, host confirmation or planned cleaner arrival.
- Test it on one stay.
- Review cleaner notes after the first week and adjust wording only where guests were genuinely confused.
| Guest instruction | Airbnb listing wording | Scheduled message wording | Cleaner checklist item |
|---|---|---|---|
| Checkout time | Checkout is by {time} | Reminder that checkout is {time} | Record actual departure source |
| Towels | Please gather used towels in {place} | Same wording | Start towel laundry |
| Lock up | Lock all doors and windows | Please lock up before leaving | Check locks and keys |
| Heating or cooling | Turn off or set to {setting} | Same wording | Verify safe setting |
| Departure message | A message when you leave helps housekeeping | Please message once you have left | Open turnover checklist |
If you run several channels, keep the same operational rule everywhere. Your guest wording may change by platform, but the cleaner handoff should not.
Next steps
Copy the template, remove any old chore language, and make sure your Airbnb listing, scheduled message, house manual and cleaner checklist all say the same thing. If you want the guest message and housekeeping handoff to run from one calendar, start with YourFrontDesk for hosts and apartment managers, read How YourFrontDesk works, or see an instant demo of guest messages and cleaner handoff.
What people ask next
What should Airbnb checkout instructions include?
Include the checkout time, where to leave used towels, what to turn off, how to lock up, and where to leave keys or fobs. Add a polite line asking guests to message when they have left if that helps your cleaner schedule.
How do I add checkout instructions on Airbnb?
Add them in the Airbnb Listing editor, in the Arrival guide and checkout instructions area. If a request is material, make sure it is also in the correct house rules or requests area before booking, not only in a later message.
Does Airbnb automatically send checkout instructions to guests?
Airbnb says it automatically sends guests checkout time and instructions, and may send a push notification if the guest has opted in. Hosts should still send a short reminder because not every guest sees every app notification.
When should I send an Airbnb checkout message?
For most stays, send the main checkout message in the early evening before departure. For a one night stay or a same day turnover, send a shorter reminder after check in or on the morning of checkout.
Should Airbnb guests strip the beds?
No, that is usually cleaner work. It is better to tell guests there is no need to strip beds, because the cleaner can inspect linens properly and handle laundry as part of the normal turnover.
Can Airbnb hosts ask guests to take out the trash?
Be careful. Asking guests to use an indoor bin or close a bin lid may be reasonable, but asking them to take trash offsite is specifically named by Airbnb as a task that is generally not allowed under its reasonable requests policy.
Can hosts ask guests to wash dishes before checkout?
Avoid asking guests to wash and put away dishes. A safer wording is to ask guests to place used dishes in the sink, then let the cleaner handle the proper wash and reset.
Can I charge a guest for not following checkout instructions?
Do not impose your own fines or penalties for missed checkout chores. For real damage or qualifying extra cleaning, document the issue with photos, timestamps and cleaner notes, then use the platform process where appropriate.