Free template
Lost property log for hotels
Short answer
A lost property log records every item found in the hotel: a reference number, date, room or place, a short description, who found it, where it is stored, and how and when it was returned or disposed of. One line per item makes guest enquiries quick and shows the hotel handled each item properly.
Written by the founder of Oste, who is building it with ten founding hotels. Reviewed by the founder. Last updated: . First published: .
Key facts
- One line per item, with a reference number on the item’s bag.
- Describe the item without opening wallets or reading phones.
- Valuables go to a locked place, signed for.
- Record how and when each item left: returned, collected or disposed of.
- Keep guest contact details only as long as needed.
The template
| Ref | Date found | Room or place | Item | Found by | Stored at | Guest contacted | Returned or disposed (date, how) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| L-001 | 2026-10-17 | Room 214 | Example: black phone charger | Example: Elena | Shelf B | Yes, by email | Posted 2026-10-19 |
What is a good lost property process?
- Bag the item, write the reference number on the bag and on the log.
- Describe it plainly; do not open wallets or unlock phones.
- Store valuables in a locked place and sign for them.
- If the guest is known, contact them once, through the hotel’s channel.
- Record how the item left, or when and how it was disposed of.
How long should a hotel keep found items?
It depends on the country and the item. Many hotels set a house rule, for example three months for ordinary items and longer for valuables and documents, and hand items to the local lost property office where the law requires it. Check the rules where you are; this is general information, not legal advice.
What about guest data?
The log holds personal data when a guest is linked to an item. Keep only what you need to return it, restrict who can read the log, and delete the contact details once the item is gone.
Questions people ask
Is the lost property log free?
Yes. Print it or download the CSV; there is nothing to sign up for.
Should we post items back at our cost?
That is a house decision. Many hotels ask the guest to pay postage and record the tracking number in the log.
Does Oste have a lost property log?
Not as a fixed feature. With Studio, a manager can describe one and it is built on the hotel’s data; Studio is in early access.
Read next
Oste is in build
Where to next?
This is the paper version. A free lost and found log for hotels: what was found, where, by whom, where it is stored, and how it was returned. Printable and as CSV.
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