Airbnb Checkout Instructions: What to Ask, When to Send, and a Copy-Paste Template

Airbnb checkout instructions tell guests how to leave the property so the next arrival is smooth—and so you are not guessing whether the door is locked or the trash is out. Keep the list short. Guests read checkout on their last morning with half an eye on departure time.

This post covers what good Airbnb checkout instructions include, where guests find them on Airbnb (and when to send your own), a copy-paste Airbnb checkout instructions template, chores that backfire in reviews, late checkout requests, and why checkout time and house rules belong in the same guest guide link as check-in. For arrival steps, door codes, and parking, use the check-in post—not a second copy here.

What good Airbnb checkout instructions cover

Checkout is not a deep clean list. It is a leave-the-home-ready checklist: five to eight bullets guests can finish in ten minutes.

Cover these in plain language:

1. Checkout time — State the time from the reservation (e.g. “Check out by 11:00 AM”). Say whether a grace minute matters to you or if the cleaner is on a tight schedule.
2. Keys and lockbox — Return keys to the lockbox, leave fobs on the counter, or lock the smart lock behind them. One line: where things go.
3. Trash — Kitchen bag tied and in the outdoor bin, recycling sorted if you require it, or “leave trash inside if bins are locked—we handle it.”
4. Dishes — “Load and start the dishwasher” or “rinse and leave in the sink” is enough. Pick one level; do not ask for both unless you pay a cleaner for everything.
5. Linens — Strip used beds and leave sheets in a pile or laundry room. Towels in the tub or hamper. Say exactly where.
6. Thermostat and lights — Set heat or AC to your departure setting (give the number or “OFF / 68°F”). Lights off except porch or entry if you want.
7. Locking up — Front door locked, patio slider checked, garage down, gate latched. Multi-unit: mention elevator or lobby door if relevant.

If a step does not apply (no lockbox, city trash chute), delete the line. The checkout list you send guests should fit on one phone screen.

House rules about parties or pets belong in your house rules template, not repeated as checkout paragraphs.

Where Airbnb shows checkout instructions to guests

Guests look for checkout in three places. Use all of them with the same wording so nothing conflicts.

Listing editor. In the Listing editor, set the house rule Lock up at checkout and add your task list under Requests → Before checkout. Enter the short list you want every guest to see.

Reservation and trip details. Before and on departure day, guests can open their trip in the Airbnb app and scroll to checkout-related info you added to the listing.

Messages. Airbnb automatically reminds guests of your checkout time and checkout requests in their Trips tab, with a push notification at 5:00 PM local time the day before (if they have notifications on). You can also send your own reminder as a scheduled quick reply.

Your guide link. Show checkout time on the same digital page as WiFi and check-in; put the step-by-step checkout list in your house rules section. Guests who saved the link on day one do not hunt through old chat threads.

As a host, set checkout rules and requests in your Listing editor, then mirror that wording in your pre-arrival message and guest guide (checkout time plus house rules for the steps).

When to send checkout instructions

Timing	What to send
At booking or pre-arrival	One line in your welcome message: “Checkout is [time]; full list is in your guide: [link].”
24 hours before checkout	Short reminder with the top three tasks (time, keys, lock).
Morning of checkout	Optional nudge if you have same-day turnover: “Thanks for staying—checkout by 11, guide link has the lock steps.”

Do not wait until guests are in the car to mention checkout time. Put it in the guide early; remind once near the end.

Airbnb checkout instructions template (copy and edit)

Copy the block below into Requests → Before checkout in your Listing editor, a scheduled message, or your guest guide. Replace bracketed text. Remove lines that do not apply.

CHECKOUT — [PROPERTY NAME]
Please check out by [11:00 AM] on your departure day.

BEFORE YOU GO
• Keys: [Return to lockbox on front door / Leave on kitchen counter]
• Trash: [Bag in outdoor bin by garage / Tie and leave inside—no outdoor access]
• Dishes: [Load and start the dishwasher / Rinse and leave in sink]
• Linens: [Strip beds, leave sheets and used towels in [laundry room / hallway]]
• Thermostat: [Set to 68°F / Heat off, AC off]
• Lights: All off except [porch light if you use one]
• Doors: [Lock front door and patio slider / Pull door until it clicks]

Questions on checkout morning? Text [name] at [phone].

Full stay guide (check-in, WiFi, rules): [your guide link]

That is a practical Airbnb checkout instructions template—short enough for SMS if you add: “Checkout 11 AM—details: [link].”

Sample checkout message to guests

Hi [Guest name]—thanks for staying at [Property]. Checkout is [time] tomorrow.
Quick list: keys in the lockbox, dishwasher on, sheets in the laundry closet, thermostat at 68°, lock the front door.
Full steps: [guide link]. Safe travels!

Checkout chores to avoid (guests complain in reviews)

Hosts add tasks to “help the cleaner” and guests push back in private feedback and public reviews. Common pain points:

• Strip beds AND wash linens — Stripping is reasonable; running laundry for a full house is a lot on a travel morning.
• Mop, vacuum, or scrub bathrooms — That is turnover cleaning, not guest checkout.
• Take trash to a distant dump or pay-per-bag station — If disposal is unusual, say so before booking or handle it yourself.
• Long recycling rules — One line or “we sort after you leave.”
• Bleach the grill or oven — Note if the grill must be off and cool; do not ask for a full scrub unless your nightly rate reflects it.
• Move furniture back to a floor plan — Only if you told them at check-in.

When in doubt, ask for less. A locked door and keys returned beats a perfect kitchen for the next guest.

Late checkout requests

Guests often ask for an extra hour. Decide your policy once:

• Same-day turnover: Late checkout is usually a hard no unless the calendar is empty. Say: “Checkout is 11 AM so the home is ready for the next guest.”
• Gap night: You may offer a late checkout for free or a small fee—confirm in writing in the thread.
• Later time agreed: If you approve a late checkout, update the checkout time on that reservation (Today → select the reservation → Checkout → choose the new time).

Put your standard checkout time in the guide and listing so the ask is not a surprise.

Keep checkout in the same Guest Guide link as check-in

Check-in and checkout should not live in different PDFs, chat bubbles, and fridge printouts. One mobile guide link means guests scroll from door code to house rules (including checkout steps) without searching old messages.

With Guest Guide you publish one link per property: check-in at the top, checkout time on the guide, and checkout steps in house rules. Edit once when the lockbox moves; the URL stays the same.

1. Sign up.
2. Add your property, set checkout time, and paste check-in plus checkout steps into house rules from the templates on this page and the check-in post.
3. Share the link in pre-arrival chat and again before checkout if you like.

Solo is $49 once for one property; Pro is $99 once for unlimited guides (pricing).

FAQ

What should Airbnb checkout instructions include?
Checkout time, keys or lockbox, trash, dishes, linens, thermostat, lights, and how to lock up—usually five to eight bullets.

Is there a free Airbnb checkout instructions template?
Yes—the copy-paste block on this page is free to use in your listing, messages, or guest guide.

Where do guests find checkout instructions on Airbnb?
In their Trips tab (checkout time, house rules and requests), the automatic reminder the day before, and messages you send. A guide link is the easiest single place for guests to bookmark.

Should checkout match what is in my house manual?
Yes. One source of truth. Use the same list in Airbnb, your house manual, and your guide.

How is checkout different from check-in instructions?
Check-in is arrival: parking, door, WiFi. Checkout is departure: time, keys, light cleaning tasks. Both belong in one guide; see Airbnb check-in instructions for arrival templates.

Can I ask guests to start laundry?
Many hosts only ask to strip beds and leave linens in one spot. Full laundry is optional and should match guest expectations for your price and property type.

Related reading

• Airbnb check-in instructions — arrival templates and timing (not duplicated here)
• Airbnb message templates — checkout reminder messages in the full guest journey
• Digital guidebook examples — before/after checkout rewrites
• What to include in an Airbnb guest book — where checkout fits in the full stay

Create your guide with check-in, checkout time, and house rules → · See pricing