Short-Term Rental Smoke Checklist for RiNo Turnovers

Arrival inspection

Do this before cleaning.

Enter and note the smell before opening windows.
Check balcony, entry and bathroom fan for ash or butts.
Look at curtains, throw pillows and upholstery for film or smell.
Check smoke detector covers and signs of tampering.
Photograph anything unusual with the date.

Turnover timeline

Right after checkout: Inspect, photograph and ventilate the space.
Same day: Launder washable fabrics and clean hard surfaces in reach.
Before the next guest: Re-check the smell with fresh senses, ideally after an hour away.
If the smell remains: Pause bookings if possible and plan for deeper work.

Building a consistent routine

Consistency beats intensity. A host who runs the same short inspection at every turnover will catch odor early, when a fix is simple, instead of discovering it in a bad review. Keep the checklist on a phone and complete it each time, even for stays with no reported problems.

Soft goods deserve special attention. Sofas, curtains and mattresses absorb odor, and a loft with an open layout lets the smell reach every one of them. Consider washable covers where possible, and note which items cannot be laundered easily.

If your routine finds smoke odor repeatedly, review the house rules you give guests and the building's smoking rules, and check how clearly they are presented.

Keep one folder per stay with photos and notes. If a dispute arises, records from the same day carry more weight than a description written weeks later.

Keep these notes together with your photos so that anyone reading them later can follow what you saw and when you saw it, without relying on memory alone.

Why documentation matters

A host who records condition before and after a stay has a clearer record for platform processes and building rules. Photos with dates, a short written note and the guest's booking details are generally enough to start. Keep them in one folder per booking.

Many RiNo buildings have rules about smoking in common areas and units, and short-term rental operation may be limited or regulated. Check the building's declaration and local rules; this page does not describe what is permitted at any address.

What to keep for each stay

Photos: Dated images of the unit on arrival and exit
Messages: Guest communications about the stay
Notes: What you smelled and where
Actions: What you cleaned and replaced

Common questions

How often should I inspect?

At each turnover, as a routine, even when the stay seemed uneventful.

General information for RiNo, not a quote or professional advice. In an emergency, call 911.