Checklist: Preparing Your Apartment Before Listing It as a Holiday Rental

Before listing your apartment as a holiday rental on the French Riviera, a few hours of preparation can make all the difference: a well-thought-out home rents for more, more often, and earns better reviews. Here is a complete, practical checklist to optimise your property before the first booking.

1. The essentials: a functional, fault-free home

First and foremost, the property must be flawless on the fundamentals. Check:

• quality bedding (comfortable mattress, plenty of pillows, clean linen);
• a genuinely equipped kitchen (hob, oven or microwave, fridge, crockery, utensils, coffee maker, kettle);
• a functional bathroom with reliable hot water and good pressure;
• fast, stable Wi-Fi — non-negotiable today;
• heating and, on the Riviera, air conditioning or fans (highly sought-after in summer).

A single failing on any of these points can sink your reviews. Fix them first.

2. The comfort touches that make the difference

Details are what turn a decent stay into a memorable one (and into 5 stars):

• wellbeing equipment: hairdryer, iron and ironing board, drying rack;
• what it takes to actually cook: basic spices, oil, salt, coffee filters;
• ample storage and hangers;
• USB sockets and convenient power strips;
• appreciated extras: pod coffee machine, speaker, board games, local guides.

Light, plants, natural textures: what guests remember. Photo: Danilo Rios — Unsplash.

3. Styling: aim for the photo that sells

On booking platforms, people book with their eyes first. Considered styling translates directly into bookings:

• favour a bright, neutral, warm atmosphere ("less is more" works);
• declutter: remove personal items and anything superfluous;
• add a few "Côte d'Azur" touches (natural textures, light, a local artwork);
• polish the photographed spots: headboard, sitting area, a laid table, any view.

Light home staging and a few smart purchases are often enough to move upmarket.

4. Professional photos: your best investment

This is the item not to skimp on: professional photos shot in natural light measurably increase click-through rates and the price you can charge. Declutter, open the curtains, switch on the lamps, and commission a specialist photographer (often included by concierge services — at Be My Guest, professional photos come free).

5. Safety and compliance

Essential for renting serenely and legally:

• a working smoke detector;
• a fire extinguisher and, where relevant, a carbon monoxide detector;
• a first-aid kit, emergency instructions, useful phone numbers;
• a reliable lock and a key-handover solution (key box or smart lock);
• insurance suited to short-term rentals.

On the regulatory side in Nice: plan for the registration number to display on your listings and the collection of the tourist tax (rules evolve — check the current position). To dig deeper, see our guide to choosing a concierge service in Nice.

6. The welcome kit and house guide

These are the final details that earn great reviews:

• welcome kit: toilet paper, shower gel, soap, coffee, dishwasher and laundry tablets;
• a house guide (digital or printed): how appliances work, house rules, Wi-Fi, neighbourhood tips, transport, contacts;
• a welcome gesture (a note, a small local treat) leaves a lasting impression.

In short

A well-prepared apartment means: flawless fundamentals, considered comfort, photo-ready styling, professional shots, compliance sorted and a thoughtful welcome. This preparation and presentation work is exactly what a concierge service takes off your hands to maximise your income.

Want to rent out your property without dealing with any of this? Entrust it to Be My Guest — we handle preparation, photos, listings and full management. And to compare approaches, read Long-term or short-term rental: which should you choose?.

Official sources

To check the latest position:

• Métropole Nice Côte d'Azur — letting a furnished tourist rental (registration number, procedures)
• Métropole NCA tourist tax portal (host declaration)
• Service-public.fr — letting a furnished tourist rental (national rules)