Private host report HS-9002, a sample

Tussock House

Sample host report, location redacted

4/5
The same score guests see on your public report
Stayed
13–14 July 2026
Auditors
Two, one night
Fixes recommended
10, 1 high priority
Areas assessed
7
Measurements taken
20

Overall assessment

Tussock House is in excellent condition and already outperforms most family listings we audit: it is spotless, the beds are presented to hotel standard, and the family equipment is a genuine selling point you should lead with in your listing photos and title.

The gap between a 4 and a 5 here is comfort at the edges of the day: cold back bedrooms on winter mornings, light through the blinds at dawn, and slower Wi-Fi at the back of the house. All three are inexpensive to fix and are exactly the things guests mention in four-star reviews. The front-step handrail is the one item we'd treat as urgent, because it's a safety issue on frosty mornings.

Your action plan

Every fix we recommend, highest priority first.

  1. The four timber sleeper steps to the front door have no handrail and were slippery with frost at 7 am
    Arrival and check-in
    Install a galvanised or timber handrail on one side and add anti-slip strips to each tread
    High $350–$600 installed
  2. There is no colander or measuring cups, and the knives are blunt
    Kitchen
    Add a colander, measuring cups and spoons, and a knife sharpener, or replace the chef's knife. Keep a kitchen inventory list in the drawer for cleaners
    Medium $60–$120
  3. Bedrooms 2, 3 and 4 have no heating; Bedroom 4 was 14 °C at 6 am
    Bedrooms and sleep
    Install a slimline oil-filled or panel heater with a timer in each room, or a small split system in Bedroom 2
    Medium $300–$500 for three panel heaters
  4. Bedroom blinds let in light from about 6:30 am
    Bedrooms and sleep
    Fit blockout roller blinds behind the existing ones, starting with Bedrooms 3 and 4
    Medium $90–$150 per window
  5. The main bathroom extractor fan is noticeably noisy, measured at about 68 dB, and may be nearing the end of its life
    Bathrooms
    Replace with a quiet-rated fan; a licensed electrician can do it in under an hour. It still works, so this can wait for the next maintenance visit
    Medium $60–$150 plus labour
  6. Wi-Fi drops to 7–14 Mbps in the back bedrooms
    Wi-Fi, laundry and families
    Add a mesh Wi-Fi point in the hallway near Bedrooms 2–4
    Medium $150–$300
  7. Evening lighting is downlights only, which makes the living area feel flat and bright after dark
    Living and dining
    Add two floor lamps and a table lamp with warm (2700K) bulbs on smart plugs set to come on at dusk
    Low $150–$250
  8. The corner seat of the L-shaped sofa has softened noticeably
    Living and dining
    Replace the corner cushion inserts with high-density foam, or add a firm seat pad in the short term
    Low $120–$200
  9. There is no outdoor table or shade, so the deck is used for the BBQ but not for eating
    Outdoors
    Add an eight-seat outdoor setting and a large market umbrella or shade sail before the summer season
    Low $600–$1,200
  10. The side paths are dark after about 5:15 pm in winter
    Outdoors
    Add solar path lights or a sensor light on the side of the house
    Low $80–$150

Scores by area

Areas scoring three or less are where the quickest review gains are.

Arrival and check-in
Living and dining
Kitchen
Bedrooms and sleep
Bathrooms
Outdoors
Wi-Fi, laundry and families

Room by room

The full detail behind every score: condition checks, measurements, what guests will read, and what we recommend.

Arrival and check-in

Measured
Check-in message received 40 hours before arrivalKeypad entry: under 2 minutes with bagsFront steps: 4 timber sleepers, no rail
Condition check
ItemConditionNote
Check-in instructionsExcellentOne clear message, sent early
Keypad lockExcellentWorked first time
ParkingExcellentDouble garage plus driveway
Front stepsFairNo handrail; slippery when frosty
Exterior lightingFairSide paths dark after 5:15 pm in winter
What we recommend
The issue
The four timber sleeper steps to the front door have no handrail and were slippery with frost at 7 am
Why it matters
This is the only safety concern in the property, and families with small children and older guests are your core market. A slip here is also the kind of incident that leads to a one-star review
Recommended fix
Install a galvanised or timber handrail on one side and add anti-slip strips to each tread
Likely cost
$350–$600 installed
Priority
High
What guests read
Check-in details arrived 40 hours before our stay in one clear message, and the keypad lock worked first time. Worth knowing: the front door is up four timber sleeper steps with no handrail, and they were slippery on our frosty morning.

“We nearly skipped this note because everything else about arrival was so smooth, but the steps were genuinely icy at 7 am.”Your auditor's personal observation

Living and dining

Measured
Heat pump: 12 °C to 21 °C in 25 minutesOutside temperature: −3 °CDining seats: 10
Condition check
ItemConditionNote
SofaFairCorner seat has softened
HeatingExcellentHeat pump warms the room quickly
TV and streamingExcellentSmart TV, logged out of apps
LightingFairDownlights only in the evening
Dining tableExcellentSeats ten
What we recommend
The issue
Evening lighting is downlights only, which makes the living area feel flat and bright after dark
Why it matters
Warm, layered lighting is one of the cheapest ways to lift how a room photographs and feels; guests describe it as "cosy"
Recommended fix
Add two floor lamps and a table lamp with warm (2700K) bulbs on smart plugs set to come on at dusk
Likely cost
$150–$250
Priority
Low
The issue
The corner seat of the L-shaped sofa has softened noticeably
Why it matters
It is the most-used seat and the first to show in reviews as "tired"
Recommended fix
Replace the corner cushion inserts with high-density foam, or add a firm seat pad in the short term
Likely cost
$120–$200
Priority
Low
What guests read
Bright, open-plan living with a large L-shaped sofa, a smart TV and a heat pump that took the room from 12 °C to 21 °C in 25 minutes on a −3 °C night. Worth knowing: the sofa corner has softened with use, and evening lighting is downlights only.

Kitchen

Measured
Fridge: 3.8 °CCrockery and glassware: settings for 10Island seating: 4
Condition check
ItemConditionNote
CleanlinessExcellentSpotless
AppliancesExcellentOven, gas cooktop, dishwasher all tested
FridgeExcellentHolding 3.8 °C
UtensilsFairNo colander or measuring cups; knives blunt
CoffeeGoodPod machine only
What we recommend
The issue
There is no colander or measuring cups, and the knives are blunt
Why it matters
Families cook at home, and missing basics are noticed every single stay
Recommended fix
Add a colander, measuring cups and spoons, and a knife sharpener, or replace the chef's knife. Keep a kitchen inventory list in the drawer for cleaners
Likely cost
$60–$120
Priority
Medium
What guests read
Modern and very clean, with a stone island seating four, a gas cooktop, oven, dishwasher and a French-door fridge holding 3.8 °C. Worth knowing: bring a favourite sharp knife; we couldn't find a colander or measuring cups, and coffee is by pod machine.

“Cooking dinner for two adults took longer than it should have because we kept hunting for basics.”Your auditor's personal observation

Bedrooms and sleep

Measured
Master at 11 pm: 28 dBBedroom 4 at 6 am: 14 °CMaster at 6 am: 19 °C
Condition check
ItemConditionNote
Linen and presentationExcellentBoutique-hotel standard
MattressesGoodGood support in master and Bedroom 2
BlackoutFairBlinds let in morning light
Heating, Bedrooms 2–4FairNo heaters of their own
Cot and baby gearExcellentPortable cot in Bedroom 3
What we recommend
The issue
Bedrooms 2, 3 and 4 have no heating; Bedroom 4 was 14 °C at 6 am
Why it matters
In winter this is the most likely cause of a four-star review from families, because children sleep in the smaller rooms
Recommended fix
Install a slimline oil-filled or panel heater with a timer in each room, or a small split system in Bedroom 2
Likely cost
$300–$500 for three panel heaters
Priority
Medium
The issue
Bedroom blinds let in light from about 6:30 am
Why it matters
Early waking is a common complaint from families with young children
Recommended fix
Fit blockout roller blinds behind the existing ones, starting with Bedrooms 3 and 4
Likely cost
$90–$150 per window
Priority
Medium
What guests read
Beds made like a boutique hotel, with crisp white cotton and good mattresses. The master has its own heat pump and ensuite and was the quietest room. Worth knowing: the blinds let in morning light, and Bedrooms 2 to 4 have no heaters of their own.

“The beds were the best we have slept in on an audit this year. Fix the light and the cold and this room set is a five.”Your auditor's personal observation

Bathrooms

Measured
Main shower: 10 L/minEnsuite hot water: 18 secondsExtractor fan, main bathroom: about 68 dB
Condition check
ItemConditionNote
CleanlinessExcellentSpotless
Water pressureExcellentStrong in the main shower
Hot water capacityExcellentHeld up through two back-to-back showers
Extractor fanFairNoisy, about 68 dB
Ensuite showerFairCompact older-style cabinet
What we recommend
The issue
The main bathroom extractor fan is noticeably noisy, measured at about 68 dB, and may be nearing the end of its life
Why it matters
Bathroom noise is one of the most commonly mentioned minor annoyances in short-stay reviews; guests notice it even when they don't complain directly
Recommended fix
Replace with a quiet-rated fan; a licensed electrician can do it in under an hour. It still works, so this can wait for the next maintenance visit
Likely cost
$60–$150 plus labour
Priority
Medium
What guests read
Three toilets and two showers. The main bathroom has a tiled bath, a strong separate shower and a heated towel rail; the ensuite ran hot in 18 seconds. Worth knowing: the ensuite shower is a compact, older-style corner cabinet.

Outdoors

Measured
Side paths dark from about 5:15 pm (July)BBQ: 4 burners, gas bottle full
Condition check
ItemConditionNote
DeckExcellentClean and solid
BBQExcellentClean, full gas bottle
Outdoor diningPoorNo table or chairs
ShadePoorNone
FencingExcellentFully fenced yard
What we recommend
The issue
There is no outdoor table or shade, so the deck is used for the BBQ but not for eating
Why it matters
Outdoor dining with a view is a top search filter in summer and photographs very well
Recommended fix
Add an eight-seat outdoor setting and a large market umbrella or shade sail before the summer season
Likely cost
$600–$1,200
Priority
Low
The issue
The side paths are dark after about 5:15 pm in winter
Why it matters
Guests bringing bins out or arriving late can't see the path
Recommended fix
Add solar path lights or a sensor light on the side of the house
Likely cost
$80–$150
Priority
Low
What guests read
A timber deck with a clean four-burner gas BBQ and a hanging egg chair, and a fenced lawn backing onto a reserve with a view to the mountains. Worth knowing: there is no outdoor dining table or shade yet, and the side paths are dark after about 5:15 pm in winter.

“The view across the reserve to the mountains is the best photo this property has. It deserves to be the first image in your listing.”Your auditor's personal observation

Wi-Fi, laundry and families

Measured
Wi-Fi, living area: 64 MbpsWi-Fi, back bedrooms: 7–14 MbpsWasher and dryer: near new
Condition check
ItemConditionNote
Wi-Fi, living areaExcellent64 Mbps
Wi-Fi, back bedroomsFair7–14 Mbps
LaundryExcellentNear-new washer and dryer
Family equipmentExcellentHigh chair, cot, kids' table, bath
Cleanliness overallExcellentAs clean as any home we have audited
What we recommend
The issue
Wi-Fi drops to 7–14 Mbps in the back bedrooms
Why it matters
Remote workers and teenagers streaming in their rooms notice, and "Wi-Fi was patchy" is a common review line
Recommended fix
Add a mesh Wi-Fi point in the hallway near Bedrooms 2–4
Likely cost
$150–$300
Priority
Medium
What guests read
Wi-Fi is fast in the living area at 64 Mbps and slower in the back bedrooms at 7 to 14 Mbps. One of the most family-ready homes we have audited.

“Lead with the family equipment in your listing title. Very few homes in this area offer a cot, high chair and fenced yard together.”Your auditor's personal observation

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Hearthstone audit report HS-9002. This host report is for the property owner's private use. Please don't share it publicly or with guests; your guest report is the version to share.