Getting your Vineyard home rental-ready

Safety and paperwork first

• Working smoke and carbon monoxide detectors on every level and near bedrooms; fire extinguisher in the kitchen.
• State Certificate of Registration, posted in the house.
• $1,000,000 rental liability coverage, confirmed in writing.
• Your town’s registration and inspection, if it requires one.
• Clear emergency information: the address, the nearest hospital (Martha’s Vineyard Hospital in Oak Bluffs), and who to call for the house.
• Pool and hot tub safety: fencing, gates and posted rules.

Beds, linens and bathrooms

• Good mattresses and pillows. Reviews mention beds more than almost anything else.
• Two full sets of linens and towels per bed, plus beach towels.
• Blackout shades or curtains in bedrooms; summer sunrise is early.
• Hair dryer, extra toilet paper and basic toiletries to start the stay.

A kitchen people can cook in

• Enough plates, glasses and cutlery for the number the house sleeps, plus a few more.
• Sharp knives, good pans, a big pot for lobster or corn, a sheet pan, a colander.
• Coffee maker and kettle, blender, toaster, wine opener.
• Grill with full propane and tools, if you have one.

The island extras

• Beach chairs, an umbrella, a cooler and beach towels.
• An outdoor shower, if you can. Guests love them.
• Beach passes or parking stickers, where your town offers them to renters.
• Bikes and helmets, if you are comfortable lending them.

The house manual

Wi-Fi, door and lockbox instructions, how the heat and AC work, trash and recycling days, parking, quirks, and checkout requests. Our owners keep all of this current in their Owner Hub, and it goes straight to each guest’s Guest Hub before they arrive.

Photos that book

Professional photos on a bright day, every room, the view, and the details: the outdoor shower, the deck at sunset, the path to the beach. They are the single biggest thing you can do for bookings.