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Checkout Instructions

Setting up checkout instructions and how they reach your guests

Overview

  • Checkout instructions let you tell guests what to do before they leave — and Fairly sends them automatically, so you don't have to message each guest yourself.

  • Instructions are set per home on the Listing, alongside your check-in method.

  • Guests receive the instructions as an automated message before check-out.

Where to set up checkout instructions

Check-in and checkout content live in two separate sections on the Listing, so it's clear what belongs where.

To set your check-out instructions:

  1. Go to Listings → Access and policies.

  2. Open the Checkout instructions section.

  3. Choose from the preset check-out tasks:

    • Start a load of laundry

    • Start the dishwasher

    • Lock all doors and windows

    • Return the keys

    • None

  4. Select None if guests don't need to do anything before they leave.

  5. Optionally, add anything not covered by the presets in the free-form field.

  6. Review the live preview to see exactly what the guest will receive.

How guests are informed

  • Fairly sends the checkout instructions automatically, on the caretaker's behalf, as a message before check out.

  • Send timing depends on the length of stay:

    • 2 or more nights: sent at 4:00pm the day before check-out.

    • 1 night: sent at 9:00pm the day before checkout (which is also check-in day).

  • If you select None, the guest still gets a message with the check-out time and a note that nothing else is needed.

  • If nothing is selected at all (no tasks and no free-form text), no message is sent.

Note: Check-out instructions are not shown on Airbnb or Vrbo.

Best practices

  • Keep it minimal. Asking guests to do too much on their way out can sour an otherwise great stay. A short list — or none at all — is usually the better call.

  • Use "None" instead of leaving it blank. Selecting None still sends a friendly checkout time reminder, so it's a great way to proactively inform guests even when there are no tasks. Leaving everything blank sends nothing.

  • Only add what matters. Use the free-form field for genuinely home-specific needs (e.g., "Please turn off the hot tub"), not general tidiness requests.

  • Check the preview. Confirm the message reads clearly before saving.

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