Operations
The Corporate Housing Move-In and Move-Out Checklist
A move-in and move-out checklist for corporate housing operators: unit readiness, paperwork, arrival, the first 48 hours, notice, inspection, deposit and turn.
A booking is not ready until the unit is. For many operators that means a truck, a crew and a few hundred items arriving in the right apartment on the right day. Here is how to keep it under control.
Buy or rent
| Buy | Rent from a furniture rental company | |
|---|---|---|
| Up-front cost | High | Low |
| Monthly cost | None after purchase, plus storage | A monthly charge per package |
| Flexibility | Low: you own it whether units are booked or not | High: return it when a unit leaves your inventory |
| Control over quality | Full | Limited to the rental catalog |
| Best for | Stable units you will keep for years | New markets, test units and fast growth |
Many operators do both: owned packages in core buildings, rented ones where they are still proving demand.
Standard packages
Define one package per unit size and stick to it. Consistency makes quoting, delivery, setup and replacement predictable.
| Room | Typical package |
|---|---|
| Bedroom | Bed and frame, mattress protector, two sets of linens, pillows, nightstands, lamps, dresser, hangers |
| Living | Sofa, coffee table, side table, lamp, TV and stand, rug |
| Dining and work | Table and chairs, desk and desk chair |
| Kitchen | Cookware, dishes, glasses, utensils, knives, small appliances, dish towels |
| Bath | Towels, bath mat, shower curtain, hair dryer |
| Household | Vacuum, iron and board, laundry basket, first-aid kit, starter supplies |
Write each package as an inventory list and attach it to the unit, so setup crews, inspectors and residents all work from the same list.
Track every item
Know three things about every piece: what it is, where it is, and what condition it is in. A furniture catalog with categories, assignments to units and condition grades turns "I think the grey sofa is in 3B" into a fact. It also tells you when to replace pieces before a resident complains.
Schedule against the stay
Furniture work should be planned from the booking, not after it:
- Setup is due before the move-in date, with time for cleaning and inspection after.
- Teardown follows the move-out when a unit is leaving your inventory.
- Turns happen between stays in a unit you keep furnished: inspect, clean, replace anything damaged or missing.
Remember the building: many apartment communities require elevator reservations, delivery windows and a certificate of insurance from your movers.
The setup checklist
- Package delivered and checked against the inventory list
- Furniture assembled and placed to the layout
- Beds made, towels out, kitchen kit unpacked and put away
- Wi-Fi and TV tested
- Unit cleaned and inspected
- Photos of every room saved to the unit and the booking
- Setup marked complete, and the unit marked ready
Damage and replacement
Things wear out and things get broken. Record damage with photos against the item, the unit and the stay, so you can tell normal wear from damage a resident should pay for, and see which items fail most. Our guide to deposits and damage charges covers how to charge fairly.
Measure it
- Days from booking to unit ready
- Setup cost per unit
- Damage cost per stay
- Replacement rate by item type
Run it from the booking
In Staylio, furniture lives in the same system as bookings: the catalog, assignments, deliveries, setup and teardown tasks with crews and photos, condition and damage. A confirmed stay can drive its setup, and a move-out its teardown.
Frequently asked questions
What furniture does corporate housing include?
Usually everything needed to live there: beds and linens, living room and dining furniture, a desk, a fully equipped kitchen, bath linens, a TV and Wi-Fi, plus household items like a vacuum and an iron.
Should I buy or rent furniture for corporate housing?
Buying costs more up front and less over time, and gives you full control over quality. Renting keeps cash free and lets you return furniture when a unit leaves your inventory. Many operators use both.
How long does a furniture setup take?
It depends on the unit size, the building's rules and your crew, but plan the delivery and setup with time to clean and inspect before the move-in date.