Send the check-out reminder the evening before, or on the morning of departure. Give the time, the three or four things you ask guests to do and where to leave the key. Say thank you. Keep it to five lines.
| Question | Short answer |
|---|---|
| When | The evening before, and a nudge on the morning if you like |
| How long | 3 to 5 lines |
| What must be in it | Check-out time, three or four things to do, where the key goes, a thank you |
12 messages you can copy
Twelve check-out messages. Use only the lines that are true for your place, and ask for as little as you can. Replace every [BRACKET] with a real fact.
Jump to: The evening beforeOn the morningWhen a guest asks for more timeAfter they have left
- Short reminderHello [GUEST FIRST NAME], a quick note for tomorrow. Check-out is by [TIME]. Please leave the key [WHERE]. Thank you for staying with us. [YOUR NAME]
- With a short listHello [GUEST FIRST NAME], check-out is by [TIME] tomorrow. Before you go: please close the windows, turn off [HEATING / LIGHTS / HOT TUB], put used towels in [WHERE] and lock the door. Leave the key [WHERE]. Safe journey home. [YOUR NAME]
- BinsHello [GUEST FIRST NAME], check-out is by [TIME]. Bin day is [DAY]. If you can, please put the [COLOUR] bin out on your way. If not, no problem. Thank you.
More examples, by situation
On the morning
- A friendly nudgeGood morning, [GUEST FIRST NAME]. A reminder that check-out is by [TIME] today. Thank you for looking after the house. Safe travels.
- Next guests arrive todayGood morning, [GUEST FIRST NAME]. Check-out is at [TIME] today because the next guests arrive at [TIME]. Thank you for helping us get the house ready.
- After check-out timeHello [GUEST FIRST NAME], I think you may still be at the house. Check-out was at [TIME]. Could you let me know when you are leaving? [ADD IF TRUE: THE CLEAN STARTS AT [TIME].]
- Very shortCheck-out by [TIME] today. Key in [WHERE]. Thank you.
When a guest asks for more time
- Late check-out, yesThanks for asking. Yes, you can stay until [TIME]. [ADD IF TRUE: THERE IS NO CHARGE.] Please leave the key [WHERE].
- Late check-out, noI am sorry, I cannot offer a later check-out on [DATE] because [REASON, FOR EXAMPLE, THE NEXT GUESTS ARRIVE AT TIME]. [ADD IF TRUE: YOU ARE WELCOME TO LEAVE BAGS IN [PLACE] UNTIL [TIME].] Thank you for understanding.
After they have left
- Thank youThank you for staying, [GUEST FIRST NAME]. I hope you had a good [TRIP / WEEK]. Safe travels home.
- Something left behindHello [GUEST FIRST NAME], we found [ITEM] after you left. I can post it if you send me an address. [WHO PAYS FOR POSTAGE, ONLY IF DECIDED.] Tell me what you would like.
- The key is missingHello [GUEST FIRST NAME], I cannot see the key in [WHERE]. Could you check your bags and pockets? If you took it by mistake, tell me how you would like to return it.
Download these examples
The same text as this page, in one file, with the gaps ready to fill in.
What to avoid
- A list of ten chores. Ask for three or four things.
- A reminder that sounds like a warning. Say thank you first.
- Charges or deductions the guest has not been told about. They belong in the listing before booking.
- Chasing a guest before check-out time has passed.
- Asking for a review in the same message. Send that separately.
Official pages. Rules differ by country. Not legal advice: check the rules that apply to you.
- Airbnb Resource Centre: Setting helpful house rules. The page is dated 9 March 2023, so it may have changed. It lists "Check-in and checkout times" among the standard house rules a host can choose. Read 5 October 2026.
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What the paid pack adds
The messages above are free. The pack holds the house rules and manual that say what you ask guests to do.
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 time should check-out be?
Choose a time that leaves you room to clean before the next guests arrive. Put it in the listing, the house rules and this reminder. Airbnb's resource page lists check-in and checkout times among the standard house rules a host can choose.
When should I send a check-out reminder?
The evening before is common, with a short nudge on the morning if you want one. This is common practice, not a rule.
What if a guest asks for a late check-out?
Answer quickly and say why if it is a no. If it is a yes, say until when and where to leave the key. The examples above cover both.
What should guests do before they leave?
Ask for three or four small things: close the windows, switch off heating or lights, put towels in one place and lock up with the key left where you say. A longer list tends to be ignored.
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.
Where should the check-out steps be written down?
In three places that match: the listing, the house manual and this message. If they differ, guests follow the one they read last.
More
Sources
- Setting helpful house rules, read 5 October 2026