The hours before a guest arrives are some of the most important in shortlet management. No matter how beautiful your apartment looks online, the condition guests meet when they open the door can determine how they feel about the entire stay.

A properly prepared apartment should be clean, comfortable, functional, secure, and exactly as advertised.

For shortlet owners and property managers, having a consistent pre-check-in routine can help prevent complaints, improve reviews, and create a memorable first impression.

Here’s how to prepare your apartment before every guest arrives.

1. Deep Clean the Apartment 🧹

Cleanliness should be your first priority.

Pay attention to:

• Floors
• Furniture
• Windows and mirrors
• Kitchen surfaces
• Bathrooms
• Wardrobes
• Tables
• Door handles
• Light switches

Look beyond obvious areas. Dust underneath furniture, inspect corners, and remove hair or stains left by previous guests.

👉 Guests notice cleanliness immediately, and a dirty apartment can damage their impression before the stay has even started.

2. Prepare Fresh Bedding 🛏️

Replace all bedding after every guest.

Check:

• Bedsheets
• Pillowcases
• Duvet covers
• Mattress protectors
• Pillows

Make sure everything is clean, fresh, properly arranged, and free from stains.

Inspect the mattress and bed frame periodically as well.

👉 A beautifully prepared bed instantly makes the apartment feel more comfortable and inviting.

3. Prepare the Bathroom Carefully

Bathrooms require special attention because guests are particularly sensitive to cleanliness in these areas.

Check:

• Toilet
• Shower
• Sink
• Mirrors
• Drainage
• Water pressure
• Hot water
• Towels
• Toilet paper

Remove stains, hair, soap residue, and unpleasant odors.

👉 A spotless bathroom is one of the clearest signs of professional property management.

4. Restock Guest Essentials

Depending on what your property provides, ensure essential supplies are available.

These may include:

• Toilet paper
• Soap
• Bottled water
• Towels
• Trash bags
• Dishwashing liquid
• Tea and coffee
• Basic toiletries

Keep an inventory checklist so your housekeeping team knows the required quantity for every check-in.

👉 Don't wait for guests to request basic items that should already be available.

5. Test Electricity and Backup Power ⚡

For properties in Nigeria, reliable power can significantly influence guest satisfaction.

Before arrival, check:

• Main electricity supply
• Generator
• Fuel level
• Inverter
• Solar system where applicable
• Lights
• Electrical sockets

Don't assume everything works because it worked during the previous booking.

👉 Test essential systems before every new guest arrives.

6. Test the Air Conditioners

Turn on every air conditioner before check-in.

Confirm that:

• Cooling works properly
• Remote controls work
• There are no unusual sounds
• There are no unpleasant smells
• There are no leaks

Regular servicing can reduce emergency breakdowns.

👉 Discovering a faulty AC before check-in gives you time to fix it before it becomes a guest complaint.

7. Check the Water and Plumbing 🚿

Test:

• Showers
• Toilets
• Kitchen taps
• Bathroom taps
• Water heaters
• Drainage

Look underneath sinks for leaks and check for unusual smells.

👉 A beautiful apartment quickly becomes uncomfortable when basic utilities don't work.

8. Test the Wi-Fi

Don't simply check whether the router has lights.

Connect a device and confirm that the internet actually works.

Ensure:

• Subscription is active
• Connection is stable
• Password is correct
• Wi-Fi information is easy to find

This is particularly important for business travelers and remote workers.

👉 Reliable internet has become an essential part of the guest experience.

9. Test Appliances and Electronics

Check all major equipment, including:

• Television
• Refrigerator
• Microwave
• Washing machine
• Kettle
• Cooker
• Water heater
• Iron
• Remote controls

Replace weak batteries and report faulty equipment immediately.

👉 Everything advertised in your listing should be functional when the guest arrives.

10. Inspect the Kitchen 🍽️

Check that the kitchen is clean and properly arranged.

Inspect:

• Plates
• Cups
• Cutlery
• Pots
• Pans
• Cooking utensils
• Refrigerator
• Microwave
• Cooker

Remove expired food or items left by previous guests unless your property's policy specifically allows otherwise.

👉 A clean, functional kitchen adds significant convenience, especially for families and longer-stay guests.

11. Check for Damage or Missing Items

Conduct a quick inventory inspection before every check-in.

Look for:

• Missing towels
• Damaged furniture
• Broken glasses
• Missing remote controls
• Stained linens
• Damaged appliances
• Missing kitchen items

Record problems and replace important items before arrival.

👉 Regular inventory checks prevent small losses from becoming expensive over time.

12. Remove Unpleasant Odors

An apartment may look clean but still smell unpleasant.

Check for odors from:

• Bathrooms
• Drains
• Kitchen bins
• Refrigerator
• Damp areas
• Previous cooking
• Smoking

Ventilate the property where appropriate and identify the actual cause instead of simply covering smells with excessive air freshener.

👉 A fresh-smelling apartment creates an immediate feeling of cleanliness.

13. Set the Right Temperature and Lighting

Before the guest arrives:

• Open curtains where appropriate
• Switch on selected lights
• Ensure rooms aren't excessively hot
• Arrange cushions and décor
• Keep the apartment visually welcoming

Small presentation details can significantly improve the arrival experience.

👉 Your goal is for the apartment to feel welcoming the moment the door opens.

14. Check Security 🔐

Inspect:

• Door locks
• Windows
• Access cards
• Smart locks
• Gate access
• Security systems

Make sure the previous guest's access has been removed or changed where your system requires it.

👉 Guest safety should never be treated as an afterthought.

15. Prepare Check-In Information

Send guests important information before arrival.

Include:

• Address or location instructions
• Check-in time
• Access instructions
• Parking information
• Contact person
• Relevant house rules

Avoid sending complicated instructions at the last minute.

👉 A smooth arrival process creates confidence before the guest even enters the apartment.

16. Add a Simple Welcome Touch

Small details can make the experience feel more thoughtful.

Depending on your service level, you might provide:

• Bottled water
• A welcome note
• Tea or coffee
• Local recommendations
• Basic refreshments

You don't need an expensive welcome package for every guest.

👉 Thoughtfulness often matters more than cost.

17. Conduct a Final Walkthrough

Before handing the apartment over, someone responsible should conduct one final inspection.

Don't rely entirely on the cleaner's report.

Walk through the property as though you were the guest.

Ask:

Does the apartment look exactly like what we advertised?

Would I be comfortable checking into this property right now?

👉 The final inspection is your last opportunity to catch a problem before the guest does.

Quick Pre-Check-In Checklist ✅

Cleanliness

☐ Floors cleaned
☐ Bathroom spotless
☐ Kitchen cleaned
☐ Fresh bedding installed
☐ Fresh towels provided
☐ Bins emptied
☐ Apartment smells fresh

Utilities

☐ Electricity working
☐ Backup power available
☐ Water running
☐ Hot water working
☐ Air conditioners tested
☐ Wi-Fi tested

Appliances

☐ TV working
☐ Refrigerator working
☐ Microwave working
☐ Cooker working
☐ Remote controls available

Guest Essentials

☐ Toilet paper
☐ Soap/toiletries
☐ Bottled water where provided
☐ Kitchen essentials
☐ Wi-Fi information

Security & Arrival

☐ Door locks checked
☐ Access system working
☐ Check-in instructions sent
☐ Guest contact confirmed
☐ Final inspection completed

Final Thoughts

Preparing a shortlet before check-in isn't simply about cleaning the apartment.

It's about ensuring that everything the guest expects is ready before they arrive.

A strong pre-check-in routine should cover:

✔ Cleanliness
✔ Fresh bedding and towels
✔ Water and electricity
✔ Wi-Fi
✔ Air conditioning
✔ Appliances
✔ Guest supplies
✔ Security
✔ Check-in communication
✔ Final property inspection

Consistency is what separates professionally managed shortlets from properties that constantly react to guest complaints.

The best time to discover a problem is before your guest does.

Preparing, inspecting, and maintaining a shortlet before every guest arrival can become demanding—especially when managing multiple properties in Lagos.

LandMall Property Management helps shortlet owners:

👉 Coordinate cleaning and housekeeping
👉 Conduct pre-check-in property inspections
👉 Monitor maintenance and essential amenities
👉 Manage guest communication and arrivals
👉 Keep properties consistently guest-ready
👉 Deliver professional shortlet management from check-in to check-out

📩 Contact LandMall Property Management today and let us handle the details that create better guest experiences and stronger property performance.

Because a great guest experience doesn't begin after check-in—it begins with how well you prepare before they arrive.

For Inquiries / Inspection Reservations, please Call/WhatsApp:-
☎️ 09019001191
📧 landmallshortlets@gmail.com