Question 1

What is CheckYout?

Accepted Answer

CheckYout is a check-out notification system for vacation rentals. When leaving, your guest simply scans the QR code or taps their phone on the NFC chip on the door sign – and you and your cleaning team are instantly notified via WhatsApp or email.

Question 2

Who is CheckYout for?

Accepted Answer

CheckYout is for all hosts who rent vacation apartments or houses and want to simplify their check-out communication. It is especially suited for hosts with 1–10 properties who don’t need an expensive property management system but still want to work professionally.

Question 3

Do I need technical knowledge?

Accepted Answer

No, not at all. You create an account, add your property and choose how you want to be notified. It takes about 5 minutes. The sign arrives pre-configured – just hang it up and get started.

Question 4

In which languages does CheckYout work?

Accepted Answer

The check-out page your guest sees automatically detects the phone’s language setting and switches between German and English. This ensures international guests feel right at home.

Question 5

Can I try CheckYout without a physical sign?

Accepted Answer

Yes. When you sign up you can create a virtual sign. You get a QR code to print or scan directly on your phone. All features are identical. For a more professional guest experience, there's also the wooden sign with NFC — optional and compatible with any plan.

Question 6

What can I see in the dashboard?

Accepted Answer

Current guest, cleaning status, door lock, heating, recent check-outs with delivery status, review click rate – all on one page. No app switching needed.

Question 7

What exactly is the check-out sign?

Accepted Answer

The sign is a high-quality, coated wooden sign with a printed QR code and an integrated NFC chip. It is typically hung on or next to the entrance door and includes a friendly farewell message along with brief instructions in German and English.

Question 8

Where should I hang the sign?

Accepted Answer

Ideally in a clearly visible spot near the entrance door, at about eye level. This way guests see it when leaving and can easily scan the QR code or NFC chip.

Question 9

What happens when a guest scans the code?

Accepted Answer

The guest is redirected to a short, friendly check-out page. With one click on the button they confirm the check-out. You and your cleaning team are immediately notified via your chosen channel. Optionally, the guest is then invited to leave a Google review.

Question 10

Does the guest need to install an app?

Accepted Answer

No. The entire process runs in the smartphone’s browser – no app, no download, no registration. Just scan and click.

Question 11

What if a guest scans accidentally or multiple times?

Accepted Answer

You receive a notification with a timestamp. This lets you track when the check-out was triggered. Duplicate scans are not a problem – you simply see another notification.

Question 12

What if the guest doesn’t check out?

Accepted Answer

CheckYout does not replace regular communication with your guest. It is an additional tool that simplifies the process. If a guest doesn’t scan, you can act as usual at the scheduled check-out time.

Question 13

Does NFC work with every smartphone?

Accepted Answer

NFC works with most modern Android smartphones and iPhones from model XS onwards (iOS 13+). Older devices can use the QR code instead – that’s why the sign always offers both options.

Question 14

Through which channels am I notified?

Accepted Answer

In the Free plan: WhatsApp and email. From Plus onwards, webhook is also available (for integration with Zapier, Slack or your own systems). You can use multiple channels simultaneously. WhatsApp supports up to 3 numbers at once – perfect for you and your cleaning team.

Question 15

How quickly does the notification arrive?

Accepted Answer

Within seconds. As soon as your guest confirms the check-out, the notification is sent immediately.

Question 16

Can I set up different teams for different properties?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Each property has its own notification settings. This lets you notify a different cleaning team for property A than for property B.

Question 17

Can I connect a WhatsApp group?

Accepted Answer

No, WhatsApp groups are not supported. CheckYout sends messages directly to individual phone numbers via the WhatsApp Business API. However, you can add up to 3 numbers per notification – so all relevant people are informed at the same time.

Question 18

How does the tado° heating control work?

Accepted Answer

If you have a tado° Smart Thermostat, you can connect it to CheckYout in the settings. As soon as a guest scans the check-out sign, the heating is automatically lowered to the setback temperature (e.g. 15°C). Before the next arrival – based on your Smoobu booking data – tado° heats back up to the comfort temperature in time. You set the temperatures and lead time yourself.

Question 19

How much can I save on heating costs with the tado° integration?

Accepted Answer

That depends on your property, the number of guest turnovers and the vacancy time. As a guideline: for a typical chalet with 8 turnovers per month and an average of 18 hours vacancy, reducing the temperature by 6°C can save about 120 kWh per month – approximately CHF 32. You can see the exact savings directly in your dashboard.

Question 20

Do I need a tado° thermostat?

Accepted Answer

Heating control is an optional feature. CheckYout works without tado° too – all core features like check-out notifications, Google reviews and reminders are available independently. But if you have or plan to get a tado° Smart Thermostat, you can easily connect it in the settings.

Question 21

Will my next guest arrive to a cold apartment?

Accepted Answer

No. You set how many hours before the next arrival the heating should warm back to the comfort temperature – for example 6 hours. CheckYout knows the next booking from Smoobu and starts heating automatically in time.

Question 22

Do I need Smoobu/Nuki/tado° to use CheckYout?

Accepted Answer

No. CheckYout works completely independently – guest scans, team gets notified. The integrations are optional add-ons that make the workflow even smarter.

Question 23

What does the Smoobu connection give me?

Accepted Answer

Your guests are greeted by first name on the check-out page. You also see upcoming check-outs and the heating can turn on automatically before the next arrival.

Question 24

How does cleaning tracking work?

Accepted Answer

If you have a Nuki Smart Lock with Keypad, you assign your cleaner’s access code in CheckYout. From then on, CheckYout automatically detects when they arrive and when they finish – without any extra steps on their part.

Question 25

Is my guest data stored?

Accepted Answer

No. CheckYout was designed to be privacy-friendly from the start. The guest clicks the check-out button anonymously – no personal data is collected. No email, no name, no registration.

Question 26

Is CheckYout GDPR-compliant?

Accepted Answer

Yes. All servers are located in the EU. Since no personal data is collected from guests, data protection is ensured by design.

Question 27

Where is my host data stored?

Accepted Answer

Your account data is stored on servers in the EU and protected to the highest security standards.

Question 28

How much does CheckYout cost?

Accepted Answer

CheckYout offers three plans: Free (CHF 0) with the essential features to get started, Plus (CHF 4.90/mo) with advanced features like webhook notifications, and Pro (CHF 9.90/mo) with all features including integrations. All prices include VAT.

Question 29

Is there a free trial?

Accepted Answer

CheckYout offers a permanently free Free plan. You can start right away and use all basic features – no credit card and no time limit. When you need more, you can upgrade to Plus or Pro at any time.

Question 30

Can I cancel anytime?

Accepted Answer

Yes. CheckYout can be cancelled monthly. No minimum contract period, no hidden costs.

Question 31

Can I upgrade or downgrade later?

Accepted Answer

Yes, you can change your plan at any time in your dashboard. The new price applies from the next billing period.

Question 32

How does the Google review feature work?

Accepted Answer

After check-out, your guest is kindly invited on the confirmation page to leave a Google review. The link leads directly to your Google Business profile. Since the guest has just had a positive departure experience, the likelihood of a 5-star review is particularly high.

Question 33

Do I need a Google Business profile?

Accepted Answer

For the automatic review invitation, yes. If you don’t have a profile yet, it’s worth creating one – it’s free and significantly improves your visibility on Google.

Frequently Asked Questions

General

The Sign

How It Works

Notifications

Integrations

Privacy & Security

Pricing & Plans

Google Reviews