When it comes to delivering an exceptional guest experience, property managers know that maintenance and cleanliness are non-negotiable. To better understand common pain points in vacation rentals, we analyzed over 300,000 reported issues logged by inspectors, cleaners, and field staff through the Breezeway mobile app.

From malfunctioning appliances to tricky hot tubs, these findings highlight the most frequently reported issues in vacation rentals—and more importantly, expert advice on how you can prevent them.

Kitchen appliances are a consistent source of problems

The kitchen is the heart of a vacation rental, and it’s no surprise that appliance issues are common, with refrigerators being the biggest culprit. Guests often book an Airbnb or vacation rental over a hotel or other accommodations because of the access to a kitchen. This constant use, combined with unfamiliarity with certain appliances, can lead to issues for the next guest if they’re not caught by your cleaning or inspection team.

For example, guests tend to use more ice when on vacation, this may cause more wear and tear on ice makers, leading to more maintenance issues. Without a consistent inspection process, small problems go unnoticed until they become major headaches. Other common kitchen issues include broken dishwashers, trash left behind, and dirty sinks or utensils.

💡 Prevention tip:

Sarah Whitley of Village Realty explained, “Appliances are a big complaint with guests in vacation rental homes because they get so much more use than a residential home - whether it is user error or an actual issue. We keep troubleshooting tips in our guest portal to help guests try to resolve the issue themselves.”

If the issue can’t be addressed proactively, a quick resolution is the next best option. Sarah says, “Our cleaners and inspectors make it a point to check appliances during every turnover. If they note an issue, we can get a maintenance technician out quickly to assess. We also keep the appliance element updated in Breezeway with the make and model information to help us expedite the solution. With Breezeway, we can also track the number of calls for a certain appliance, which helps us see if this is a recurring issue.”

Bathrooms bring recurring plumbing and cleanliness concerns

Bathrooms come in a close second for reported issues. Common complaints include clogged toilets, slow-draining sinks, mold or mildew in showers, and broken towel bars or toilet paper holders.

Water-related fixtures are prone to wear and tear, and guests may not bring your attention to minor problems like a slow drain until they’re serious. Without consistent attention, these small inconveniences can lead to larger issues or poor reviews.

💡 Prevention tip:

Fernando Molina of South Padre Trips agreed bathrooms can be tricky. He shared some of the top issues his team experienced and the tips they’ve learned to overcome them:

1. The bottom of the toilets are always dirty. Our cleaning teams know this and are trained to clean that area well.
2. Prior to guest arrival, our inspection team always checks the bathroom, specifically the toilets, and can address anything that was missed.
3. We complete two deep cleans per year to help prevent any buildup or wear and tear in the bathrooms.
4. Amenities in the bathroom matter. We always provide toiletries like soaps and shampoos, two makeup towels, and an adequate amount of towels for the number of guests. This presentation makes a huge difference.
5. We also conduct preventative maintenance checks, which include checking under each sink and repairing if needed by either painting or replacing existing wood to try and give it life.

Bedroom upkeep requires close attention to detail

While the bedroom might seem low-maintenance, it still ranks in the top five rooms for reported issues. These issues range from broken lamps and missing light bulbs to stained linens and malfunctioning window coverings.

Bedrooms are the most personal space for guests, and they notice even the smallest imperfections. A ripped pillowcase, burned-out bulb, or even a hair left behind can impact their comfort—and your reviews.

Consistency builds trust. When every bedroom meets a “guest-ready” standard, you increase satisfaction and reduce the chance of a surprise maintenance request during a guest’s stay.

💡 Prevention tip:

Tea Popaja of PRIME Vacations added, “The best way to ensure guest satisfaction is by presenting a home that is clean, functional, and visually appealing – one that matches, if not mirrors, the photos shown online when the guest made their booking.”

To support this standard and prevent guest complaints about consistency with the listing, Tea suggests, “providing inspectors with a visual reference, such as a Breezeway template or a standardized photo checklist, removes the guesswork and allows them to focus on deeper details like stains, dust, checking drawers, or missing amenities. Standardizing linens and quilts also reduces the chance of errors related to stains or mismatched sets, while simultaneously enhancing the overall aesthetic with a crisp, clean look. This approach empowers inspectors to view the bedroom through the guest's eyes, making it easier to spot anything that could impact the overall experience.”

Guests love hot tubs, but they cause frequent issues

Hot tubs are one of the most loved amenities—but they’re also one of the most problematic. Common issues include incorrect water chemistry, broken jets, dirty filters, or units not heating properly. Guests often don’t have this amenity at home, so reported issues could also be a false alarm caused by improper use.

Hot tubs require regular upkeep, and even one missed service can lead to cloudy water or equipment damage. The complexity of spa maintenance often falls outside standard housekeeping duties, but still requires inspection between turnovers, making upkeep especially challenging.

💡 Prevention tip:

Joe Refosco of Timber Rock Village shares some of the top reported issues they’ve experienced with hot tubs and how they handle them:

• Issue: The hot tub cover is too heavy or ripped
  Solution: Have a standard operating procedure (SOP) that works for your business. Do you have access to a supplier to get new ones on the fly, or do you keep them in stock? We chose to keep them in stock.
• Issue: Iron in the water
  Solution: Have a script for staff to address this with guests. To prevent this, keep track of which hot tubs have this as a common problem and have inspectors check these in case they need to be wiped out before guest arrival.
• Issue: Dirty
  Solution: Whether you have a hot tub cleaning service in-house or not, make sure they can come within a few hours to handle any calls on dirty tubs. Additionally, have a rule that after a certain time, if a guest calls with an issue that is not an emergency, you cannot send out someone to service the tub until the next day.

The grill: a guest favorite, but a maintenance challenge

Outdoor grills are another frequently reported issue, often due to cleanliness and wear and tear. When guests are on vacation, they love to grill.

Grills are a summertime favorite, but they make the list year-round as a top reported issue. From empty propane tanks to dirty grates, grease buildup, and broken igniters, grill problems are frequent and frustrating—for both guests and staff.

Grills are often overlooked during cleanings, as this task typically falls outside standard housekeeping duties. But grease buildup or an empty fuel tank can ruin a guest’s outdoor dinner plans.

💡 Prevention tip:

Jonathan Fonvielle of Atlantic Vacation Homes shares that one of the easiest ways to ensure guests can use the grill properly during their stay is, “We have two propane tanks at every house, and during the turnover our inspectors will check the spare tank. If it's empty they swap it out, and if it's full they leave it. So, we always know there's at least one full tank. We also have our housekeepers take a picture in Breezeway after they've cleaned the grill so we know that it's done properly.”

Key takeaways: Prioritizing preventive maintenance and safety

Our data confirms that preventative maintenance is essential for avoiding last-minute surprises and keeping guests happy. Regular inspections, timely repairs, and clear guest guidelines can go a long way in reducing reported issues and improving overall property performance.

Understanding the most common issues across vacation rentals isn’t just about fixing things—it’s about building smarter, more proactive operations. By using data to prioritize preventive maintenance and empower your teams with the right tools and checklists, you can: 

• Save time by reducing last-minute service calls
• Improve guest satisfaction with fewer issues during their stay
• Reduce costs by extending the life of your property assets
• Strengthen your brand reputation and 5-star reviews