Home Checklist & TIPS
Following is a list of must haves, recommended and nice to haves.
> #1 Essential MUST HAVE is WIFI <
Long gone are the days when a book and board game were holiday's life pleasures. Today, many people continue to work while on vacation, and use smart phones and laptops to instantly share vacation memories!
Internet access is also vital since mobile coverage is still poor in some locations in South Lake Tahoe.
Smaller, single level homes can usually get great wifi access in all rooms from one router. Larger/multi level homes may need additional equipment to make sure access is available in all major rooms.
Additionally, easy to type passwords are always appreciated.
DOWNLOAD THE INVENTORY REQUIREMENTS
HOME PROVISIONS
Items Provided by Tahoe Keys Resort
Bath towels
Hand towels
Wash Cloths
Bath mat
Dish towel
Bed linens - sheets, pillow cases
Replacement light bulbs (fee)
Starter supplies:
Facial Tissues
Trash can bags
Initial soap bar, conditioning shampoo in each bathroom
Toilet Paper
Dish soap
Dishwasher powder satchet (x2)
Paper towel
Sink sponge
Coffee Filter paper, Coffee
Laundry powder (single use)
KITCHEN AND DINING
Dinnerware, glassware and flatware should accommodate twice the occupancy of your property.
Ross Stores and K-Mart carry most kitchen essentials at great prices.
If you would like to try and match older dinnerware designs, the Goodwill (1069 Emerald Bay Rd, South Lake Tahoe) carries odds and ends.
Dinnerware
Dinner plates
Salad plates
Cereal/soup bowls
Coffee mugs
Glassware
Sturdy 8-12oz water glasses are a must have in a quantity that is double the maximum guest occupancy.
Wine glasses: There is now a trend towards providing stemless wine glasses and/or mason jars. These styles are proving to be more resilient to breakages while offering a fun vacation vibe!
Flatware
In addition to the standard place setting, it's great to provide additional forks.
(and no need to worry about being matchy matchy with your existing set :)
Ross Stores, Walmart and Kmart are great places to pick up extra place settings.
Outdoor Acrylics
A set of (dishwasher safe) plastic plates and cups is one of our most requested items by guests.
Especially for use for children; to use in microwaves and also outdoors.
Utensils that we require in the home are as listed:
Can opener, ladles, spatulas, plastic food storage containers, pasta strainer, pots, pans, decent knives, a pot large enough for pasta, saucepans, large and small fry pan, a bottle opener, whisk, pitcher, salad bowl, baking sheet, scissors, corkscrew, big cutting board.
Trash cans
Two large cans are now expected. one for general trash, one for recycling.
Seating
Please provide enough seating so the maximum allowed guests for your property can eat at the same time. This can include a mix of seating at kitchen benches/bar tops.
Table mats
If your dining table shows marks from hot or cold beverages, or scratches easily then please provide table mats. Table mats and coasters should be easily wipeable or machine washable. Our house keeping staff will leave them on the table(s) when preparing your home for guests. While we can't guarantee the guests will use them, our experience is that they do. Clear plastic table covers are less attractive, but very functional if cut to size and fixed in place.
Basic condiments
There is no need to provide the basic condiments, salt, pepper, oil etc.
However, experience has shown, that owners who set aside cabinet space for these essentials, guests will replace them and/or leave their leftover supplies.
For health reasons we are required to empty out all fridges after guests leave.
Appliances
Fridge (if no ice maker please provide ice cube trays)
Microwave (and some microwave safe plates, containers)
Coffee maker (old school, drip drip!)
Electric kettle
Toaster
Blender
Handmixer (optional)
MISCELLANEOUS EXTRAS
Step Ladder - Especially recommended if your home has high kitchen wall cabinets
Broom (indoor and outdoor)
Vacuum + replacement bags
Swiffer floor mop or similar
Dust pan and brush
Ironing board, Iron
Space heater
Floor or box fan
Living Room/Den
TV with basic cable as a minimum
Coffee table
Side tables
Table lamps
Reading lights
Coasters - Please provide coasters if your coffee/side tables are easily scratched or get rings from hot/cold beverages.
Open Fireplace/Woodstove: If you have an open fire place or wood stove please provide a screen, grate, set of fireplace tools and an ash bucket.
With many guests now bringing laptops, and tablets providing reading materials, board games, magazines are no longer necessary. In fact, the fewer extras and trinkets you leave in your home the cleaner your home presents.
BATHROOM
Provided by Tahoe Keys Resort:
Bath towels
Hand towels
Wash cloths
Bath mat
Initial soap, shampoo
Toilet paper
Trash can bag
Owner to provide - Must Haves
Small trash can (one per bathroom, toilet closet)
Non slip floor mats (easily machine washable - for both vanity & bath/shower)
Toilet brush (one for each toilet)
Plunger (one per home - place in the main guest toilet)
Owner to provide - Nice to Haves
Night light - a plug in night light is a very useful for guests who are unfamiliar with your home's layout. Spare replacement bulbs can be left in the vanity drawer.
Bathroom scale - not required but useful
Soap dish
Bathroom Tips:
Shower curtains: Machine washable shower curtains are recommended along with a machine washable or plastic liner. Plan on replacing a plastic liner yearly.
Curtain hooks - hooks that close up are best.
Light bulbs - While we provide replacement bulbs, 6,500K Daylight Bulbs make a huge difference in your bathrooms.
* Hairdryers - We don't recommend providing hairdryers. We have found over the years that they tend to 'disappear', as well as burning out when used to dry ski boots etc.
BEDROOM
Provided by Tahoe Keys Resort:
Bed linens; Sheets, Pillow Cases
Trash can bags
Owner to provide - Must Haves
At least one nightstand and lamp per bed. Ideally one on each side.
If a spare power point is not easily accessible to the night stand provide an extension cord/power board.
Comforter
Spare Blanket
Pillows: Queen size preferred! Our linen service does not supply king size pillow linens so we have to use two covers per pillow.
Mattress pad
Small trash can, one per bedroom.
Owner to provide - Nice to Have
TV - As more people use their phones, tablets and laptops for streaming movies and live TV, a TV in the bedroom is no longer considered an essential item. If you do provide a TV it needs to be hooked up to receive local channels or connected to cable service provider.
Coat hangers
Clock radio: Given that Lake Tahoe typically has at least a couple of power outages a year (even if just briefly) if you do provide a clock radio please set it to the correct time and replace the battery yearly.
Fan (if no AC)
- Full length mirror
- Reading chair
Bedroom Tips:
By far one of the most damaged items in a vacation home are blinds. Both pull up and vertical blinds are subject to wear and tear. The heavier the slats on pull up blinds the more likely they are to require maintenance. Sometimes we are able to re-string the blind, but often they need to be sent out to be fixed by the manufacturer or supplier.
Vertical blinds also get damaged, although the maintenance staff are usually able to fix these more easily.
If you are considering installing new or replacing existing window coverings, then we recommend panel curtains with large grommets. There are many panel curtains that have thermal backing and are made from blackout materials.
For smaller windows, cordless cellular shades are proving to be a very cost effective window covering - available from Home Depot.
OUTDOOR
BBQ
BBQ Cover + BBQ tool set
Outdoor chairs
Outdoor chair cushions
Spa
Spa Cover and Cover lift
Spa steps
Cigarette butt container
Outdoor lighting
Outdoor mat
Snow shovels
Providing a solid snow shovel for your guests is A MUST HAVE and vital for the safety of your guest.
The right shovel can also go a long way to limiting damage to your decks, timber stairs and railings.
The USA made Poly-Pro Tools Titan P6984R Scoop Shovel, 14"W X 18"L, 48"H, with Enlarged D-Grip handle is highly recommended!
This shovel is made from recycled plastic. Because it has no sharp metal edge, it can also be used to remove snow off hot tubs and bbq's.
This shovel can be bought online at walmart.com which also usually has the best price.
