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Original poster

If you book Airbnb or are a host... what do you think of the separate cleaning charge?

74 replies

Mmmkaay · 28/12/2023 21:00

Can you give me your opinions please? I'm trying to work out how best to price my property. If I allow a 2 night booking I only just break even after paying for the cleaning and laundry. I could therefore restrict it to 3 night bookings only, OR I could charge for 2 nights and add a separate cleaning fee on. What would you rather pay? Would it annoy you to pay for cleaning separately? Owners - what do you do?

Thanks!

OP posts:
Fundays12 · 28/12/2023 21:36

I don't use Air B&B now because of all the hidden fees. If they started showing them all upfront I would.

Mythnames · 28/12/2023 21:37

We use air b and b regularly and have always got good reviews…at the end of a stay i take out the bins, wipe down surfaces and sweep the floor. In one property we got an arsey private message from the owner saying that we were expected to sweep and wipe surfaces (we had, but there was sand on the floor, it wasn’t spotless as it was a beach holiday). I was so confused by this as we had to pay a cleaning fee - so I was thinking what on earth is that for?! Since then I’ve been really wary and feel that people should specify exactly what cleaning they expect to be done at the end of a stay 🙄.

Althenameshavegone · 28/12/2023 21:37

Hillsmakeyoustrong · 28/12/2023 21:21

Hi. I have a 2 bed airbnb and the cleaners who live locally are amazing and charge for it. They charge me £80 for the cleaning and £25 per bed so £50. When you include the welcome hamper it's £140 for each changeover. It's crucifying tbh. I don't charge cleaning in addition to my nightly fee of £115 (who'd pay £140!!) but as a result will only rent it out for a minimum of 4 nights. On top of mortgage, energy bills, water etc I don't make a profit and sometimes make a loss, I see it as a long term investment.

I’m maybe being thick here but if you aren’t even breaking even then how is it a long term investment? You’ve also got wear and tear of the property and fittings?

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Zimunya · 28/12/2023 21:39

I would prefer a cleaning fee to a long list of instructions as to how the property should be cleaned / left. Of course we will leave it clean and tidy - but some expect you to do a full service clean and take the rubbish with you. No thanks - I can stay at home and do that.

VisionsOfSplendour · 28/12/2023 21:39

Hillsmakeyoustrong · 28/12/2023 21:21

Hi. I have a 2 bed airbnb and the cleaners who live locally are amazing and charge for it. They charge me £80 for the cleaning and £25 per bed so £50. When you include the welcome hamper it's £140 for each changeover. It's crucifying tbh. I don't charge cleaning in addition to my nightly fee of £115 (who'd pay £140!!) but as a result will only rent it out for a minimum of 4 nights. On top of mortgage, energy bills, water etc I don't make a profit and sometimes make a loss, I see it as a long term investment.

Are you in the UK? How does it cost £80 to clean a 2 bed property?

Kwasi · 28/12/2023 21:44

Reasons I don't use AirBnB anymore:

  1. Cleaning fees are often charged per night rather than per stay, which isn't fair and whacks the total right up.

2 Stripping the beds before you leave. WTAF! It's a shit thing to ask guests to do.

  1. I stayed in a bit of a shit one last year. I left an honest but polite review about the large amount of mould around the bedroom window and how the water pressure was so low I couldn't rinse out my conditioner, leaving me with slimy hair for the duration of my stay. The review was never actually posted but I have no idea why. It was polite and not angry.
Hillsmakeyoustrong · 28/12/2023 21:50

It's a long term investment (pension pot as self employed) because whilst there are months where we make a loss, others we make a profit so it balances out. One day we will own the house outright and the mortgage will have been largely paid off by holiday guests.

It's in Devon and I pay £20 per hour, 4 hours, that includes house and small courtyard garden. The cleaner also put the bins out weekly and gathers the post.

I share because the associated costs of a holiday home are really high and so I get why some owners would want to charge separately.

Original poster
Mmmkaay · 28/12/2023 22:07

I pay £81 which is 3 hours cleaning at £13 ph, plus laundry change at £35, and a welcome pack at £7. The welcome pack isn't great tbh, but my cleaners are great and reliable so I don't say much. I'd make a lot more if I did the changeover but i don't live close enough/work full time.

OP posts:
Kwasi · 28/12/2023 22:13

Mmmkaay · 28/12/2023 22:07

I pay £81 which is 3 hours cleaning at £13 ph, plus laundry change at £35, and a welcome pack at £7. The welcome pack isn't great tbh, but my cleaners are great and reliable so I don't say much. I'd make a lot more if I did the changeover but i don't live close enough/work full time.

Imagine if hotels or places like Center Parcs added all of this to the bill. It's much better to include it in the price.

Original poster
Mmmkaay · 28/12/2023 22:16

Kwasi · 28/12/2023 22:13

Imagine if hotels or places like Center Parcs added all of this to the bill. It's much better to include it in the price.

Show quote history

Yep that's a good point. I think you're probably right, people expect to have cleaning included. I just need to up my base rate per night to make sure I don't come out at a loss.

OP posts:
Hillsmakeyoustrong · 28/12/2023 22:17

I hear you on the welcome hamper and not saying anything. When you find someone who is reliable and has high standards, you should choose your battles. Tbh I think it should only take 3 hours to clean the house but the fact that she puts the bins out on a separate day every week and keeps on top of the garden means I don't really mind. I know 4 nights is quite a high minimum stay but I've always remembered the rule, don't be a busy fool.

Ratfinkstinkypink · 28/12/2023 22:18

Lizzieregina · 28/12/2023 21:04

I’m disillusioned with Airbnb and all the extra fees, so I’d want to know the cost at first glance, not after a bunch of add ons.

This. I don't book Airbnb any more because of all the extra charges, I want to see what I am paying up front.

Hoglet70 · 28/12/2023 22:20

Just include it in the price. I leave everywhere spotless (I also leave hotel rooms spotless, I am just weird) and it bugs me. I added DS on to a booking a few months ago and they stuck another £30 on for cleaning - the only difference was changing the duvet on the bed settee he slept on. Just charge me and cover the cleaning in the first place (I do appreciate some people leave the place a tip and you have to charge 'in case' but don't present a bargain to me and then slap £100 on afterwards).

YireosDodeAver · 28/12/2023 22:23

I dislike a cleaning fee because I leave no mess and I usually strip the beds if I am not in a hurry and I can't think it would take more than an hour to whizz through anf get the place ready for the next guests, but I know the cleaning fee is priced assuming it is left in an awful mess. I would rather you have a 3 day minimum.

EasterIssland · 28/12/2023 22:24

I tend to look at the final cost and if I’m happy to pay it rather than what additional costs are being added. So I don’t care so much about the cleaning fee if the overall price is within budget

Kwasi · 28/12/2023 22:24

Definitely charge more and include the fees in the rate. Don't make guests strip the beds either 😂

justasking111 · 28/12/2023 22:26

Hoglet70 · 28/12/2023 22:20

Just include it in the price. I leave everywhere spotless (I also leave hotel rooms spotless, I am just weird) and it bugs me. I added DS on to a booking a few months ago and they stuck another £30 on for cleaning - the only difference was changing the duvet on the bed settee he slept on. Just charge me and cover the cleaning in the first place (I do appreciate some people leave the place a tip and you have to charge 'in case' but don't present a bargain to me and then slap £100 on afterwards).

You maybe leave everything spotless. The cleaning fee to the host won't be reduced though.

GladTidyings · 28/12/2023 22:27

ive stopped using air BnB because of the extra cleaning charge. When I’m booking on a budget I expect to know exactly what I’m paying, not to be stung with another 200 quid on top. Or the horrible ‘security deposit’.
i always leave places immaculate anyway . Hosts should look at potential guests with good reviews and just rent uk those if they’re worried about damage etc.
of increase fees but whatever you do, be transparent please.
it can make for bad feelings and put a sour note on the holiday

justasking111 · 28/12/2023 22:29

Kwasi · 28/12/2023 22:24

Definitely charge more and include the fees in the rate. Don't make guests strip the beds either 😂

That's a weird one that took off during covid. Then you had to be out earlier, strip bedding put it in black bin bags. Open all the windows leave the property empty for two hours before the cleaners could enter.

Redlarge · 28/12/2023 22:30

Its why i won't use them. Cheaper to get a hotel half the time.

Kwasi · 28/12/2023 22:33

@justasking111 I didn't realise it was a covid thing. I don't mind taking the bins out (although I'd rather not) but stripping the beds just takes the pee.

Hairychristmas · 28/12/2023 22:35

I've never used airbnb as I think the pricing system is a con. Could you use Sykes or cottages.com instead?

kimberl83 · 28/12/2023 22:36

We hate the additional fee ONLY because when we go to air bnbs we make sure it's spotless when we leave. We always bring cleaning products and buy some when we are there so for that reason we hate the additional charge but it's a tricky one because I don't know if that's the case for everyone who stays in an air bnb. There would be a cause for additional costs for those who don't clean. I also think that some people who WOULD have cleaned, after paying the additional cost think OK you can do it now. I've probably not helped you with my words of wisdom in the slightest 🤣🤣 sorry.

KievLoverTwo · 28/12/2023 22:37

I would prefer a three night minimum than seeing a cleaning fee. Like others, I clean as I go, so it would be left fairly spotless. I appreciate loos and floors need cleaning etc... Idk what it's like in the UK, but some of the cleaning fee stories I read coming out of America makes my eyes water.

Or just price the cleaning fee in and make it clear there are no surprise extras.

justasking111 · 28/12/2023 22:39

kimberl83 · 28/12/2023 22:36

We hate the additional fee ONLY because when we go to air bnbs we make sure it's spotless when we leave. We always bring cleaning products and buy some when we are there so for that reason we hate the additional charge but it's a tricky one because I don't know if that's the case for everyone who stays in an air bnb. There would be a cause for additional costs for those who don't clean. I also think that some people who WOULD have cleaned, after paying the additional cost think OK you can do it now. I've probably not helped you with my words of wisdom in the slightest 🤣🤣 sorry.

The cleaners thank you 😂 but still charge the owner the same.

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