Minpaku turnover cleaning: a host's guide

Price by size

One fixed price per turnover by home size: 1R/1K ¥26,000, 1DK ¥28,600, 1LDK ¥32,500, 2LDK ¥52,000, 3LDK ¥59,800, 4LDK ¥65,000. One cleaner and a supervisor attend up to 1LDK and two from 2LDK.

Checklist essentials

Strip and remake beds, clean bathroom and toilet, wipe kitchen, vacuum and mop, restock amenities, check for damage or lost property, empty rubbish according to building rules.

Compliance basics

Short-term rentals in Japan run under the Minpaku law (180 days a year), the Ryokan Business Act or a special-zone licence. Cleaning must respect building rules and local noise and rubbish regulations.

Quality control

Take timestamped photos of each room after cleaning. They help resolve disputes and show up recurring problems.

The minimum a guest expects

Short-stay guests expect a space that feels new to them: clean bathroom without hair or odour, fresh bedding, a dust-free surface, an empty bin and a fresh smell. They are less forgiving than long-term tenants, because they are paying per night and comparing with hotels. A consistent turnover routine is the best protection for your reviews. Write the standard once as a checklist, with photos of the correct layout, and use it for every turnover.

Sequencing a turnover

A reliable sequence is: open windows, strip bedding, collect rubbish, clean the bathroom, wipe the kitchen and surfaces, vacuum and mop floors, make the bed, restock amenities, then do a final check and take a photo. Working in this order means that you do not re-dirty cleaned areas. Leave a generous buffer between the end of the clean and the next check-in, especially for larger units.

Supplies, linen and amenities

Keep two or three full sets of linen per bed, so one set can be washed while another is in use. Store amenities such as toilet paper, soap and coffee where the cleaner can find them. Track stock and refill before it runs out. A small supply cupboard with labelled shelves saves time and prevents a missing roll from becoming a bad review. Decide how laundry is handled: on site, by an outside service or by your cleaner.

Rules and compliance

Hosting in Japan involves registration or notification under the minpaku law, as well as local rules on days of operation, building regulations and neighbour consideration. These responsibilities belong to the host and vary by location, so check them with your local authority before operating. Practical points include clear house rules for rubbish and noise, and a contact for neighbours. Our cleaners work in daytime hours and can follow your rubbish and access instructions.

Photo documentation and issue reporting

Photos protect everyone. Ask your cleaner to send a photo of the finished room, and a photo of any damage, stain or missing item. Keep these for your records, as they help with guest disputes and platform claims. Share a reference photo of how the room should look, including the bed layout and amenity placement. A fast report lets you replace a missing item or contact a guest before the next arrival.

Quick answers

How is a turnover priced? One fixed price by home size, from ¥26,000 for a 1R/1K up to ¥65,000 for a 4LDK, tax and travel included. Can a turnover be done at night? Our visits are in daytime hours, between 9:00 and 17:00. Who supplies cleaning products? In our service, we do. What about the linen? You supply it, or we coordinate pickup and return with an outside laundry service.

Scaling from one room to several

As you add rooms, systems matter more than effort. Use one checklist per property type, one supply cupboard per property, a shared calendar and a single contact for cleaning. Assign a consistent cleaner to each property where possible. Review monthly: number of cleans, issues reported, review scores on cleanliness and cost per turnover. If a pattern appears, fix the cause. A cleaning partner who knows your standard allows you to grow without becoming a full-time cleaner.