The New Orleans STR Property Handoff Checklist: What to Do Before Your First Guest Arrives

Launching a short-term rental in New Orleans is exciting — and overwhelming. There are permits to pull, furniture to buy, photos to take, listings to write, and a hundred small details that separate a guest-ready property from one that generates 3-star reviews on the first night.

This checklist is designed to walk you through every step, in order, so nothing falls through the cracks.

Before you spend a dollar on furniture or take a single photo, make sure you're legally permitted to operate.

City of New Orleans STR License

• Determine your property's zoning classification and eligible permit type (Owner-Occupied vs. Non-Owner-Occupied)
• Apply for a Short-Term Rental License through the City of New Orleans One Stop App
• Pay the applicable license fee
• Post your license number in your listing (required by city ordinance)
• Display your license number visibly inside the property

State Requirements

• Register for Louisiana sales tax (STR hosts are required to collect and remit state and local sales tax)
• Understand the Orleans Parish hotel occupancy tax obligations
• Consult a local accountant familiar with STR taxation if needed

Insurance

• Notify your homeowner's or landlord insurance carrier that you're operating an STR
• Obtain STR-specific coverage or a commercial rider — standard homeowner's policies typically exclude STR activity
• Review Airbnb's AirCover and VRBO's property protection — understand what they cover and what they don't

Guests have a legal right to a safe property. These items are non-negotiable.

• Install working smoke detectors in every bedroom and on every floor
• Install working carbon monoxide detectors (required if you have gas appliances)
• Place a fire extinguisher in the kitchen (ABC-rated, inspected within the last year)
• Install a first aid kit in an accessible location
• Ensure all door and window locks function properly
• Check that all exterior lighting works
• Verify that the electrical panel is labeled and accessible
• Confirm that the HVAC system is serviced and functioning — New Orleans summers are brutal
• Check for any active plumbing leaks or drainage issues
• Inspect the roof and gutters, especially before hurricane season (June–November)
• Post emergency contact numbers (fire, police, your contact) visibly in the property

New Orleans guests expect comfort and local character. Generic hotel-style furnishing works, but properties with personality earn better reviews and higher rates.

Bedroom (per bedroom)

• Quality mattress (this is the single most important purchase — don't cheap out)
• Mattress protector (waterproof)
• Pillows (2 per guest capacity, plus extras)
• Pillow protectors
• Fitted sheet, flat sheet, duvet/comforter (minimum 2 sets per bed for turnover)
• Extra blanket
• Bedside table with lamp
• Adequate closet space or clothing rack with hangers
• Full-length mirror
• Blackout curtains (essential in New Orleans — the sun rises early and guests sleep late)

Bathroom (per bathroom)

• Bath towels (2 per guest capacity, plus extras)
• Hand towels and washcloths
• Bath mat
• Toilet paper (minimum 4 rolls per bathroom at check-in)
• Hand soap
• Shampoo, conditioner, body wash
• Hair dryer
• Shower curtain and liner (if applicable)

Kitchen

• Dishes, bowls, glasses, mugs (service for full guest capacity + 2)
• Silverware (service for full guest capacity + 2)
• Pots and pans (at minimum: 1 large pot, 1 medium saucepan, 1 large skillet)
• Baking sheet
• Cutting board and knife set
• Can opener, bottle opener, corkscrew
• Cooking utensils (spatula, wooden spoon, ladle, tongs)
• Colander
• Coffee maker and filters (or pod machine with pods)
• Toaster or toaster oven
• Dish soap, sponge, dish towels
• Paper towels
• Trash bags (multiple sizes)
• Aluminum foil, plastic wrap, zip-lock bags

Living Areas

• Comfortable seating for full guest capacity
• Coffee table or side tables
• Smart TV with streaming apps (Netflix, Hulu, etc.)
• Good WiFi router — test speeds before launch (minimum 50 Mbps download)
• Adequate lighting (overhead + lamps)
• Ceiling fan or portable fan (essential in New Orleans)

Outdoor Space (if applicable)

• Seating for outdoor entertaining
• Outdoor lighting
• Grill (if offered — include tools and propane)
• Outdoor trash receptacle

Access and Security

• Install a smart lock or lockbox — eliminate the need for physical key handoffs
• Test the access code system thoroughly before launch
• Create a backup access method in case of smart lock failure
• Change the access code between every guest stay

Cleaning and Turnover

• Establish a relationship with a reliable cleaning service before your first booking
• Create a cleaning checklist specific to your property
• Stock a cleaning supply kit at the property (or arrange for your cleaner to supply)
• Establish a linen protocol — launder on-site or use a linen service

Inventory and Restocking

• Create an inventory list of all consumables (toiletries, paper goods, kitchen supplies)
• Establish a restocking process — who checks, who orders, who delivers
• Set par levels for each item (minimum quantity before reorder)

Maintenance

• Identify a reliable handyman for minor repairs
• Know your HVAC service provider
• Know your plumber
• Have an electrician's contact on file
• Create a maintenance log to track issues and repairs

Photography

• Deep clean and stage the property before the photo shoot
• Hire a professional real estate or STR photographer — phone photos will cost you bookings
• Shoot during the day with natural light
• Capture every room, including bathrooms and kitchen
• Include at least one outdoor shot if you have exterior space
• Photograph any unique features — original hardwood floors, exposed brick, a clawfoot tub, a courtyard

Listing Setup

• Write a title that highlights your strongest selling points (location, unique features, capacity)
• Write a detailed description that sets accurate expectations
• Complete every amenity checkbox — missing amenities make you invisible to filtered searches
• Set your house rules clearly (pets, smoking, parties, quiet hours)
• Write detailed check-in instructions
• Create a digital or printed welcome guide with local recommendations
• Set your pricing — research comparable listings in your neighborhood before setting rates
• Set your minimum stay requirements
• Configure your cancellation policy

Before your first real guest, do a test run.

• Stay in the property yourself for one night, or have a trusted friend do it
• Test every appliance, every light switch, every lock
• Connect to the WiFi and test the speed
• Run the shower and check water pressure and hot water availability
• Check that the AC/heat works in every room
• Walk through the property as a guest would — what's confusing? What's missing?
• Fix everything you find before going live

A well-prepared property launch sets the tone for everything that follows. Guests who arrive to a clean, well-stocked, thoughtfully furnished property are primed to leave great reviews — and great reviews compound over time into higher occupancy and higher rates.

The checklist above is comprehensive, but it's also a lot to manage alone. Many New Orleans hosts find that partnering with a property services company for the launch phase — and ongoing operations — is the most efficient path to a guest-ready property.

NILMIRA LIVING offers a Turn-Key STR Launch service that handles furnishing coordination, deep cleaning, inventory setup, and professional photography — everything on this checklist, done for you. Get in touch to discuss your property.