Updated: September 2026.
Cleaning is only one part of preparing a short-term rental for the next guest. At StayinLondon, post-stay and post-cleaning inspections are used to check the property's condition, identify maintenance issues and create a documented record between reservations.
This case study explains the 100+ point inspection process used across our managed London properties and why structured checks matter for owners.
Why cleaning alone is not enough
A property can look clean while still having a loose handle, damaged appliance, missing item, marked wall or maintenance problem. If these issues are discovered only after the next guest checks in, they become harder to resolve and harder to attribute to a particular stay.
Moving from manual checks to structured inspections
StayinLondon previously used manual checklists and periodic property visits. As the portfolio grew, a more consistent process was needed. The team introduced Breezeway to create standardised inspection templates, assign tasks and attach photographs to individual checks.
What does the 100-point inspection cover?
The exact checklist varies by property, but checks can cover bedrooms, bathrooms, kitchens, living areas, appliances, windows, doors, walls, floors, furniture, inventory, heating controls and guest-facing equipment.
The objective is not to create paperwork for its own sake. It is to identify anything that could affect the next stay or create an owner cost if left unresolved.
Photo documentation between stays
Inspection records include photographs and timestamps. This creates a clearer history of property condition and can help when investigating when damage or missing items occurred.
StayinLondon inspections typically generate extensive photo documentation; the original Breezeway case study reported an average of around 108 photographs per inspected property.
Turning inspection findings into maintenance tasks
Finding a fault is only useful if somebody is responsible for fixing it. Inspection issues can be converted into tasks and assigned for follow-up, helping the operations team track repairs before the next arrival.
Supporting cleaning quality
Post-cleaning inspections create a second layer of quality control. They can identify presentation issues, missing linen or supplies and areas that need additional attention before check-in.
For the wider turnover workflow, see our Airbnb cleaning and housekeeping guide.
Supporting damage documentation
When damage is reported, before-and-after records can provide useful evidence. Platform protection and claim procedures can change, so owners and managers should always follow the current process and deadlines shown by the relevant booking platform.
Airbnb's platform protection should also not be treated as a substitute for suitable short-term let insurance.
Operational efficiency
The original StayinLondon/Breezeway case study reported a 20% time saving per inspection after introducing the structured workflow. This is an operational result from our own portfolio rather than a guaranteed outcome for other operators.
Why inspections matter for premium London properties
Higher-value properties often contain more furniture, appliances and finishes that need monitoring. Frequent guest turnover also means small defects can quickly become guest-experience problems if they are not identified early.
Inspections as part of full-service management
Property inspections sit between housekeeping, maintenance and guest management. They are one reason full-service management involves more than responding to Airbnb messages.
See what full-service Airbnb management includes or explore StayinLondon's Airbnb management in London.
Owners who want a property-specific revenue and management assessment can request a free revenue estimate.
