The Essential Algarve Peak Season Prep Checklist for Airbnb Owners
Key Takeaways
AC failure in June costs €3,000-8,000. April service costs €120. The difference is timing.
April-May preparation prevents 70-80% of peak season disasters through systematic testing and maintenance.
Deep cleaning in April prevents negative reviews. Discovery during guest stays guarantees them.
Professional photography capturing spring appearance increases bookings 20-30% versus winter photos.
Emergency protocols tested in April save 3-6 hours during July crises.
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An AC unit fails on June 15th. Guests arrive June 16th. The emergency technician charges €1,200 for weekend service. You compensate guests €200. The negative review costs €5,000 in lost future bookings. Total damage: €6,400.
The same AC failure prevented through €120 April service costs 95% less.
And more importantly, it eliminates the stress, preserves your reviews, and maintains peak season revenue.
This guide covers systematic April-May preparation that prevents disasters whilst positioning properties for maximum June-August performance.
We'll examine critical systems testing, deep cleaning, outdoor preparation, supply stocking, emergency protocols, and photography updates.
Start Preparation April 1st
Peak season preparation requires 6-8 weeks before the first June bookings. Starting too late guarantees discovering problems under pressure when fixing becomes exponentially more expensive.
April provides adequate contractor availability at standard rates. Time exists for proper fixes rather than temporary patches. Weather cooperates for outdoor work and deep cleaning. Most importantly, problems get discovered through scheduled inspections rather than angry guest phone calls.
March represents planning phase. Schedule annual maintenance appointments with contractors. Confirm their availability and pricing. Inventory supplies and assess equipment condition. Review last season's issues and guest feedback.
April focuses on execution. Complete deep cleaning throughout properties. Finish all scheduled maintenance. Assess property condition systematically. Prepare outdoor spaces for photography and guests. Update listing photos if needed.
May handles final preparation. Test all systems rigorously under load conditions. Update welcome books with seasonal information. Verify emergency contact availability. Confirm team readiness. Use first June bookings as final system tests.
Starting in June creates crisis management mode. Problems get discovered during guest stays rather than scheduled inspections. Emergency repairs cost 2-3× normal rates. Guest disruptions guarantee negative reviews. Contractor unavailability delays fixes further.
The difference between April preparation and June scrambling equals thousands in prevented costs plus dramatically reduced stress.
Understanding maintenance issues that destroy reviews emphasizes prevention over reaction.
AC Service: The Critical Task
AC professional service represents the single most important preparation task. Summer Algarve temperatures reach 28-35°C. AC failure equals uninhabitable property.
Annual service costs €80-120 per unit. The service includes filter replacement, refrigerant level check, electrical connection inspection, condenser coil cleaning, thermostat calibration, and function testing. Coastal salt air clogs condensers rapidly. Dirty filters reduce efficiency 30-40%.
Schedule service in April before heat begins. Contractors remain available at standard rates. Issues get identified before emergency situations develop. Time exists for parts ordering if needed. Work completes before May heat waves test systems.
The cost-benefit seems absurd. Service costs €120. Disaster costs €6,300-12,650 through emergency repairs, alternative accommodation, guest compensation, and review damage. Emergency weekend repairs cost €1,200-2,500. Guest refunds cost €100-200. Review damage from "AC broke in 35°C heat" reduces bookings 20-30% for 6-12 months, costing €5,000-10,000.
Beyond April service, monthly maintenance takes five minutes per unit. Remove and clean filters monthly. Inspect visually for leaks or damage. Check drain lines flow properly. Test cooling adequacy. Listen for unusual noises. Set monthly phone reminders.
Portable backup units cost €200-300 and provide emergency insurance. They're not ideal long-term solutions. But portables keep properties habitable during repairs, preventing guest relocations and catastrophic reviews. For 2-bedroom properties, two portable units costing €500 total save €3,000-8,000 from a single failure over their five-year lifespan.
Hot Water and WiFi Systems
Hot water service costs €80-120 annually and ensures adequate supply for peak occupancy. The service includes tank flushing to remove sediment, anode rod inspection, thermostat verification maintaining 50-55°C, capacity assessment, leak inspection, and element testing for electric systems.
Capacity matters substantially. Two-bedroom properties hosting four guests need minimum 150-litre capacity. Standard 80-100 litre residential heaters prove insufficient for back-to-back showers. Undersized heaters generate "no hot water" or "cold showers" in reviews. These mentions reduce bookings 25-35% for 6-12 months despite immediate fixes.
WiFi testing covers all property areas. Test speeds confirming minimum 50 Mbps download. Test multiple devices simultaneously—six to eight devices. Verify streaming quality with 4K video. Check video call quality. Identify coverage gaps requiring mesh systems. Confirm password accessibility.
Router age matters. Consumer routers degrade after 3-4 years. Quality €80-150 routers replaced every 3-4 years prevent failures whilst maintaining performance.
Backup connectivity proves essential. 4G/5G mobile hotspots cost €50-80 plus data plans. They provide immediate alternatives when primary internet fails. Service provider outages happen—storm damage, infrastructure work, technical problems. Backup available within 30 minutes transforms catastrophes into minor inconveniences.
Understanding first 90 days property setup includes WiFi infrastructure from launch.
Deep Cleaning Before Peak
Pre-season deep clean costs €200-500. It addresses accumulation not caught during regular turnover cleaning.
The scope includes kitchen appliance interiors with oven deep clean and refrigerator comprehensive cleaning. Windows get cleaned inside and outside. Baseboards and corners get attention. Light fixtures and ceiling fans get cleaned, improving brightness. Outdoor furniture cushions get cleaned, removing winter mould. Grout gets cleaned and sealed, brightening tile dramatically.
Schedule cleaning late April or early May before first June bookings. Properties enter peak season at absolute best condition. This prevents discovering missed areas through guest complaints.
Professional cleaning costs €350-500. It delivers better results than cheap €200 amateur cleaning that misses critical details. The cleanliness standard established carries through the season, setting tone for ongoing quality.
Property condition walk-through identifies repair needs systematically. Interior inspection covers walls and ceilings for marks requiring touch-up. Floors throughout need assessment for deep cleaning. Furniture condition requires checking for repair or replacement needs. Bedding and linen inventory needs verification. Kitchen equipment gets functionality testing. Bathroom condition includes grout, seals, and fixtures. Doors and locks need smooth operation checks. Window screens need repair to prevent insect entry.
Exterior inspection examines pool service if applicable. Outdoor furniture needs repair or replacement assessment. Umbrellas and shade require functionality checks. BBQ or grill needs cleaning verification. Landscaping needs professional attention. Entrance areas need first impression assessment. Exterior lighting needs adequacy verification for safety.
Categorize priorities for execution. Critical items need completion by May 1st—safety issues, functional problems, high-visibility items. Important items need completion by May 15th—comfort items, aesthetic concerns, minor repairs. Nice-to-have items can defer if needed—upgrades, non-essential improvements.
Understanding property management mistakes includes deferred maintenance creating crises.
Outdoor Space Preparation
Algarve's 300+ annual sunshine days make outdoor living the primary appeal. Outdoor space condition directly affects booking rates.
Initial April landscaping costs €250-400. Professional cleanup removes winter debris and overgrowth. Pruning creates maintained appearance. Lawn care establishes healthy growth if applicable. Weed removal covers the entire property. Mulch or decorative stone gets refreshed.
Ongoing maintenance May through September costs €100-150 monthly. Bi-weekly service maintains appearance through lawn mowing, weed control, plant watering, and general upkeep.
Well-maintained landscaping increases perceived property value €15-25 nightly. Overgrown or neglected appearance reduces bookings 20-30% regardless of interior quality. Outdoor photos comprise three to five of the top 10 listing images.
The ROI proves compelling. Investment of €750 for April plus May-September service generates €2,400 impact. This comes through €20 nightly premium across 90 bookings plus occupancy improvement worth €600. Total ROI reaches 320% annually.
Outdoor furniture needs systematic inspection. Clean all surfaces with power washing if needed. Repair broken items or replace completely. Check cushion condition—wash covers and replace compressed foam. Verify table stability and comfort. Check chair functionality and safety. Implement storage solutions protecting cushions from weather.
Umbrellas and shade structures require attention. Test mechanism functionality. Inspect fabric condition for tears or fading. Verify stability and safety. Clean to remove mould and mildew.
BBQ preparation includes deep cleaning to remove grease buildup. Inspect gas connections if applicable. Replace grate if needed. Verify accessories are present. Add instructions to welcome book.
Supply Stocking Strategy
Peak season requires substantially larger supply inventory than off-season. Running out mid-season creates operational chaos.
Kitchen supplies cost €80-150 for three-month stock. Include bulk dishwasher tablets for frequent bookings. Stock adequate dish soap and cleaning supplies. Include bin bags in multiple sizes. Add kitchen roll. Include aluminium foil and cling film. Stock coffee filters if applicable. Add basic condiments.
Bathroom supplies cost €100-180. Stock toilet paper in bulk—calculate carefully. Include shampoo and shower gel in refillable dispensers or bottles. Stock hand soap for all sinks. Include bathroom-specific cleaning supplies. Stock tissues in multiple boxes. Include first aid basics.
Toilet paper alone requires careful planning. Standard packs cost €3-4 per 12-pack. Peak volumes need 3-4 packs monthly.
Cleaning supplies cost €80-120. Include all-purpose cleaner in multiple bottles. Stock glass cleaner for windows and mirrors. Include specialized bathroom cleaner. Stock floor cleaner appropriate for surfaces. Include vacuum bags or filters. Stock mop head replacements.
Linen inventory costs €200-500 if replacements are needed. Stock towels at two per guest plus four backup sets minimum. Include beach towels at one per guest if provided. Stock bed linen at two complete sets per bed minimum. Verify adequate pillows in good condition. Include summer lightweight blankets. Replace worn items—towels typically last 12-18 months in rental use.
Total supply investment of €460-950 for three months prevents expensive emergency purchases. Running out mid-season forces €200-400 emergency purchase premiums whilst creating operational stress.
Guest Experience Optimization
Welcome book updates require two hours but save 20-30 hours answering repetitive questions throughout summer.
Refresh seasonal information. Cover summer-specific activities and attractions. Include beach recommendations with parking and facilities details. Update restaurant information noting closures and new openings. Add event calendars showing festivals and markets. Include weather expectations for heat management. Add insect information with prevention tips.
Emphasize property instructions. Explain AC operation clearly. Describe hot water system recovery time. Display WiFi network and password prominently. Detail outdoor space usage rules and equipment. Explain waste management collection days clearly.
Include local insider tips. Recommend authentic experiences avoiding tourist traps. Share hidden gems locals favour. Provide practical information about supermarkets and pharmacies. Include transportation guidance covering parking, buses, and taxis.
Communication systems need preparation. Update response templates with summer-specific information. Revise pre-arrival messages including peak season parking considerations. Verify check-in instructions remain accurate. Clarify house rules thoroughly. Prepare issue resolution scripts.
Peak season demands under one-hour response times. Slower responses lose bookings to faster competitors. Enquiry conversion drops from 70-80% under one hour to 30-40% at 6-12 hours response time.
Team coordination confirms capacity. Verify cleaner can handle peak volume. Confirm maintenance contacts offer 24-hour availability. Identify backup support for holiday coverage. Review and test emergency protocols.
Understanding guest communication systems prevents peak season overwhelm.
Photography Updates
Spring and summer property appearance differs dramatically from winter. Updated seasonal photography captures appeal whilst outdated winter photos reduce bookings 20-30%.
Optimal timing runs April 15 through May 15. Spring flowers bloom throughout Algarve. Weather stays consistently pleasant without peak heat haze. Gardens appear lush and green. Outdoor spaces stage pristinely. Natural light perfects photography.
Priority shots include outdoor living areas showing dining and lounging spaces. Capture gardens and landscaping at best seasonal appearance. Show bright interior spaces with natural light. Update any renovations or improvements. Use lifestyle staging rather than empty spaces.
Photography investment of €500 delivers 1,400-2,400% ROI. The booking increase of 20-30% from superior visual presentation generates €7,000-12,000 additional annual revenue. The investment returns itself within 30-50 bookings—typically 2-3 months.
Properties using winter photos throughout summer underperform substantially. Brown gardens, grey skies, closed restaurants, and empty beaches photograph poorly. This compares unfavorably to vibrant summer appeal compelling bookings.
Listing optimization updates positioning. Emphasize summer appeal in headlines. Highlight seasonal advantages in descriptions. Focus on AC and outdoor spaces in amenities. Verify calendar availability remains accurate. Ensure pricing strategy suits peak appropriately.
Understanding dynamic pricing strategies maximizes peak season revenue.
Emergency Protocol Testing
Test emergency systems in April. This prevents 3-6 hour response delays during July crises when contractor availability becomes scarce.
Contractor relationship confirmation requires April contact verification. Confirm plumber names and 24-hour availability. Verify electrician emergency service. Check AC specialist contact and parts availability. Confirm handyman general repair response time. Verify locksmith 24-hour service capability.
Test relationships through scheduling non-urgent minor tasks in April-May. This confirms contractors deliver as promised. Better discovering reliability issues during preparation than during guest emergencies requiring immediate response.
Document emergency protocols with scenario planning. Specify AC failure immediate steps, contractor contacts, timeline expectations, guest communication approaches, and compensation policies. Outline hot water failure immediate response, contractor contacts, temporary solutions, and guest handling. Document similar procedures for WiFi failures, plumbing emergencies, and lock or access issues.
Each scenario costs €200-800 per incident. But proper response prevents thousands in review damage through professional rapid response demonstrating competence even when problems occur.
Total Investment and Prevention Value
Complete April-May preparation costs €2,000-3,000. This breaks down as AC service €120 per unit, hot water service €100, deep cleaning €350, outdoor preparation €750, supply stocking €750, photography €500, and minor repairs €300-500.
This investment prevents €10,000-25,000 disasters. Emergency repairs cost 2-3× normal rates. Guest compensation adds expenses. Review damage persists 6-12 months. Lost bookings compound problems.
Net value reaches €7,000-22,000. This makes preparation obviously worthwhile versus crisis management discovering problems mid-season when fixing costs multiply whilst disrupting guests.
The stress difference proves equally dramatic. Properties entering peak season thoroughly prepared operate smoothly. Minor predictable issues get handled systematically. Properties unprepared experience constant crisis management. Owners react to emergencies whilst simultaneously hosting guests. The pressure becomes overwhelming.
Starting April 1st provides adequate time. Everything gets completed systematically without rushing. Waiting until May 15th forces rushed execution. Critical items get missed. Starting June guarantees problems discovered under pressure. Fixing becomes exponentially more difficult and expensive.
Conclusion
The difference between €120 April AC service and €8,000 June disaster comes down to timing. Prevention costs less than reaction by orders of magnitude.
Systematic April-May preparation prevents 70-80% of peak season disasters whilst positioning properties for maximum performance. Critical systems get tested. Deep cleaning gets completed. Outdoor spaces get prepared. Supplies get stocked. Emergency protocols get verified.
Properties entering peak season prepared operate smoothly throughout June-August. Issues that arise get handled systematically through established protocols. Guest satisfaction remains high. Reviews stay positive. Revenue achieves potential.
Properties entering peak season unprepared experience constant crisis management. Problems get discovered through guest complaints rather than scheduled inspections. Emergency fixes cost multiples of preventive maintenance. Guest disruptions guarantee negative reviews. The stress becomes overwhelming.
The choice seems obvious once calculated completely. Invest €2,500 preventing €15,000 disasters. Start preparation April 1st. Enter peak season ready rather than scrambling.
Want to see what your rental property in the Algarve should actually be earning?
Click here to get your free earnings estimate using real Algarve market data.
Frequently Asked Questions
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AC professional service costs €80-120 per unit scheduled in April. This prevents 90% of summer failures. Summer Algarve temperatures reach 28-35°C, making AC non-negotiable. AC failure equals uninhabitable property. Service includes filter replacement, refrigerant check, electrical inspection, and function testing. Disaster costs reach €3,000-8,000 through emergency repairs at weekend premiums, guest compensation, and review damage.
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Start April 1st. Complete by May 31st. Peak bookings intensify June 1st requiring readiness. Contractors remain available April-May before emergency demand overwhelms them. Starting June creates crisis mode with problems discovered during guest stays. This guarantees negative reviews whilst emergency rates apply. Example: AC needs €800 repair June 15th with guests arriving June 16th. Total cost reaches €7,000-10,000 versus €120 April service.
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Stock comprehensive inventory costing €460-950 lasting 3-6 months. Kitchen essentials cost €80-150 including dishwasher tablets and cleaning supplies. Bathroom essentials cost €100-180 including bulk toilet paper and soaps. Cleaning supplies cost €80-120. Linen inventory costs €200-500 including towels at two per guest plus backups and adequate bed linen sets. Peak season requires larger inventory preventing mid-season shortages.
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Update photography every 1-2 years showing seasonal appeal. Spring photos taken April-May show Algarve at best with blue skies and lush gardens. Winter photos show grey skies and brown gardens, reducing bookings 20-30%. Photography investment of €400-600 delivers 1,400-2,400% ROI through booking increases. Optimal timing runs April 15-May 15 when spring flowers bloom and weather stays pleasant.
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Total investment costs €2,000-3,000 covering AC service, hot water service, deep cleaning, outdoor preparation, supply stocking, photography, and minor repairs. This prevents €10,000-25,000 disasters through emergency repairs, guest compensation, review damage, and lost bookings. Net value reaches €7,000-22,000, making preparation obviously worthwhile versus crisis management when fixing costs multiply whilst disrupting guests.
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Casa Oeste systematizes April-May preparation through comprehensive protocols. We complete systems testing, coordinate professional deep cleaning, assess property condition and arrange repairs, prepare outdoor spaces, confirm contractor relationships, and update welcome books. Properties enter peak season fully ready, preventing disasters whilst maintaining performance standards. Visit our pricing page for comprehensive management including systematic peak preparation.
About the Author
Matt Deasy is the founder and CEO of Casa Oeste: a property expert with more than 20 years of experience in international tourism and 15 years living in the Western Algarve. Having renovated multiple properties across Portugal, Matt brings a practical, boots-on-the-ground perspective to every article.
A travel industry expert, he previously launched and ran a multinational travel company, selling tens of thousands of bed nights across Europe and Africa for over a decade - and is the co-founder of PortugalXpert - specialists in Portugal relocation. He is the co-author of two books on relocating and investing in Portugal: Portugal Beckons and Your Portuguese Property Beckons, both available on Amazon.
Through Casa Oeste, Matt helps homeowners unlock the full potential of their Algarve properties with expert management, renovations, and market-led insights.
