STR SpecialistAn alternative could be to offer lower cleaning fees for shorter, 1-2 night stays, while maintaining your standard cleaning fee for longer bookings.
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Understanding Airbnb Cleaning Fees: A Comprehensive Guide - STR Specialist
While Airbnbâs cleaning fees might not be the most riveting dinner conversation topic (unless you lead a particularly adventurous lifestyle), they are indeed significant. Thatâs precisely why this article aims to provide you with an all-encompassing understanding of Airbnbâs cleaning fees and practical ways to leverage them effectively. Understanding the Airbnb Cleaning Fee Mechanism The cleaning fee on Airbnb is a one-time charge levied by hosts on each booking to manage cleaning expenses. This fee, incorporated into the total booking cost, is borne by the guest(s). Itâs important to note that this is not a refundable security deposit. Irrespective of the number of guests or the length of their stay, the standard cleaning fee remains constant; hosts cannot hike it for additional guests or nights. The cleaning fee assists hosts in covering the costs associated with preparing their listings for incoming guests. It might include: Cleaning supplies Washing and drying towels and linen Toilet paper Toiletries like shampoo, soap, etc. Cleaning services charges In the search results, guests view a nightly rate that factors in the cleaning fee divided by the total number of nights in their stay. As per Airbnbâs 2023 update, guests can now filter search results based on the total cost of the stay, inclusive of all fees but before taxes. By enabling the âdisplay total priceâ toggle before initiating a search, guests will see complete prices in search results, as well as on the map, filter, and listing pages. This ensures that the cleaning fee doesnât come as an unpleasant surprise to potential guests. Furthermore, prior to confirming their booking, guests can access a detailed price breakdown. This includes the nightly rate, cleaning fee, Airbnb service fee, discounts, and taxes. Airbnb prides itself on its transparency in this regard. Understanding the Typical Airbnb Cleaning Fee While the average cleaning fee for Airbnb falls roughly between $50 and $80, this number can be somewhat deceptive. Given the vast range of listings, from compact rooms in communal houses to grand mansions boasting 10+ rooms, pinpointing an exact average proves challenging. The most practical approach to identifying a feasible average is by examining the cleaning fees of similar listings in your vicinity and deriving an average from those data points. Determining Your Cleaning Fee for a House The cleaning fee you choose to charge is largely contingent on the competitiveness of your listingâs market. To ensure your listing attracts bookings, itâs essential that your cleaning fee, in conjunction with your nightly fee, is competitive. Hereâs how you can calculate an appropriate cleaning fee: Approach 1: Identify 10 â 20 listings in your area similar to yours. Record their cleaning fees. Keep note of their nightly fees too, as the cleaning fees contribute to the overall booking cost. Calculate the average cleaning fee of your competitors. Price your cleaning fee as competitively as possible while ensuring it covers all of your costs. If thereâs scope to cover all your costs and still earn a small profit (while maintaining competitiveness), factor this into your fee. Approach 2: Reach out to two or three cleaning services in your vicinity. Ask each for a quote for a complete changeover, including linen. Determine the average of these quotes and set this as your cleaning fee. Establishing Appropriate House Cleaning Rates As an Airbnb host, determining a fitting cleaning fee is crucial for your success. Itâs important to meticulously consider your pricing, as an exorbitant fee may escalate the cost for short stays and could deter potential bookings. Therefore, your fee should align with the nature of your property listing. If your property is pitched as luxurious, situated in a high-end locality, and carries a significant nightly rate, guests may be more accepting of a higher cleaning fee. However, if youâre listing a small studio apartment, charging the same cleaning fee as a host offering a five-bedroom mansion wouldnât be reasonable. Your fee should always reflect the value of your property and its services. Understanding What an Airbnb Cleaning Fee Covers The application of a cleaning fee is solely the hostâs decision and is intended to cover expenses related to tidying up the property for incoming guests. Though optional, this fee is generally used to finance the costs of cleaning supplies, laundering linens, hiring cleaning services, and replenishing amenities. Is a Cleaning Fee Mandatory? Whether to charge a cleaning fee is entirely the hostâs prerogative, but itâs worth mentioning that levying such a fee is a prevalent practice on Airbnb. Nevertheless, some hosts opt not to impose a separate cleaning fee, instead incorporating it into their total nightly price. In my opinion, it is not advisable to skip the cleaning fee as it may leave hosts financially strained, especially in the case of numerous short, 1-2 night stays. Can Airbnb Cleaning Fees Be Negotiated? While cleaning fees are automatically included when a guest books a property, it isnât rare for guests to contact a host prior to booking, seeking special discounts or waiving cleaning fees. In my personal experience, itâs generally best to steer clear of negotiating cleaning fees with guests on Airbnb, as such guests often turn out to be excessively particular and might prove to be more trouble than itâs worth. In response to requests for negotiation, I usually reply with something like: âHello, Thanks for your inquiry. Unfortunately, we canât reduce or eliminate the cleaning fee as itâs already set at the bare minimum to cover necessary costs. As much as Iâd like to offer a discount, itâs not feasible. If you have any other questions, please feel free to ask. Thank you, Rowan.â *Do note that cleaning fees are not automatically included in Special Offers. If youâre planning to make a special offer, remember to incorporate the cleaning fee in the total cost. Is the Airbnb Cleaning Fee Refundable? If a booking is canceled (regardless of the cancellation policy), the cleaning fee is fully refunded to the guest, provided the cancellation occurs before check-in time. However, if the cancellation takes place during a guestâs stay, the cleaning fee is not
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