Guests don’t book short-term rentals anymore just to “have a place to stay.” They book them because they expect a complete, comfortable, well-run home.
In today’s market, missing even small essentials can lead to:
- Lower review scores
- “The place was missing basic items” feedback
- Fewer repeat guests
- Downward pressure on nightly rates
This guide walks through everything modern guests expect, from physical essentials to smart devices that are quickly becoming standard in professionally managed rentals.
Why Essentials Matter More Than Ever
Short-term rental guests are experienced. Most have stayed in dozens of properties and unconsciously compare your place to the best one they’ve had.
When essentials are missing, guests don’t think:
“This host forgot.”
They think:
“This place isn’t well managed.”
Providing the right essentials:
- Reduces guest messages and complaints
- Improves perceived cleanliness and professionalism
- Prevents avoidable negative reviews
- Supports higher nightly rates
Most guest complaints and negative reviews don’t come from major problems — they come from missing “obvious” things. In this guide, we walk through every essential item a modern short-term rental is expected to have today, from bedroom and kitchen basics to safety requirements and smart-home essentials like door locks, thermostats, water protection, and hubs. These aren’t luxury upgrades — they’re the baseline guests now assume will be there. Unlock the full article to see the complete breakdown, along with a one-page, printable essentials checklist you can download and use to audit your own property.
Bedroom Essentials: Sleep Is Non-Negotiable
Bedrooms set the tone for the entire stay. Poor sleep almost always results in a worse overall review.
Guests expect:
- Queen-size (or larger) beds in primary bedrooms
- Two pillows per guest
- Mattress and pillow protectors
- Window coverings for privacy and darkness
- Storage for clothing
- Reading lights and charging access
If guests can’t sleep well, everything else feels wrong — even if the house looks great.
Bathroom Essentials: Practical, Not Fancy
Bathrooms don’t need to be luxurious — they need to be fully functional.
Guests expect:
- Clean, washable shower curtain liners
- Hair dryers
- Soap dispensers
- A plunger and toilet brush (even if they never mention it)
When these are missing, guests notice immediately.
Kitchen Essentials: One of the Top Booking Drivers
Many guests choose a vacation rental specifically so they can cook.
At a minimum, guests expect:
- Refrigerator and freezer
- Oven and stovetop
- Microwave and dishwasher
- Coffee maker with auto shut-off
- Dishes, flatware, and glassware
- Cookware and basic utensils
- Pantry starters like salt, pepper, oil, and coffee filters
A kitchen that looks good but can’t actually be used is one of the fastest ways to earn a bad review.
Living Room Essentials: Shared Comfort
Living spaces should comfortably support the number of guests your listing advertises.
Guests expect:
- Adequate seating
- A properly sized TV with basic service or streaming
- Simple entertainment (cards or games)
This is where families gather — sparse or uncomfortable living rooms feel unfinished.
Safety Essentials: Required and Expected
Safety items are both a legal requirement in many areas and a guest expectation.
Every short-term rental should include:
- Smoke alarms
- Carbon monoxide detectors
- Fire extinguisher
- Emergency information signage
Safety gaps create liability and guest anxiety.
Smart Home Devices That Are Now Essential
Modern guests may not ask for smart devices — but they expect the benefits.
Smart Door Lock (Essential)
Guests expect keyless entry and smooth check-in. Smart locks:
- Eliminate lost keys
- Remove lockbox confusion
- Automatically remove access after checkout
The lock is often the first interaction a guest has with your property.
Smart Thermostat (Essential)
Temperature complaints are one of the most common guest issues.
Smart thermostats:
- Ensure the home is comfortable on arrival
- Reduce energy waste
- Prevent extreme temperature settings
Guests expect comfort without fiddling.
Smart Water Shutoff Valve (Essential for Protection)
Guests may never see it — but it protects your entire investment.
Water damage is expensive, disruptive, and often preventable. Smart water valves:
- Detect leaks
- Alert you immediately
- Protect your property against damage
For professional operators, this is quickly becoming a baseline requirement.
Optional Smart Devices That Elevate Your Property
These aren’t mandatory — but they significantly improve operations and guest experience.
- Smart light switches & plugs for arrivals, safety, and energy savings
- Door and temperature sensors for awareness and alerts
- Smart smoke & CO detectors for faster response and fewer false alarms
Used responsibly, these devices improve reliability without impacting guest privacy.
Physical + Smart Essentials = A Professional Rental
The most successful operators think in two layers:
- Physical Essentials — comfort, functionality, safety
- Operational Essentials — access control, climate, protection
Together, they create a stay that feels:
- Smooth
- Predictable
- Modern
- Professionally managed
Download Your One-Page Short-Term Rental Essentials Checklist
Below you can access the Short-Term Rental Essentials Checklist — a one-page, printable PDF designed to help you quickly verify that your property meets modern guest expectations. This checklist includes every core item covered in this guide, from bedroom, bathroom, kitchen, and safety essentials to smart home requirements like door locks, thermostats, water protection, and a compatible smart hub.
Use this checklist to audit an existing property, set up a new short-term rental, or confirm nothing has gone missing during seasonal resets. Many hosts use it during their annual pre-season resets to ensure everything is available and set for the upcoming guest stays.
Your essentials are ready — now make sure your home is too.
Automation helps ensure access, comfort, and protection are activated automatically for every guest stay, without relying on memory or manual steps.
