Why Property Inspections Matter for Holiday Let Success

If you want your holiday home to perform consistently, with glowing reviews, repeat guests, and a high nightly rate, you need more than just good housekeeping and guest communication. You need a maintenance inspection routine.

At Red Kite Hosts, we carry out structured property inspections that go beyond a quick check of lightbulbs and the lockbox. They’re designed to catch issues that guests might never mention, but that still impact their stay. In this post, we’re sharing why inspections matter, what we look for, and how a proactive approach can prevent bad reviews, protect your property, and even increase your earnings.

Why Maintenance Inspections Matter

Many DIY hosts rely on guest feedback to find out when something’s wrong. The issue with that?

By the time a guest complains, it’s already affected their experience, and your review score.

Adam, our Maintenance Manager, put it like this:

“We always aim to be proactive rather than reactive. To rely on guest feedback ultimately is allowing for at least one guest to have a bad experience.”

Regular inspections solve this by identifying issues before they reach guests.

For example, we recently discovered a broken window handle during a routine inspection. As Adam explains:

“The previous guests must have not reported this or not realised, but we were just coming into a heatwave. We were able to repair this just in time before the next guests arrived.”

Why We Use a Structured Checklist

Our inspections aren’t ad hoc. We use a detailed, room-by-room checklist that covers everything from decoration and functionality to wear-and-tear and outdoor condition. Here’s how Adam describes it:

“We have a methodical routine of checking homes from top to bottom, covering all bases. We draw on the wealth of experience we have in knowing what to look out for, and by having an extensive checklist we don’t miss a thing.”

It’s this level of detail that separates a well-maintained, five-star property from one that starts slipping. Even things that seem minor - a tired wall, a shower seal starting to crack. They all have an impact.

“Sealant around baths and showers deteriorates over time. If not renewed, it can lead to leaks which in turn can cause costly damage. These are the small jobs it's important to stay on top of.”

— Adam, Maintenance Manager

What We Actually Check

We carry out inspections across every part of the property, including:

• External areas: lockboxes, outdoor furniture, gates, gutters, grass and plants, exterior paintwork
• Living spaces: flooring, walls, lighting, furniture, soft furnishings, decor condition
• Kitchens: appliances, cupboards, worktops, water pressure, cleanliness
• Bathrooms: sealant, fixtures, extractor fans, lighting
• Bedrooms: mattress and bed condition, pillows, curtains, furniture
• Staircases and landings: handrails, lighting, wall marks
• General condition: scuffs, paintwork, signs of wear, signs of damp or leaks

This is all recorded in our system. along with any actions taken. Some owners prefer us to action all work based on our experience, some prefer to be contacted if the work will cost above a certain amount, and others like to always be in the loop. We understand everyone has their own preferences for their home so we're more than happy to be flexible.

How Often Should You Do This?

We recommend at least two full inspections per year - ideally more.

The best time to do them is:

• Before peak season (to set you up for success before you have more back to back bookings reducing the chance to complete work)
• After peak season (to review wear and tear from heavy guest use)

Depending on the home and guest volume, some properties may benefit from quarterly checks. Either way, it’s always better to get ahead of problems than wait for a negative review.

Designed to Help — Whether You’re a DIY Host or Looking for Support

If you’re managing your own holiday let, we hope this gives you useful ideas to apply. We’re happy to share this to help more homes stay guest-ready.

But if reading this has made you think, “That’s a lot of work” - you’re right. And it’s one of the reasons many DIY hosts eventually choose to work with us. In fact, we typically find that owners who switch to Red Kite Hosts earn more money even after fees, thanks to higher occupancy, better reviews, and stronger nightly rates.

Final Word: Talk to Us About How We Can Help

We manage over 100 homes across the Cotswolds and surrounding areas. From full setup to inspections, maintenance, pricing, guest messaging and cleaning - we handle it all.

If you want to protect your property, impress your guests, and avoid the stress of day-to-day management, we’re here to help.

👉 Chat to us about inspections — and everything else we offer

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