How do I add an Extra linen/towels charge?

[Mark16]

Here in New Zealand, our baches (holiday homes) don't normally include linen/towels in the quote - there is usually an extra charge for this. I can't see how to add that on the site listing.

Can anyone help?

[David3711]

I'd increase the rental.

[Jennifer100]

I was able to find decent queen sized sheets on Amazon for $20, bath towels at IKEA for $3, and washclothes for .25 at Costco. I bought 15 sets so the rush for laundry isn't too bad and I'm writing these expenses off from my taxes.

[Cathy4]

We travelled New Zealand, and coming from the UK, there was no way we were bringing our own bed linens! We simply ruled out anywhere that didn't provide linen. When we travel in Europe, we go with cabin luggage only - not much room for knees there either! As a host, I provide all linens. Wouldn't dream of not doing so 🙂 

[Jeanie3]

I understand as our listing in NZ too.  Traditionally when booking a bach/crib for the holidays, the guests would take their own linen  and do the clean up at the end as well so ready for other guests and most kiwi's find this entirely normal.  We decided to supply linen (sheets, towels, t-towels) and have a 'cleaning fee' of $30 per stay that covers the cost of linen and laundry.  Fortunately I have someone who can do the laundry and make up the beds for me.  However we do require that guests clean the house before they leave.  We have been reasonably specific about this in the house rules on the listing and I always message all booking inquires to double check that they agree to this house rule and understand it. (Which can be a bit frustrating with the airbnb 24 hours before a booking inquiry expires and you are still waiting to get a response from the guest that they are agreeable to the rule before you accept their booking).  If we were to include cleaning it would probably add another $120+ to the cleaning fee as we would need to hire someone to do this.  So far the response from people has been fine.  The house has been left in a satisfactory condition each time (when we stay ourselves about 3 times a year I give it a complete scrub out) though no doubt it isn't as clean as I would leave it and I think it affects the ratings sometime for cleanliness (when guests are actually rating the previous occupants not us!).  

[Graham-And-Michelle0]

This is not " bookabach" but Airbnb and sheets, towels are essential. Most of our guests are short term guests from over seas and are not going to be carrying bed linens and towels with them.

we have stayed in a wide range of homes both here and in Europe and never was there a suggestion of not supplying these items.

[Cheryl86]

If a family books for 4 people, 2 adults and 2 kids..I have on problem suppling linen and towels for them, but they used the other 2 queen beds as well, so extra washing. Do you think in the future its ok to put a fee on extra linen used???

[Richard322]

I'm also a Kiwi host. I've been reading this ongoing debate with great interest because we are newbies and after having a problem with people not arriving with linen and just sleeping on or under our duvets etc, we decided to introduce a non-optional one-off linen & towels charge of $20 per guest. 

As we now know there is no option on Airhnb to display this except in the description. One adviser suggested sending a message to the booker asking for an extra payment. I've just done this tonight and immediately lost a booking from three Canadians! The booker said the charge should have been included in the tarriff and that was that!

But it's a one-off - if they are staying more than one night, how do you charge it in the booking payment?

Incidentally, i do not have this problem on other unmentionable sites that we use.

It looks like we will have no choice but to increase our tarriff to cover the linen and laudnering cost and time.

[Dennis51]

As a host in California, I always provide towels and linens.  As a world traveller and frequent Airbnb guest, I can say that I would not knowingly make a reservation anywhere without towels and linens.  Do you take your own linens and towels with you on vacation?  How do you know which size to take?  No, no - just include the price of providing them in your listing.  Offer a discount via refund to anyone who brings their own, if you wish.  That would work easily.

[Dennis51]

I never think of taking linens and towels on a trip.  I think that the cost should be included in your listing price, that's what I do with my listing.

[Dey0]

I cannot believe towels and linens are not provided and you want to charge for them. That's just ridiculous. Why do you have it on airbnb then? people is not traveling with extra sheets and towels, no one in their right mind would do that. I would never book a place without towels and linens and if you are going to, then you have to explicitly say in the details that you are not providing these items WITH BOLD CAPITAL LETTERS and/or that you will charge additional fee for this. 

This is the problem with airbnb, it doesn't have standards on what is the minimum you as a hosts are supposed to provide.

[Darren39]

Then don't stay at those places! YOU have a choice just as the host has a choice to supply it or not!!

[Dave244]

Maybe we arent interested in overseas guests and rely on those nearby for short stays that can bring their own.  If you were expecting to get OS visitors then yes you need linen.  No brainer.  It needs the option of yes or no so its clear

[Cathy172]

@Mark16 Interesting to know other locales do not customarily provide sheets and towels. I'm on Cape Cod and that has been the norm for ages. But it's a new world out there! My guests come from all over and I could not even dream of having them figure out where to get sheets from!! I know some Airbnb's in my neck of the woods are still "old school", but I don't get it!!

[Jonathan390]

I don't understand the animosity on this thread towards people who want to charge for linens. It really depends on the circumstances. You can't just say "It's Airbnb". I rent out my house in France on Airbnb as a weekly rental. Most of my customers are French. It's normal in France for people to drive from home & bring their own linens. While I'm happy to provide linens, I have to pay someone to collect & wash them and because it's a big house with lots of beds, it costs me 150 euros a time to do so. It makes much more sense for me to add that as an extra charge for the minority of people who don't want to bring their linens. 

[Roxi2]

I have offered a discount for bringing your own linens and  my rentals have accepted the discount of £10 per person. I wish this were an option to tick a box on the website so I dont have to give them a discount and change the price. I prefer to give £20 discount than to have to make all beds and wash and iron sheets and towels. Andy my guests prefer to save money.

Of course those who come from far away prefer to use my linens