How do I check an inn’s heating, hot water and laundry set-up?

Start in the mechanical room. Note the age and make of each heating unit and water heater, then read the service records. Ask about breakdowns in cold weather, how long repairs took, and whether the system was sized for the number of rooms. Look for corrosion, leaks, patched pipes and unusual noises.

Hot water is easy to test. Ask to run several showers and taps at once, and ask how long guests wait for it on a full night. Then look at laundry. Is it done on site or by an outside service? How many machines are there, and can they keep up with turning rooms over on a busy weekend?

Record what looks tired and ask a heating contractor or plumber to estimate how long each system can run. The replacement list belongs in your discussions and your cash plan. Check the financial statements for repair costs, to see what the seller has been spending already. Ask what guests have said about temperature and water in their reviews, since complaints often show up before the equipment fails outright. Compare those comments with the maintenance records.

Key takeaways

• Run hot water in several rooms at once to test capacity.
• Read heating service records and ask about cold-weather breakdowns.
• Get a tradesperson’s view on which systems need replacing first.
• Compare guest reviews about warmth and water with maintenance records.