Host has laundry listed as an amenity. Yet, is charging $7 per load?

[Andrew2298]

This is probably allowed per AirBnB policy. I was just surprised that after staying in over a dozen AirBnBs, I've never had one (that listed laundry as an amenity) lock the laundry room and post a sign saying there's a charge to gain entry. It is not explained anywhere in the post that there's a charge.

I've messaged the host and explained I only had a small batch of laundry I would like to do; but, was told it would still cost me. 

I know it's only $7; but, I'm kinda surprised this wasn't explained in the ad. I'm a single dude with a couple pair of shorts, a few shirts, and my intimates. I wash on cold/cold always and brought my own HE compliant detergent. So, it's not even a medium load and I'm not using the water heater. 

Just not sure why, after the amount I'm paying for my room, I should have to pay for an amenity that's listed in the post with nothing in the explanation that suggests I have to pay even more for laundry.

Again, if this is common then I guess I got lucky over the last year and a half. But, I've never encountered this. 

[Benjamin836]

I don’t charge any laundry fees. Host should update the listing and not have any hidden fees when staying.

[Andrew2298]

I'll be sure to point this out in my review. Don't get me wrong, the place is nice otherwise and this issue isn't big enough to warrant a less than 5 star rating. I'm just not a fan of this miscommunication on their end. When I travel, I look for laundry and cookware. Those are two things that are important to me. 

Again, everything else is great. There was a small maintenance issue and they resolved it quickly, the space is nice, the host allowed me an early check-in, and the guests are quiet. So, this will still get a high rating. But, I just wish they advertised the fee on the post. Kinda feels deceitful. 

[Sarah977]

@Andrew2298  Did you look on the full amenities list? There is a box for hosts to check for things like washing machine, or parking that says "free or for a fee".

If no mention was made anywhere in the listing info, (amenities, house rules or descrition sections) then the host is remiss- springing charges on guests after arrival, isn't allowed. 

[Andrew2298]

Never being a host myself, I'm not sure what is or is not allowed. I'm not going to contact support about this as literally everything else is going well. When I leave my review, I'll be sure to mention that (at least during my stay) there was a charge. Otherwise, they'll get a great review as they have been accommodating with everything else. I just wish they would give me the laundry room door code as part of my stay given how few items I want washed and I wish they would update their listing to include this. 

[Colleen253]

@Andrew2298 Can you link to the listing? Definitely mention it in the review, as it's information that should be shared. You can also private feedback to the host that you read the listing thoroughly and didn't see this amenity noted as limited, and that they should update the listing.

[Colleen253]

@Andrew2298 There should be a mention of it somewhere  on the listing, but Airbnb is not stellar at making the info on our listings easy to find for guests. It could be there, but you just missed it, which is easy. If there is no mention, then the host is wrong to restrict/charge.

I list laundry as an amenity but with limitions for the washer, due to our elderly septic system. I have acknowledged that in 'amenities limitations', but it's well hidden on the listing. It's at the very bottom of the listing, under 'Things to know', then 'Health and Safety', then you have to click 'show more' to see it. I also acknowledge this limitation in 'house rules', which are also fairly well hidden by Airbnb. It used to be that amenities like laundry were listed as 'free or for a fee', but it looks like they removed that. That's Airbnb for you, always striving to make things harder for everyone 🙄

[Andrew2298]

It must have been an oversight on their end because I'm not seeing anything like that after scouring through the listing. 

[Sarah977]

@Andrew2298  Since you say you have no complaints about this place or the host otherwise, perhaps you could consider messaging the host and just nicely pointing out that you read really thoroughly through the listing, and even double-checked to make sure you hadn't missed it, and that there is no mention of a charge to use the washer. That maybe they thought they had written that, but that it doesn't appear anywhere and that guests need to be advised in the listing of any extra charges so they are prepared for that. In other words, as you said, it was perhaps just an oversight on their part, as they seem to be good about other things.

If you do that, and by the time you leave and are ready to write the review, you see they still haven't added it to the listing, then I'd mention it in the review. If it was just an oversight and they add it, I'd leave it out of the review, if it were me.

It's like if a guest forgets to take off their shoes at the door if that is requested, and tracks mud across the floor - if the host points that out during the stay and the guest says, oh, sorry, and cleans the floor, as a host, I wouldn't mention it in a review- they made a mistake, but they made good on it.

A lot of times, when a host has an extra charge for something, it's because past guests have abused the free use of something. Like a guest who arrives with 2 weeks worth of dirty laundry and proceeds to do 4 loads of wash the first day of their booking, or fires up the machine on full load to wash one t shirt, a pair of socks and a pair of shorts.

[Robin4]

@Andrew2298 

My thoughts on this, if you are going to charge for something you must make mention of that charge in the listing description.

If you don't the whole platform opens itself up to abuse. The guest arrives and finds out.....

'Oh incidentally although there is electricity available at the property there is a $9 per day charge for the use of electricity'

'Toilet paper is of course on hand but there is a charge per roll'.

'Bath towel use is restricted to one per person, there is a $2 per towel charge for additional towels'!

This is just not on and Andrew, I don't care how good the host may have been they need to be advised in 'private comments' that this undeclared laundry charge was a stain on what was otherwise a good experience. Back door charges do not make a host look good, and the host needs to be a bit more upfront about what is actually on offer.

I wouldn't make a big deal of it in the review, there is not much you can say without being too pointed....'beware of hidden charges', 'disappointed about the extra costs' ......it starts to make you look like a disgruntled bargain hunter, and you don't want to convey that perception.

I provide a washing machine in the guest cottage and laundry aids but I find that only one guest in 25 would actually use it, it is simply not a prudent option to whack that odd guest that does want to use it with a charge.

Just tell the host you were disappointed....that will get your message across loud and clear!  

Cheers........Rob

[Fred13]

The host could (or should) remove the sign, lock the room and do not even mention laundry - end of issue or possible confusion. They probably have found that the whole laundry-washing scene is way too expensive and tried setting up 'something' that may work; it didn't.

I love adding features to my hosting, and equally love eliminating any that prove to be a hassle. 

Oftentimes, offering less is 'more'.