Free template · updated November 3, 2026

Checkout reminder message template for Airbnb hosts

Send the checkout reminder the evening before guests leave. It should give the checkout time, the few small things you'd like done and how to return the key, and nothing that reads like a cleaning list.

From 20 November 2026, Airbnb's house rules policy says guests shouldn't be asked to do a cleaner's job, like washing dishes, stripping beds or vacuuming. This template sticks to the allowed asks: used dishes in the sink, towels gathered, trash sorted into the indoor bins, lights and heat off, windows closed, door locked and keys returned.

The template

Replace anything in [brackets] with your own details.

Short version

Hi [Guest first name],

Just a reminder that checkout is tomorrow by [Checkout time]. Before you go, please:

Put used dishes in the sink
Gather used towels in [Towel spot, e.g. the bathtub]
Turn off the lights and the [Heat or air conditioning]
Lock the door behind you

Thanks so much for staying with us. Safe travels!

[Host first name]

Detailed version

Hi [Guest first name],

I hope you've had a great stay! Checkout is tomorrow, [Checkout date], by [Checkout time].

Before you leave, please:

Put any used dishes in the sink
Gather used towels in [Towel spot]
Sort trash and recycling into the indoor bins: [Bin location]
Turn off the lights and the [Heat or air conditioning]
Close the windows
Lock the door: [How to lock, e.g. press the lock button on the keypad]
Return the key: [Key return spot, e.g. back in the lockbox]

That's it; our cleaners take care of the rest. If you'd like a little more time in the morning, message me tonight and I'll see what I can do.

Thanks for being great guests!

[Host first name]

Tips

Send it the evening before checkout, not the morning of.
Keep to the allowed asks; washing dishes, stripping beds, laundry, vacuuming and taking trash outside are your cleaner's job.
Say exactly where towels go and how the door locks, so guests aren't guessing on the way out.
In freezing weather, ask guests to turn the heat down rather than off, so pipes don't freeze.
If a guest asks for a late checkout, check your calendar before promising anything.

Put it on one guest page instead of a binder

Keegix turns your welcome book into one link and a QR sign by the door. Upload the binder you already have and AI drafts the page in about a minute, or paste this template in. Free forever for one property.

Upload my binder, free See a sample guest page

Questions

What can I ask Airbnb guests to do at checkout?

Under Airbnb's house rules policy from 20 November 2026, you can ask guests to put used dishes in the sink, gather used towels, sort trash and recycling into the indoor bins, turn off lights and heat or air conditioning, close windows, lock up and return keys.

Can I ask guests to strip the beds or start the dishwasher?

No. Those count as cleaning chores under Airbnb's policy. Leave them to your cleaner and keep the checkout list short.

When should I send a checkout reminder?

The evening before checkout, around 6 to 8 p.m., works for most guests. It gives them time to plan the morning and ask about a late checkout.

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Free to use

Copy it, change it, print it, use it with any platform. Sharing it with a host group, on a blog or in a forum? A link back to this page helps other hosts find the latest version:

https://keegix.com/guest-messages/checkout-reminder/