Lending your home to friends: a practical checklist
A few checks before lending your home help you prepare for your friends’ arrival and your own return. Follow this checklist step by step.
What this article covers
- One or two weeks ahead: confirm the stay
- Before confirming: check the lending arrangements
- A few days ahead: prepare the home as it is
To lend your home to friends, start by agreeing on the dates, who is coming and the arrangements for the stay. Then prepare the home, share the information they need and organise the key handover. This checklist takes you through each stage, right up to your return, so you can avoid oversights without making hospitality complicated.
Trust makes sharing easier. It does not remove the need to explain what works for everyone: a departure time, a room that stays private or a contribution towards costs is easier to discuss before arrival.
One or two weeks ahead: confirm the stay
“Come whenever you like” is an invitation, but it does not yet define a stay. Talk to your friends and agree clearly on the following:
- The dates and a realistic arrival and departure time window.
- The number of adults and children, and whether a pet is coming.
- The beds available and the equipment needed.
- Accessible areas, any additional visitors and particular house rules.
- The costs you have agreed to share and how to settle them.
On KazaKlub, displayed availability helps you prepare a request; it does not replace the host’s agreement. Read about choosing who has access and what is visible in Sharing without losing control.
Before confirming: check the lending arrangements
Check the conditions that apply to your home and insurance. Being friends does not mean you can assume damage will be covered. If you rent, or if several people make decisions about the property, also check that you are entitled to arrange the stay on the proposed terms.
To prepare your questions for your insurer, read Free loan or rental: what changes for your insurance. Note the useful contact details and keep the answers that relate to your situation.
A few days ahead: prepare the home as it is
You do not need to empty your home. The aim is to make room for your friends and let them know what they may use. Clear some storage space, show which cupboards are for them and put away the documents, medicines and personal items you want to keep private.
Test the essentials for their stay: lighting, hot water, heating if needed and the appliances they will use. Tell your friends about anything unavailable before they travel. A bed that was promised but cannot be used has a real effect on their plans.
- Prepare the linen you agreed to provide, or remind them what to bring.
- Check the basic supplies for arrival: toilet paper, soap, bin bags and cleaning products.
- Clear walkways and point out any particular features of the home.
- Prepare for the children or pets expected, without assuming the home is automatically suitable for them.
The day before: share the right information
Put the instructions in a short document: how the heating works, waste sorting, an appliance with a quirk and whom to contact if something goes wrong. The welcome book template for a lent home is a useful starting point.
Share sensitive access information separately and privately. Also make sure your friends can read the instructions if they arrive without mobile reception. A simple explanation with a helpful photo is often better than a long list of instructions.
Arrival day: check that everything works
Arrange for someone to be reachable during the arrival window. Simply ask your friends to confirm that they got in and found the essentials. If you are away, read our guide to organising the key handover.
Once they have settled in, give them some independence. They should know when to contact you: an access problem, a major breakdown, damage or a change in the number of guests. There is no need to monitor every part of their stay.
Before departure and when you return: complete the handover
| When | A useful check |
|---|---|
| Before they leave | Tidying, linen and cleaning as agreed; equipment settings; securing the home. |
| On departure | Returning the keys by the agreed method and sending a confirmation message. |
| When you return | Promptly mentioning anything forgotten or any problem, settling agreed expenses and improving the instructions for next time. |
Do you rent your home? Before confirming the dates, read the checks to make before lending your flat while you are away.
Frequently asked questions
Should I remove all my personal belongings?
No. Decide what remains accessible and what you would rather put in a private space. The most useful thing is to leave enough room for guests and explain the boundaries.
Do friends need to put everything in writing?
A summary of the dates, guests, costs and main instructions helps avoid differing recollections. It can stay short and friendly; the aim is for everyone to know what they have agreed to.
Do I have to receive a stay in return?
KazaKlub allows lending and sharing without requiring a reciprocal stay. The people involved still agree on the arrangements for each visit.
Would you like to offer your home to your trusted circle? Discover how KazaKlub works, then prepare your first Kaza with up-to-date information and availability.
Your next stay starts with your circle.
Create your account, bring your friends and family together and prepare your first request.
Every stay requires the host’s agreement.
