Extra Fees : Cleaning/Service.

[Simon3254]

Looking for an Airbnb for the first time, and am dismayed to see how the hosts add on these extra fees on top of their prices.

[Paul1255]

@Simon3254  Hope you’re well!

Some hosts have them listed as a separate fee that you can easily see, others add in their cleaning service cost to their nightly rate (hotel-style) either way it’s a cost that the guest is paying.

[Mike-And-Jane0]

@Simon3254 In the EU at least as soon as you input the dates for your stay you should see the total price payable against each listing in the search results. All accommodation providers charge a cleaning fee - Some just split it out whilst others don't.

[Debra300]

@Simon3254,

Typically, a reservation will have the nightly rate (including a discount, if applicable), the customer service fee which is assessed by Airbnb Service and goes directly to them, any taxes that are required by the property's local municipality, and a host may add a cleaning fee and pet fee.  

Unlike a hotel, most short-term rentals do not have full-time cleaning staff that allows them to average a cleaning cost to the nightly rate.  Cleaning a STR after a two night stay will cost the same as for a week or longer stay, and often the money goes directly to the cleaner.  The additional cleaning fee is less impactful for a longer stay than a short stay.  For example, if a host charges a $70 cleaning fee, that's an additional $35 per night for a two night stay.  However, if the stay is two weeks long, it's only an additional $5 per night.  Ultimately, you have to determine if the total cost of the stay fits within your budget regardless of how the fees are applied.