Send check-in instructions a day or two before arrival. Give the address, the time, how to get in, where to park and a phone number for problems. Put the steps in order, one line each. Follow them yourself first.
| Question | Short answer |
|---|---|
| When | A day or two before arrival |
| Order | Address, time, way in, parking, number for problems |
| What must be in it | A way in you have tested, and a phone number |
12 messages you can copy
Twelve check-in messages for different ways of getting in. Use only the steps that are true for your place. Replace every [BRACKET] with a real fact.
Jump to: Getting inFinding the placeOnce you are inIf something goes wrong
- Key safeHello [GUEST FIRST NAME], here are your check-in details for [DATES]. Address: [ADDRESS]. Check-in is from [TIME]. The key safe is [WHERE]. The code is [CODE]. [HOW THE BOX OPENS, IN ONE LINE.] If it does not open, ring me on [NUMBER]. [YOUR NAME]
- Smart lockYour door code is [CODE]. It works from [TIME] on [ARRIVAL DATE] until [TIME] on [DEPARTURE DATE]. Enter the code, then press [BUTTON]. If the lock shows [COMMON PROBLEM], [WHAT TO DO]. If it still does not open, ring [NUMBER].
- Meeting in personI will meet you at [PLACE] at [TIME]. I will show you round and give you the keys. If you are running late, message me so I know. My number is [NUMBER].
More examples, by situation
Finding the place
- DirectionsTo find us: [FIRST LANDMARK, FOR EXAMPLE, TURN LEFT AT THE POST BOX]. The house is [DESCRIPTION, FOR EXAMPLE, THE THIRD ON THE RIGHT WITH A BLUE DOOR]. Sat navs may take you to [WHERE THEY GO WRONG]. Please use [WHAT TO USE] instead.
- ParkingParking: [WHERE]. [NUMBER] cars fit. Please do not park [WHERE NOT]. If it is full, the nearest car park is [NAME, ONLY IF YOU CHECKED].
- By public transportFrom [STATION] it is [MINUTES] on foot, or take the [NUMBER] bus to [STOP]. [ADD IF TRUE: THE LAST BUS IS AT [TIME].]
- Arriving after darkIf you arrive after dark: [LIGHTING, FOR EXAMPLE, THE PATH LIGHT COMES ON BY ITSELF]. The hall light switch is [WHERE]. [ADD IF TRUE]
Once you are in
- The first thingsOnce you are in: the heating is [WHAT IT IS SET TO], the Wi-Fi name and password are [WHERE], and the guidebook is [WHERE]. The first thing to do is [ONE THING].
- Wi-Fi firstWi-Fi: [NAME]. Password: [PASSWORD]. The router is in [ROOM].
If something goes wrong
- The door will not openIf the door does not open, please do not force it. Ring me on [NUMBER]. If I do not answer within [MINUTES], ring [SECOND NUMBER]. [ADD IF TRUE: THERE IS A SPARE KEY AT [PLACE].]
- You will be lateThank you for letting me know. That is fine. [ADD IF TRUE: THE KEY SAFE WORKS AT ANY HOUR.] If you arrive after [TIME], please come in quietly because of [REASON, FOR EXAMPLE, THE NEIGHBOURS].
- Short versionCheck-in from [TIME]. Key safe [WHERE], code [CODE]. Parking [WHERE]. Problems: [NUMBER].
Download these examples
The same text as this page, in one file, with the gaps ready to fill in.
What to avoid
- Sending the door code too early or in a public listing. Send it close to the day, in a private message.
- Steps you have not tested. Follow your own message word for word on a day when no one is staying.
- Directions that only work if you already know the place. Use landmarks a stranger can see.
- A code that stays the same for every guest. Change it after each stay.
- Leaving out a phone number for problems.
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What the paid pack adds
The messages above are free. The pack holds the house manual that explains the rest of the house.
Host Ops Pack
How it works: You paste your own text (a review, rough rules or a listing). It writes from the real words and flags anything you should check. Works in ChatGPT, Claude or any chatbot. No install.
What you give it: Your own words: a guest review, your rough rules, your listing text.
What you get: Six skills. Guest Review Reply: a public reply that is true as it stands, optional sentences to add once a fix is real, a private to-do list, and a flag on any review that needs your judgement first. House Rules and Guidebook: the standard rule settings to choose, calm extra rules, and a house manual built only from what you wrote, with a list of what is missing. Also a listing rewriter, a listing audit, photo descriptions and a review pattern finder.
What is in the pack
- Guest Review Reply: the public reply, optional lines to add once a fix is real, a private to-do list
- House Rules and Guidebook: calm house rules and a house manual built from your own facts
- Listing Rewriter: three titles and a description for your listing
- Listing Audit: a score out of 100 with a fix list
- Photo Description Writer: captions for your photos
- Review Insights: the patterns across your reviews
One price, no subscription. Not made by or linked to any booking site.
What should I include in check-in instructions?
The address, the check-in time, how to get in, where to park and a number to ring if something goes wrong. Add the Wi-Fi and a pointer to the guidebook. Put the steps in order.
When should I send check-in instructions?
A day or two before arrival is common. Send them earlier if the way in is complicated. This is common practice, not a platform rule.
Should I send the door code on the booking page?
Send it close to the arrival date and in a private message. Do not put a code in a public listing or in a review reply.
How do I explain a key safe?
Say where the box is, give the code and say in one line how it opens. A photo of the box helps if you can add one.
Questions people ask
What do I do with the [BRACKETS]?
Replace each one with a real fact. If you cannot, delete the line. Never leave a bracket in what you send.
Is a check-in message the same as a house manual?
No. The check-in message gets them through the door. The manual explains the house once they are in. Link the manual from the message.