Getting Your Property Ready

The 1-minute overview

You prepare the home.
We handle the short-term rental.

Going live is about more than putting your property online. Here is the whole arrangement at a glance — the detail follows below.

01

Before handover

Your responsibility

Complete outstanding repairs and maintenance
Fully furnish and equip the property for the maximum number of guests
Remove or securely store personal belongings
Ensure appliances, lighting, air conditioning, hot water and Wi-Fi are working
Provide reliable property and building access
Ensure required safety items and compliance requirements are in place
Provide us with property, access, parking and building information
Have the property clean, presented and ready for final setup and photography

02

Once it’s ready

What we do

Listing & launchListing setup and optimisation, photography coordination and launch preparation.
Pricing & reservationsPricing strategy, availability, calendar and booking management.
Guest experienceGuest communication, check-in/out instructions, support and reviews.
Property operationsCleaning, turnovers, linen, agreed consumables and presentation.
Maintenance coordinationIdentifying issues and coordinating approved repairs and trades.

03

Your ongoing responsibilities

The property stays yours

Short-term rental insurance
Utilities & internet
Council / body corporate compliance
Property expenses
Repairs & maintenance costs
Replacement of damaged or worn furniture and appliances
Approval of significant expenditure
Advising us of owner stays or property works

The simple rule: you provide a complete, safe and functional home. We turn it into a professionally managed guest experience.

The rest of this guide walks through everything room by room.

Start with the foundations

Before your first guest, the property should be:

The strongest properties get the essentials right first — then add the little details that make a stay feel special.

Functional Everything works as it should.

Comfortable Guests have what they need for a relaxing stay.

Presentable The property feels clean, considered and inviting.

Photo ready The home looks its best when presented online.

Guest ready The important details are considered before the first arrival.

Before investing in styling and decorative pieces, we recommend preparing the property in this order:

01

Repair

Address anything broken, damaged, unreliable or visibly worn.

02

Furnish

Make sure every room is appropriately furnished for the property’s maximum advertised occupancy.

03

Equip

Provide the practical items guests need to sleep, cook, relax and live comfortably.

04

Style

Add warmth and personality while keeping the property uncluttered and easy to maintain.

05

Check

Test the property as though you were arriving as a guest for the first time.

06

Launch

Once everything is ready, we move forward with photography, listing setup and the final go-live process.

5 Star Hosts tip

Prioritise what guests experience every day — a comfortable bed, reliable Wi-Fi, functional appliances, good lighting, adequate storage and a well-equipped kitchen — before investing heavily in decorative extras.

What we provide

You don’t need to shop for everything.

As part of our management setup, 5 Star Hosts / Relax! We Clean supplies a number of the recurring guest essentials.

Our standard supplies include

Commercially laundered bed linen, sheets and pillowcases
Bath towels
Tea towels
Bath mats
Bathroom amenities
Kitchen and laundry consumables
Coffee pods
Tea
Sugar
Salt & pepper
Milk
Dishwasher / laundry products
Bin liners
Toilet paper
Sponges

Before you buy

Please check with our team before purchasing duplicate consumables or guest supplies. Our current Property Essentials List confirms these items as part of the standard supply arrangement.

Room by room

What each space needs.

Work through each area with the checklists below. Quantities and standards follow the existing 5 Star Hosts Property Essentials List.

Living and dining area at Mantra 2201 — Mantra 2201 · living and dining as guests receive it

Living & dining

Comfortable enough to feel like home.

Guests should be able to relax, eat, connect and enjoy the space without feeling that anything is missing.

Living

Comfortable sofa
Coffee table
TV
Adequate seating for maximum occupancy
Appropriate lighting
Rug, cushions and throw

Dining

Dining table
Enough dining chairs for maximum occupancy
Appropriate lighting

Technology

TV working
Working remote with batteries
Wi-Fi
Streaming capability, if advertised

Outdoor

If the outdoor area is advertised as usable by guests, appropriate outdoor furniture should be provided

Kitchen

A kitchen guests can actually use.

A beautiful kitchen is great. A kitchen that allows guests to comfortably prepare a meal is even better.

Appliances

Fridge and freezer
Oven and stove
Microwave
Kettle
Toaster
Capsule coffee machine — Nespresso-compatible
Dishwasher — strongly recommended

Cookware

Sharp knife set
Large and small pot
Large and small pans
Oven tray
Mixing bowls
Chopping board
Colander
Dish rack

Utensils

Tongs
Spatula
Serving spoons
Cheese grater
Vegetable peeler
Can opener
Bottle opener / corkscrew
Cutlery sorting tray
Heat mat
Oven mitt

Dinnerware & glassware

Provide sufficient quantities for the property’s maximum advertised occupancy.

Dinner plates
Side plates
Bowls
Cutlery
Water glasses
Wine glasses
Coffee mugs
Serving pieces
Placemats, where appropriate

Once the property is handed over, we coordinate the ongoing replenishment of agreed guest consumables and monitor the property through our normal operational processes.

Prepared bedroom at Mantra 2201 — Mantra 2201 · dressed with commercial linen we supply

Bedrooms

A good night’s sleep starts here.

The bedroom should feel calm, comfortable and uncluttered, with everything a guest needs within easy reach.

Sleeping

Quality mattress
Mattress protector
Quilt / doona with protector
Two pillows per person
Quality bed linen We supply

Beside the bed

Two bedside tables
Two bedside lamps
Accessible power points
Charging access, where appropriate

Storage

Six wooden coat hangers per maximum guest
Wardrobe empty for guest use
Adequate storage for guest belongings
Luggage space, where practical

Privacy & comfort

Blockout blinds or curtains
Window coverings functioning correctly
Heating / cooling appropriate for the room

Finishing touches

Artwork or tasteful décor
Decorative cushions, where appropriate
No unnecessary personal belongings
No heavily worn or damaged items

Guest-ready welcome details at Mantra 1205 — Mantra 1205 · amenities supplied as part of the standard setup

Bathrooms

Clean. Functional. Comfortable.

Bathrooms should feel fresh, uncluttered and exceptionally clean, with the practical essentials guests expect.

Essentials

Hairdryer
Toilet brush
Plunger
Rubbish bin
Towels We supply
Bath mat We supply
Empty vanity cupboards and drawers
Adequate towel hooks and rails

Amenities We supply

Shampoo
Conditioner
Body wash
Soap
Toilet paper

Final check

Shower drains correctly
Taps are leak-free
Hot water is working
Lighting is working
Exhaust fan / ventilation is working
No mould or mildew
Shower screen or curtain is clean

Bathroom amenities are supplied as part of the standard guest setup.

Bright guest-ready interior at Mantra 1205 — Mantra 1205 · practical spaces, ready for longer stays

Laundry

Ready for longer stays.

Where laundry facilities are provided:

Equipment

Washing machine
Dryer, where applicable
Iron
Ironing board
Clothes airer

Cleaning equipment

Vacuum cleaner
Broom, dustpan and brush
Bucket and mop
Empty storage cupboards

For properties intended to accommodate longer stays, a functional washing machine and adequate laundry facilities can significantly improve the guest experience. The existing property standard includes the core laundry equipment above.

Pool area at Mantra 2201 — Mantra 2201 · outdoor amenity, clean and ready to use

Outdoor areas

Extend the experience outside.

Outdoor areas can be one of a property’s strongest features — particularly when they are clean, comfortable and ready to use.

Outdoor check

Outdoor furniture clean and in good condition
Adequate seating
Outdoor dining, where appropriate
BBQ clean and functional, if provided
BBQ utensils available, where applicable
Outdoor lighting working
Pool or spa clean and operational, if applicable
Garden and landscaping maintained
Outdoor bins accessible
No obvious safety hazards

5 Star Hosts tip

If an outdoor feature is advertised as an amenity, guests should be able to use it comfortably and safely when they arrive.

Safety, access & connectivity

The things guests should never have to worry about.

Some parts of property preparation aren’t about styling — they’re about ensuring the property is safe, accessible and functional. These requirements are reflected in the existing 5 Star Hosts Property Essentials List.

Safety

Compliant, in-date smoke alarms
Fire extinguisher
Fire blanket
First aid kit
Stairs, balconies and handrails checked
Any property-specific safety requirements addressed

Access

Three sets of keys / access fobs
Main entrance access confirmed
Building access confirmed
Parking arrangements confirmed, if advertised
Garage and remotes provided, where applicable
Backup access method, where appropriate

Connectivity

Reliable Wi-Fi
Unlimited plan strongly recommended
Wi-Fi network and password confirmed
TV tested
Heating / cooling available as appropriate

Building & property information

Body corporate by-laws reviewed
Short-stay rules confirmed, where applicable
Bin collection arrangements confirmed
Building-specific requirements provided to the management team

The 5-star details

It’s the little things.

Once the essentials are covered, think about the experience from a guest’s perspective.

Arrive

Can I find the property easily? Can I access it without confusion?

Settle in

Is there somewhere to put my luggage? Can I find the Wi-Fi? Can I charge my phone?

Live

Can I cook a proper meal? Are there enough glasses, plates and utensils? Is there somewhere to hang my towel?

Relax

Is the bed comfortable? Is the lighting pleasant? Does the space feel welcoming?

Little extras to consider

Depending on the property, some optional amenities can add convenience or appeal. These are best viewed as optional enhancements rather than universal requirements.

Suitcase / luggage rack
USB charging or power adapter
Bathroom nightlight
Umbrella
Bottled water
Safe
TV streaming subscription
Additional small appliances

The 5-star test

If you arrived after a long day of travelling, would you be happy to stay here for a week? If the answer is yes, you’re on the right track.

Declutter before you style

Make space for the guest.

A short-term rental should feel like a welcoming home — not someone’s storage space. Before launch, we recommend removing:

Personal paperwork
Valuables
Excess clothing
Personal toiletries
Unnecessary kitchen items
Excess decorative pieces
Damaged or heavily worn items
Anything guests are not intended to use

Keep

The things that make the property feel comfortable, useful and welcoming.

Remove

The things that make guests wonder, “Is this supposed to be here?”

Ready for its close-up?

Your listing starts with the property.

Great photography helps guests understand what makes your property special. Before photography:

All repairs and maintenance completed
Property professionally cleaned
Furniture in its final position
Styling complete
Personal belongings removed
Clutter removed
Beds dressed
Kitchen fully equipped
Bathrooms fully prepared
Outdoor areas clean and styled
All appliances tested
Lighting checked
Windows and mirrors clean
Guest essentials ready

Already have photos?

If the property has been previously listed, original high-resolution photographs may be suitable for reuse. Please avoid screenshots or compressed images downloaded from previous listings, as these can appear poor quality across booking platforms. Where suitable high-resolution images are not available, we can assist with arranging professional photography before go-live.

Ready for handover?

Your final priority checklist.

Ten things to have in place before we complete the final setup and take the property live.

01

Keys & access ready

Three sets of keys or fobs, plus building, garage and parking access confirmed.

02

Beds & furniture completely set up

Every room furnished for the maximum advertised occupancy.

03

Kitchen equipped

Appliances, cookware, utensils, dinnerware and glassware in place.

04

Wi-Fi working

Active account, with the network name and password confirmed to us.

05

Appliances, air conditioning & hot water working

Everything tested as though you were the first guest.

06

Safety items ready

Smoke alarms compliant and in date, fire extinguisher, fire blanket and first aid kit in place.

07

Personal belongings removed or secured

The property decluttered and ready to feel like the guest’s space.

08

Property information sent to us

Access, parking, building rules, appliance quirks and anything only you know.

09

Existing maintenance issues disclosed

Anything outstanding flagged before guests can discover it.

10

Property cleaned and physically ready

Presented and ready for our final setup and photography.

What we take care of

You prepare.
We take over.

Once the property is handed over, 5 Star Hosts manages:

Listing

Review, optimise and ensure advertised amenities match the property.

Pricing & revenue

Pricing, availability and revenue strategy.

Reservations

Calendar and booking management.

Guest experience

Guest communication, check-in/out instructions and support.

Property operations

Cleaning, turnovers, linen, agreed consumables and presentation.

Maintenance

Identify issues and coordinate repairs and trades, subject to the agreed approval process.

Reviews

Guest reviews and Airbnb operational matters.

Launch

Complete the final operational setup and confirm when the property is ready for guests.

Please note

Where we organise cleaning, linen, maintenance, replacement items, trades or supplies, this does not necessarily mean those third-party costs are included in the management fee. Any applicable charges remain as agreed in our management/service agreement.

Your property remains yours

Your ongoing responsibilities.

Even after handover, some things remain with the owner. We’ll keep you informed when something requires your attention or approval.

Short-term rental (STR) insurance
Utilities & internet
Council / body corporate / building compliance
Property expenses
Repairs & maintenance costs
Replacement of worn or damaged furniture and appliances
Approval of significant expenditure
Advising us of owner stays or property works

Getting your property ready.

You prepare the home.We handle the short-term rental.