The Most Common Guest Issues in Holiday Lets — And How We Fix Them Fast

When something in a short-term rental doesn’t work as expected, it’s not just a minor inconvenience — it can derail a guest’s holiday. From no hot water to confusing heating controls, some of the most common maintenance issues are small problems that just need fast, informed troubleshooting.

At Red Kite Hosts, we manage over 100 holiday homes — many of them rural cottages with older heating systems, tricky thermostats, and unique quirks. But even in complex setups, we resolve most issues quickly because of one key factor: preparation.

What are the most common guest-reported issues?

The majority of guest-reported maintenance issues fall into three areas:

• Heating
• Hot water
• Wi-Fi

These are essentials — so even short delays in fixing them can have a big impact. That’s why we’re set up to troubleshoot and resolve them fast.

How do we solve problems quickly?

The key to resolving issues quickly isn’t having a van full of tools like in the photo above— it’s having accurate, detailed information in advance.

We document every system in every home during onboarding: heating type, hot water setup, broadband provider, and location of all meters and fuse boxes. We also log model numbers and serial codes for all major appliances — from ovens and hobs to microwaves, air fryers, and TVs. This allows us to provide helpful support remotely, or share details directly with the right contractor without delay.

Our Maintenance Manager Adam explains:

“Preparation is the key here. We have extensive information on the different systems in place at each individual property. This helps us use our methodical step-by-step guide to work through potential problems and resolutions — all while reassuring the guest we’ll get it sorted quickly.”

Without this, your only options are visiting the property in person or asking the guest to diagnose things for you — which can be disruptive and frustrating for someone on holiday.

What’s usually a quick fix?

A surprising number of maintenance requests aren’t true emergencies — they just need a bit of guidance.

One example: heating controls. Modern thermostats and programmers vary widely, and guests are often unfamiliar with the system in your home.

“Heating controls tend to be an issue guests need help with,” says Adam. “We provide clear instructions at the home, but often we’ll still be needed to talk them through it.”

That’s why we proactively provide clear written instructions and often manuals. And when needed, we’re on hand to guide them calmly through any confusion.

What if something really needs a contractor?

If we can’t solve the issue remotely, we act quickly — thanks to an established network of trusted local contractors across all trades.

We already know who to contact for boilers, locks, leaks, or electrical issues — and we make sure they have all the information needed to help on the first visit.

Adam puts it like this:

“We pride ourselves on having an extensive bank of contractors from all types of trades. This allows us to react quickly and attend to all issues — no matter how great or small — promptly and efficiently.”

We also make sure someone from Red Kite is always available to speak to the guest and coordinate the visit — so they know what to expect and feel supported throughout.

Preventing problems before they arise

Quick fixes are important — but preventing problems in the first place is even better.

We carry out regular maintenance inspections to spot early signs of wear, identify slow leaks, check smoke alarms, and flag potential issues before they impact a stay. This proactive approach means fewer emergency callouts and a better guest experience overall.

We also take precautions like fitting secondary lockboxes with spare keys at all homes. If there’s an issue but the guest has taken the keys with them, we can assist without needing to wait for them to return or if they lock the keys inside, we can save an expensive locksmith call out.

Why does fast support matter?

In short-term lets, speed really matters. Guests are usually only staying for a few days — so losing half a day to a cold house or no internet is a major issue.

We aim to resolve urgent issues quickly and prioritise high-impact problems — while clearly communicating timelines and solutions. For low priority issues, we manage expectations realistically, and always keep guests informed.

Whether it’s fixing a boiler fault or helping someone reset a thermostat, the key is having the right information and support in place before issues arise.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What are the most common maintenance issues in an Airbnb?
The most common Airbnb maintenance issues are heating, hot water, and Wi-Fi problems. These often stem from system controls or minor settings, and many can be resolved remotely with the right property information in advance.

How do Airbnb hosts fix maintenance issues quickly?
Fast issue resolution depends on having detailed property records, including appliance models, heating systems, and key access. Many issues can be diagnosed remotely, and trusted local contractors are on hand for in-person fixes when needed.

What if a guest locks themselves out of an Airbnb?
Red Kite Hosts equips every property with a secondary lockbox containing a spare set of keys. If a guest is locked out, we can grant emergency access without delay.

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