Cleaning Fee

[The-Petalstone-House0]

What is AirBnB's policy on cleaning fees? Our PMS informed us that if we wanted to improve our Listing score that we should consider adjusting our cleaning fee to 30% of the nightly rate. This seems to be ridiculously low and we only charge whatever the cleaners charge - we do not mark up Cleaning. What is everyone's policy as far as Cleaning fee is concerned? And do you pass this on to the guests or do you absorb the fee?  Would appreciate your feedback on this.

[Elaine701]

@The-Petalstone-House0 

Virtually all of your preparation costs are consumed in the first night(s) of a guest's stay. 

The "cleaning fee" is a practical way of covering your cleaning costs when you have short (1-3 night) stays.

But if you have say a 5 or 7+ night minimum stay, then there's really no need to have a cleaning fee. You can just build it into the nightly rate and forget about it.

Regarding the cleaning fee rate, it's not clear why your PMS would say that, other than to keep your overall price lower to be more competitive (they have every motivation to increase bookings), but unless you're desperate for bookings, I'd ignore it and keep your prices up.  The most problematic guests tend to search whatever is cheapest first. 

I hope that helps. 

[Mike-And-Jane0]

@Elaine701 I am not sure you are correct. It may be that @The-Petalstone-House0 's PMS knows how Airbnb's search algorithm works and feels that it damages those with large cleaning fees (which is a known peeve of Airbnb). As such incorporating it into the nightly rate might be the best thing to do.

Of course it also may just be a crude way to reduce rates!

[Snehal1]

I have changed the cleaning fees manually on our listings because following those algorithmic recommendations just isn't sustainable. Like you, we only charge exactly what our cleaners charge us—we don't treat cleaning as a profit center.