Changeover Without Tears – An Owner’s Guide to Changeover Day

With the vacation rental season in full swing most owners, myself included, approach changeover day with a mixture of trepidation, anticipation and sometimes, confidence. Whatever we expect, there are times when we’re surprised, either by the pristine way in which the property has been left by the outgoing guests, or by an ungodly mess.

When I first started renting out, I allowed myself to get irritated at the small things that rental guests had (or had not) done. Finding the patio umbrella up when we had asked them to take it down; a life jacket left in a boat instead of being hung up on the appropriate hook; or perishable items left in the fridge, were just a few of the little things that could wind me up. And if there had been any damage, it had an impact way beyond the minor issue I would now see it to be. I’d have a rant, get upset and want to make an immediate charge on the damage deposit, for what I now see to be an emotional reaction, rather than taking the time to reason it out.

This is not to say I will condone blatant disregard of my checkout list, or obvious non-accidental damage beyond wear and tear, but my attitude has swung around in the last few years and my tolerance level has risen to a point where I no longer have any stress. It’s all to do with a quote I live by more and more these days:

“If you change the way you look at things, the things you look at will change”

Now, instead of arriving at the cottage wondering whether it will be in good shape or bad shape, I simply expect to arrive, do the changeover and create a welcoming environment for my next guests. If it takes an hour extra, well that’s just fine because another time it may be a much quicker turnaround.

I know there are owners out there who have a more rigid attitude and may not agree with my approach, but it works for me and for many other professional owners, so maybe there is something in a more flexible attitude to our guests varying standards. Let me know what you think.