An Airbnb inventory checklist records what belongs in the property, how many usable items should be available and who puts shortages right. For a London flat with frequent turnovers, it gives the owner, cleaner and manager one reference instead of several different ideas of what “ready” means.
Start with the property’s advertised guest capacity and actual equipment. The template below is a working format to adapt, rather than a universal shopping list. For decisions about which features to offer, use our Airbnb amenities guide; this checklist helps you keep those promises between stays.
Separate the master inventory from the turnover check
Keep a master inventory with furniture, appliances, household equipment and guest supplies, organised by room. Give it a version date and update it when something is replaced or removed. A useful record identifies the item, its normal location, target quantity, observed quantity and condition.
The turnover check can be shorter. Ask the person preparing the flat to confirm the items needed for the next booking, note exceptions and assign follow-up. A full count of every teaspoon on every visit may be impractical; prioritise guest essentials and regularly reconcile the detailed master list. Set the frequency around how the property is used.
Use a repeatable record for each item
Copy these fields into your own document or spreadsheet:
- Room and item: use a recognisable description, such as “kitchen — matching white dinner plate”.
- Normal location: identify the cupboard or shelf so an item stored elsewhere is not mistaken for a loss.
- Target and observed quantity: count usable items, with damaged or quarantined stock recorded separately.
- Condition and check date: record a short, specific observation and link a photograph where useful.
- Action, owner and deadline: state what needs doing, who will do it and when it must be checked again.
- Close-out: confirm the replacement or repair is complete before treating the exception as resolved.
For appliances, keep model details and instructions with the master record. Keep access codes and private owner information in an appropriately restricted system rather than putting them in a general inventory shared with suppliers.
A room-by-room Airbnb inventory checklist
Bedrooms
List each bed and mattress size, protectors, pillows, duvets, linen, bedside furniture, lamps, hangers and any advertised storage. Count the linen prepared for the booking separately from spare sets in the host cupboard. Check that spare stock is usable and available when needed, rather than including items still at the laundry.
Airbnb’s essential amenities guidance includes a pillow per guest and linen for each guest bed, alongside towels, soap and toilet paper. Use these basics as a starting point, then document the fuller standard you actually offer.
Bathrooms
Record guest towels, bath mats, soap, toilet paper, bins and any advertised hairdryer or toiletries. Distinguish reusable stock from consumables: “four usable bath towels” is a count, while “soap replenished for the incoming stay” is a preparation task. Set quantities for the guest count and stay length, and make any replenishment arrangement clear.
Kitchen and dining area
Count plates, bowls, glasses, mugs and cutlery against the number of guests you advertise. Add cookware, utensils, chopping boards and the equipment needed to use the kitchen as described. Include the kettle, toaster and other advertised appliances, with a separate note if something is damaged or out of service.
Record consumables you choose to supply, such as washing-up liquid, bin liners or tea. Avoid using “fully stocked” as a substitute for a defined list. A cleaner should be able to see what is expected without guessing the owner’s preferences.
Living space and work area
List seating, tables, lamps, remotes and the advertised television or workspace equipment. Confirm that controls are present and that guest-facing equipment can be used as described. Counting a remote does not establish that it works; give functional checks their own line.
Utility, entrance and host storage
Include the iron, ironing board, drying rack and other advertised laundry equipment. Record the number of guest key sets in a restricted access record, with responsibility for handover. Keep cleaning supplies and owner belongings separate from guest stock, with suitable storage for the items concerned.
Record relevant safety equipment in the master inventory, but maintain its inspection and servicing records separately. An inventory count alone does not establish that equipment is safe or that property requirements have been met.
Worked example: a missing kitchen item
Illustrative example: a flat advertised for four guests has a target of six matching mugs. During preparation, the cleaner finds four in the cupboard, one on the drying rack and one chipped. The usable count is five, rather than four or six.
The record might read: “Kitchen, white mugs; target six; usable five; one chipped and removed from guest use; replacement assigned to manager before next arrival; verified by cleaner.” This makes the next action clear without assuming a guest caused the damage.
Set a restocking trigger that fits storage and deliveries
For consumables, record the unit you count and a reorder point. A sealed pack, a bottle and a single roll are different units. Check what is available in the flat, what is already ordered and who can receive a delivery before buying more.
London flats may have limited storage, so agree where reserve stock belongs and who can access it. Use actual consumption and delivery lead times to set your buffer. There is no single correct number of spare sets or supply packs for every property. Coordinate this record with the cleaning and linen workflow.
Turn an exception into a verified handover
A shortage needs an owner and a deadline, especially before a same-day arrival. Decide who can authorise a replacement, who receives it and who confirms it is in place. For a broken appliance, use a repair handover rather than closing the inventory line when a contractor is merely booked.
Airbnb’s ground rules for home hosts require listing details to reflect the amenities available during the stay. If an advertised feature becomes unavailable, deal with the current reservation promptly and review future listing information; editing the inventory does not resolve the guest’s expectations.
When something is missing, first check other rooms, laundry movements and previous records. A discrepancy is a prompt to investigate, not proof of responsibility. Our property inspection case study explains how condition records fit into the wider operation.
Bring the inventory into everyday property management
Keep one current version, make exceptions easy to report and review repeated shortages with the people preparing the flat. An inventory is most useful when it leads to a complete, usable setup for the next guest.
StayinLondon coordinates housekeeping, guest communication and property operations through its London Airbnb management service. Request a property-specific assessment to discuss how your home could be managed.
Airbnb guidance checked on 18 October 2026. The inventory format and worked example are practical suggestions to adapt to your property.
