Preparing the Photo Tour
Discover Essential Tips for Your Sustainable Property Tour: We understand that every property manager or owner is unique, just like each property they manage. Defining a standard sustainability measure that applies to all can be challenging. That’s why we’ve compiled a comprehensive page to help you navigate your property tour with confidence. Explore the key considerations and reasons behind them, ensuring you cover all aspects of sustainability. Prepare for an informative and insightful property tour experience tailored to your specific needs.
Our photo tour is thoughtfully designed to be user-friendly and accessible for all property managers. We understand that time constraints may prevent physical visits to every property. That’s why our step-by-step tour ensures a seamless experience, allowing anyone in your company (cleaning, maintenance, check-in staff…) to participate with just 15 minutes available at the property. Simply follow the tour using the shareable URL, eliminating the possibility of getting lost in the process. Experience a convenient and efficient way to capture photos for verification purposes.
Before you start
1. GEOLOCATION
To ensure the authenticity of property information, we utilize geolocation during the Photo Tour process. This enables us to confirm that the photos are captured at the designated property and not elsewhere. Please note that physical presence at the property is required throughout the entire tour to complete the verification process successfully.
>On Android Phone: To enable GPS, go to Settings > Location > turn on the toggle switch for Location Services and ensure that High Accuracy is selected.
>On IPhone: To enable GPS, go to Settings > Privacy > Location Services > turn on the toggle switch for Location Services and give this page permission to access your location.
>On IPhone: To enable GPS, go to Settings > Privacy > Location Services > turn on the toggle switch for Location Services and give this page permission to access your location.
2. USE THE CORRECT URL!
Make sure you’re using either the button directly from Sustonica’s Dashboard Named “Start Property Tour” or share the correct link as displayed in the picture.
THE TOUR
Short Term Rental Labelling
Make sure your property is clearly labelled and it’s readable on the photos!
Labeling your short-term rental is essential for compliance with local regulations, providing transparency to guests, ensuring guest safety, establishing trust and credibility, and maintaining positive relationships with neighbors. By clearly labeling your rental, you demonstrate your commitment to operating legally, set appropriate guest expectations, enhance safety measures, build trust, and contribute to a harmonious community environment.
Wheelchair Accessibility
Please capture a photo of the meter positioned on the floor near the door to facilitate accurate measurements.
Having a wheelchair accessible short-term rental property is crucial for promoting inclusivity, meeting legal requirements, expanding your customer base, enhancing guest experiences, and contributing to social and environmental sustainability. It ensures equal access for individuals with disabilities, taps into a growing market segment, and fosters a more inclusive and diverse society while minimizing environmental impact through sustainable design and practices.
LED Lights
We need proof that 80% of your lights are LED. To take clear photos, the lights should be off, and you need to use your flash.
LED bulbs are energy-efficient, consuming significantly less electricity compared to traditional incandescent bulbs, resulting in lower energy consumption and reduced utility costs. Additionally, LED bulbs have a longer lifespan, reducing the frequency of replacements and associated waste. Their eco-friendly design also eliminates hazardous materials found in other types of bulbs. By adopting LED lighting, vacation rentals can minimize their environmental footprint, save energy, and contribute to a more sustainable and cost-effective operation.
Fridge
Please open the fridge and write the brand and model you see on the sticker. The sticker may be hidden behind the fruit & veg boxes.
Without the model number and clear fridge sticker photo, this point will be invalid!
Fridge energy efficiency is crucial for sustainability in vacation rentals as it directly impacts energy consumption and environmental impact. Energy-efficient fridges consume less electricity, reducing the carbon footprint associated with electricity generation. By choosing energy-efficient fridges, vacation rentals can minimize their energy consumption, lower utility costs, and contribute to a more sustainable future by conserving valuable resources and reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
Cooktop
The cooktop will almost always have the word “induction” on it. Else turn it on and if there are red heating elements then the cooktop is NOT induction.
Induction cooktops use electromagnetic technology to heat only the cookware, resulting in faster and more precise cooking while consuming less energy. They are highly efficient, converting nearly all the energy into heat, reducing waste and minimizing energy loss. By opting for induction cooktops, vacation rentals can lower their energy consumption, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and contribute to a more sustainable and eco-friendly cooking experience.
Recycling
Can you prove that you have at least four recycling bins available? Glass – Paper – Plastic – Organic
It promotes proper waste management and encourages guests to participate in recycling practices. By providing separate bins for different types of recyclable materials such as paper, plastic, glass, and metal, vacation rentals facilitate the sorting and recycling process. This reduces the amount of waste sent to landfills, conserves resources, and helps minimize environmental impact.
Paper Products
Recycled paper is generally brown and bamboo paper is white. The packs come in cardboard boxes or biodegradable plastic packaging.
By choosing recycled paper products, vacation rentals contribute to the conservation of forests and natural habitats by minimizing the demand for virgin wood pulp. Recycling paper reduces the energy, water, and chemical-intensive processes required to produce new paper, resulting in lower carbon emissions and water pollution. Additionally, providing recycled paper products encourages guests to adopt sustainable practices and supports the circular economy by closing the loop on paper waste.
Dishwasher
The Eco setting washes dishes at a lower temperature and uses less water.
The ECO setting utilizes efficient washing cycles that minimize water consumption and reduce energy usage, resulting in lower environmental impact. By using less water and energy, vacation rentals contribute to the preservation of natural resources and help mitigate climate change. Additionally, the ECO setting encourages guests to adopt sustainable habits by promoting responsible use of appliances and highlighting the importance of conservation.
Water Filter
Even if the tap water is safe to drink, many people will choose to buy bottled water, so we encourage you to have a water filter option available.
Offering water filtering in vacation rentals is important for sustainability as it helps reduce single-use plastic waste. By providing access to filtered water, guests are encouraged to refill their reusable bottles instead of purchasing bottled water, which significantly reduces the consumption of plastic bottles. This practice promotes environmental conservation by minimizing plastic waste generation and the associated carbon footprint. Additionally, water filtering systems help ensure clean and safe drinking water, enhancing the overall guest experience while supporting sustainable practices in vacation rentals.
Washing Machine
With the Eco setting, clothes are washed at a lower temperature and the machine uses less water.
The ECO setting uses less water and operates at lower temperatures, reducing both water consumption and energy usage during the laundry process. By encouraging guests to use the ECO setting, vacation rentals can contribute to a significant reduction in water and energy waste, minimizing the environmental impact associated with laundry activities. This sustainable practice aligns with the principles of eco-consciousness, resource efficiency, and responsible tourism, creating a more sustainable and environmentally-friendly experience for guests.
Drying clothes
Even if you have a dryer, a clothesline, or a clothes rack will encourage people not to use it.
By providing guests with an alternative to using electric dryers, such as a drying rack or clothesline, vacation rentals can minimize energy consumption and lower carbon emissions associated with drying clothes. Guests can air-dry their laundry, taking advantage of natural sunlight and air circulation. This sustainable practice not only reduces environmental impact but also encourages guests to adopt eco-friendly habits during their stay. Additionally, using a drying rack or clothesline helps preserve the quality of clothing and reduces the need for frequent washing, contributing to resource conservation and a more sustainable approach to laundry.
Microplastics
The cosmetics industry uses microplastic ingredients which is a major and irreversible contributor to the plastic pollution of our oceans. We will use the BTMB application to verify that your toiletries don’t have microplastic ingredients.
Microplastics are tiny plastic particles that can be found in many personal care products, including toiletries. When these products are used and washed down the drain, microplastics can end up in rivers, lakes, and oceans, causing harm to marine life and polluting water sources. By providing toiletries that are free from microplastics, vacation rentals can contribute to reducing plastic pollution and supporting cleaner water systems. This sustainable practice promotes responsible consumption and encourages guests to make eco-conscious choices, ultimately contributing to a healthier and more sustainable environment.
Cleaning Products
The product in the bottle must be 100% biodegradable, not just the container. We will be looking for an accepted eco-label.
Offering 100% biodegradable cleaning products in vacation rentals is important for sustainability as it minimizes the environmental impact of cleaning activities. Conventional cleaning products often contain harsh chemicals that can be harmful to ecosystems when they enter waterways or soil. In contrast, biodegradable cleaning products are designed to break down naturally, reducing their persistence in the environment and potential harm to wildlife and plants. By providing guests with biodegradable cleaning products, vacation rentals support responsible and eco-friendly practices, promoting a healthier and more sustainable living environment. This initiative contributes to reducing pollution, conserving natural resources, and fostering a greener approach to cleaning and housekeeping in vacation accommodations.
Shopping Bags
Offer these to your guests, so they don’t have to use single-use plastic bags.
By providing reusable alternatives, vacation rentals help minimize plastic waste and its negative environmental impacts, such as pollution and harm to wildlife. Reusable shopping bags and carts are durable, convenient, and can be used multiple times, reducing the need for disposable bags and promoting sustainable shopping practices. This initiative promotes conscious consumer behavior, fosters a greener mindset among guests, and contributes to the overall sustainability efforts in vacation rentals by reducing plastic waste and promoting eco-friendly alternatives.
Shower Head
To prove that the shower head is water efficient please unscrew it and check if you see a valve. If it is empty then the shower is NOT water efficient.
ater-efficient showerheads are designed to optimize water flow while minimizing water usage, allowing guests to enjoy a comfortable shower experience while using less water. By promoting water efficiency, vacation rentals contribute to sustainable practices, conserve water, and lower water bills. This initiative aligns with environmental conservation efforts, promotes responsible water usage, and contributes to the overall sustainability goals in vacation rentals.
Toiletries
The easy alternative is to use refillable containers for shampoo, conditioner and soap. You can also offer individual-sized bottles made from biodegradable plant-derived bioplastics (PLA).
By opting for refillable containers, vacation rentals can significantly reduce plastic waste and the environmental impact associated with single-use plastic bottles. Refillable options promote a circular economy, where containers can be refilled and reused multiple times, reducing the need for constant production and disposal of plastic packaging. Additionally, using biodegradable plant-derived bioplastics further enhances sustainability by ensuring that the packaging materials can break down naturally and minimize harm to the environment. This approach aligns with sustainable practices, reduces plastic pollution, and supports a more eco-friendly experience for guests in vacation rentals.
Toilet
By using dual-flush toilets, you can reduce the amount of water used for flushing, helping to conserve water resources.
Dual-flush toilets offer two flushing options, typically a full flush for solid waste and a reduced flush for liquid waste. By providing this option, guests can choose the appropriate flush based on their needs, resulting in significant water savings. Dual-flush toilets use less water overall compared to traditional toilets, which helps conserve water resources and reduce water consumption. This sustainable feature promotes water efficiency and contributes to environmental conservation efforts in vacation rentals.
Windows
Can you prove that all your windows are double or triple-glazed?
Please capture close-up photos of the windows from various angles, ensuring that the glazing is clearly visible.
Firstly, they provide better insulation, reducing heat loss during colder months and minimizing the need for excessive heating. This leads to energy savings and lower carbon emissions. Secondly, double or triple glazed windows offer improved sound insulation, creating a more peaceful and comfortable environment for guests. Additionally, these windows enhance the overall energy efficiency of the property, contributing to a reduced environmental impact and greater sustainability.
Window Screening
Is it possible to block the sun coming in through the living room windows? Take a photo of the outside screening method (Window films, Window shades, Awnings, Solar shading, External shutters,. Trees and Plants)
By effectively blocking or reducing the amount of direct sunlight entering the property, sun screening helps to regulate indoor temperatures and minimize the need for excessive air conditioning. This, in turn, reduces energy consumption and lowers carbon emissions. Additionally, sun screening protects furniture, flooring, and other interior elements from sun damage, extending their lifespan and reducing the need for frequent replacements. Overall, incorporating window sun screening methods promotes energy efficiency, reduces environmental impact, and enhances the comfort and durability of the vacation rental space.
Air-Conditioning
If you don’t offer air conditioning, you will drastically reduce energy consumption. Please confirm whether you have it or not, and we will check the information on your listing page.
By eliminating the use of air conditioning, significant reductions in energy consumption can be achieved, leading to lower carbon emissions and a more environmentally-friendly operation. This approach promotes energy conservation and contributes to mitigating climate change impacts. Additionally, not having air conditioning can also result in cost savings for both the property owner and the guests, making it an eco-friendly and economically sustainable choice.
Fans
If you have air conditioning, we recommend that you have fans to distribute the cool air more evenly and minimize the need for air conditioning.
Fans help to distribute cool air more evenly throughout the space, reducing the reliance on air conditioning and its associated energy consumption. By using fans to enhance air circulation, occupants can maintain a comfortable indoor environment with less reliance on energy-intensive cooling systems. This promotes energy efficiency, reduces carbon emissions, and contributes to a more sustainable operation of the rental property. Additionally, using fans alongside air conditioning can help to lower electricity costs, making it an economical and environmentally-friendly choice for both guests and property owners.
Local Art
Vacation rentals provide an exhibition opportunity for local artists. Include information that the artwork is local and how to contact the artist.
It supports the local community by providing exposure and opportunities for local artists to showcase their talent. By promoting local artists, vacation rentals contribute to the preservation and growth of the local arts and culture scene. Additionally, it creates a unique and authentic experience for guests, immersing them in the local culture and fostering a deeper connection with the destination. This sustainable practice encourages local economic development, fosters creativity, and enhances the overall guest experience.
Sustainability Chart
Can you demonstrate that you have a printed sustainability chart?
Listing all the things you do in terms of energy efficiency, waste reduction, water conservation, respect for the community and promoting the destination.
The chart serves as a visual representation of the property's efforts in energy efficiency, waste reduction, water conservation, community respect, and destination promotion. By showcasing these sustainable practices, it educates and informs guests about the property's dedication to minimizing its environmental footprint and contributing positively to the local community. The chart encourages guests to participate in sustainable behaviors during their stay, fostering a culture of conscious consumption and responsible tourism. Ultimately, this promotes a more sustainable and eco-friendly experience for guests, while inspiring them to carry these practices into their everyday lives.
EV Charger
Can you prove that you have an EV charging point?
Having an EV charger in a short-term rental property is important for sustainability as it supports the transition to electric transportation and reduces carbon emissions. By providing an EV charger, the property encourages guests who own electric vehicles to choose eco-friendly transportation options and helps to alleviate concerns about accessing charging infrastructure. This promotes sustainable mobility and reduces reliance on fossil fuel-powered vehicles. Additionally, offering an EV charger demonstrates the property's commitment to environmental stewardship, attracts environmentally conscious guests, and contributes to the overall advancement of sustainable practices in the travel industry.
Collecting Rainwater
Can you prove that you are collecting rainwater? Rain barrels, Cisterns, Green roofs, Rain gardens, Permeable pavement, French drains…
By utilizing rain barrels, cisterns, green roofs, rain gardens, permeable pavement, or French drains, the property can capture and store rainwater, which can then be used for various purposes such as irrigation, flushing toilets, or cleaning. This reduces the reliance on municipal water supply and lowers water consumption, contributing to overall water efficiency and conservation efforts. Implementing rainwater collection systems demonstrates the property's commitment to sustainable practices, minimizes environmental impact, and encourages guests to adopt water-saving behaviors during their stay.
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Sustonica S.L.
c/o Norrsken Barcelona
Pg del Mare Nostrum, 15
08039 Barcelona, España
VAT: ES-B72777139
info@sustonica.com
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