Equipment Checklist for a Short-Term Rental

You never even notice these features when they're there. None of them will raise your price. If any of them are missing, your rating will drop—and your rating determines your ranking in search results far more than your price does.

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  Mattresses less than five years old, at least 20 cm thick

  This is the item most frequently mentioned in the comments, both positive and negative. Always use a washable mattress protector underneath.
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  Two pillows per bed—one firm and one soft

  The traveler doesn't have your body type or your habits. Giving them a choice costs about 40 euros.
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  A season-appropriate comforter and a lightweight bedspread for summer

  You can't use the same comforter in February and August on the coast. Having both on hand means you won't have to leave the window open all night.
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  Three sets of sheets per bed

  With two sets, the rotation stops at the first stop, which is followed by the next one. Cotton is machine-washable at 60 degrees.
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  Fiber-optic Wi-Fi, tested from the farthest room

  A speed test run from the router doesn't prove anything. If speeds drop below 30 Mbps in the back room, you'll lose the business customers—the ones who stay the longest.
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  Wi-Fi password posted in the apartment

  Clearly displayed in the living room. It alone takes care of a good portion of the messages on the day of arrival.
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  Air conditioning, or, failing that, powerful fans in every room

  From June through September, it’s no longer comfortable. It’s the main reason for a lukewarm review of an otherwise impeccable place to stay.
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  Effective blackout in every room

  Blackout, not sheer. The sun rises early in July, and south-facing apartments are unbearable without them.
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  Heating that works in every room

  The mistral causes the wind chill to drop much faster than the temperature. A poorly heated home in January is reflected in the January reviews and then weighs on the average for the entire year.
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  White bath towels, two sets per person

  White only: It bleaches at high temperatures, can be checked at a glance, and can be replaced individually. Just one gray towel is enough to lower the cleanliness score.
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  Reliable Self-Service Access

  Key box or smart lock. Arrivals after 9 p.m. do happen, and so do delayed trains.
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  Hair dryer, stored in plain sight

  No one carries it anymore. At the back of a closet, it generates a message; on the shelf, it generates none.
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  Iron and ironing board

  Expected by business guests and anyone staying more than three nights.
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  Washing machine, with detergent provided

  For stays longer than four nights, use the search filter on the platforms. The pods help prevent messes.
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  Seating for the advertised capacity, and a real dining table

  A listing for a six-person apartment with four chairs always prompts a comment.
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  Multiple light sources per room

  The ceiling light alone gives off a hospital-like glow. That's true in real life, and it looks even worse in photos.

One out of every two stays includes at least one meal prepared on site, and that proportion increases with the length of the stay. An incomplete kitchen results in extra grocery shopping and one fewer review.

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  Dishes and silverware for the advertised capacity, plus two

  A breakdown is coming. Having a buffer prevents the need for emergency repairs between trips.
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  Two skillets and three pots of different sizes

  Including a large pot. Pasta remains the most commonly prepared dish in vacation rentals.
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  Knives that cut, including a chef's knife

  A dull knife is one of the most common complaints—and one of the cheapest to fix.
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  Cutting board, colander, salad bowl, oven-safe dish

  Everything you need for a real meal—not just for reheating.
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  Kettle and coffee maker, with enough supplies to make the first two cups of coffee

  Specify the type of coffee maker in the ad: a traveler who bought the wrong capsules will mention it.
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  Toaster

  Breakfast served on-site is the norm, not the exception.
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  Microwave

  That's where I warm up the evening meal and prepare the morning bottle.
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  Dishwasher, if the layout allows it

  It's visible at the time of booking, and it reduces the turnaround time between stays.
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  Corkscrew, bottle opener, can opener

  Three items that cost two euros each, the absence of which causes a disproportionately high level of annoyance.
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  Salt, pepper, oil, sugar

  Emergency assistance on the first night, when everything is closed and the traveler arrives at 10 p.m.
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  Trash can, replacement bags, and written recycling guidelines

  Collection days vary from neighborhood to neighborhood in Toulon. Make a note of them, or else the trash will remain in your home.

Minor issues, low cost—and yet they’re overrepresented in the comments. They’re annoyances, and annoyances get written about.

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  Amenities in wall-mounted dispensers

  It looks neater, there's less waste, and there are no half-empty bottles lying around from one room to the next.
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  Toilet paper within easy reach, clearly visible

  At least three rolls. Nobody wants to rummage through them.
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  Full-length mirror

  In the bedroom or in the entryway. It costs nothing, and is mentioned surprisingly often.
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  At least twenty hangers, all identical

  No wire dry-cleaning hangers.
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  A place to set down an open suitcase

  A bench, a luggage rack, or an open space. The ground doesn't matter.
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  Nightstands and lamps on both sides of the double bed

  The second occupant notices this immediately.
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  Accessible outlets near the bed, including a USB port

  Either the phone charges there, or it doesn't.
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  Clothesline

  First, check what your condominium bylaws allow, particularly regarding balconies and railings.
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  Broom, vacuum cleaner, mop, and basic cleaning supplies

  So that the traveler can pick up what he has spilled, rather than leaving it behind.

This is the section that doesn't appear on any national list. It's based on feedback from the properties we manage in Mourillon, Cap Brun, and downtown Toulon.

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  A portable fan, even with air conditioning

  It never serves all the rooms equally, and the back room always gets the least.
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  A water fountain at the entrance if you're near the beaches

  Sand tracked into the apartment is a recurring issue from June through September—for you as well as for the cleaning staff.
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  Beach towels, which are different from bath towels

  Without them, your beach towels will end up on the sand. Our linens package doesn't cover them—it's up to you to decide.
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  A soft cooler

  There are no shops at Anse Méjean, Anse Magaud, or the coves at Cap Brun.
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  Mosquito nets or diffusers

  On July nights, we sleep with the windows open.
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  A beach umbrella, table, and chairs if you have a balcony or a garden

  An attractive exterior is a sorting criterion on platforms, and a photo that sells.
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  A place to hang up my swimsuits and towels to dry

  They'll dry somewhere anyway. It might as well be in a place that complies with the regulations and isn't visible from the street.
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  Parking rules, in black and white

  Parking at Le Mourillon on a Saturday in August is a real challenge. Planning ahead helps you avoid a stressful start to your stay—and any complaints about the parking situation.
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  Storage for bikes, surfboards, or scuba gear

  That's what attracts the sports-loving clientele—who are numerous here—and who are happy to make reservations during the off-season.

All of the above helps avoid losing points. What follows raises the average price or attracts new customers. You should only move on to this once the foundation is complete: doing it the other way around never works.

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  Crib, high chair, stair gate

  It attracts families, who book earlier and stay longer. Be sure to mention this in the ad; otherwise, the amenities are useless.
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  A real workspace

  A desk, a comfortable chair, a dedicated light, and outlets within reach. The dining table doesn't count.
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  Smart TV with streaming services

  That's where travelers spend their evenings, especially during the off-season.
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  Board games, cards, and a few books about the region

  For a rainy day, and for the month of November.
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  Barbecue or griddle, if the outdoor setting allows it

  A clear point of differentiation for homes, and a photo that gets people to click.
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  Two bicycles with locks

  The coastline is perfect for cycling, from Mourillon to Cap Brun.
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  Enough to make plenty of ice cubes

  Unremarkable for nine months of the year, but crucial in August.
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  Bathrobes

  Low cost, immediate "hotel effect," particularly for properties with a pool.
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  A local welcome gift

  A bottle of Bandol wine, a bar of soap, a few shuttle rides. It comes up in the comments far more often than its price would suggest.
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  A cohesive and confident decor scheme

  Textiles, frames, plants. That's what sets your photos apart from the thirty other listings in the same neighborhood.

These details aren't visible in any photos, but they're your responsibility, and they'll save you a lot of time if something breaks.

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  Smoke detector in working order

  This is mandatory, and should be done between stays rather than just once a year.
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  Fire extinguisher and fire blanket if you have a gas stove

  Inexpensive, but rarely found.
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  An easily accessible first-aid kit

  And listed in the welcome booklet—otherwise, it won't be of any use to anyone.
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  Emergency numbers and exact address displayed

  A panicked traveler can't say where he is. Having the address written in large letters saves valuable minutes.
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  Equipment manuals all in one place

  Stove, oven, washing machine, air conditioning. That's what keeps you from having to call on a Sunday night.
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  Meters, shut-off valves, and circuit breakers identified and labeled

  Shutting off the water in five minutes rather than an hour makes a big difference in the extent of the damage.
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  A written and photographed initial inventory

  This is the only piece of evidence that will prove that the damage did not exist before the stay.
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  Insurance that truly covers short-term rentals

  Most non-occupant landlord insurance policies do not cover items that break within a short period of time.