Extra charges for water and electricity

[Mireille9]

Hi

As a host, how does one go about charging extra for water and electricity when it is applicable?

Thanks

Mireille 

[Tali16]

Hi, we are currently staying in Czech Republic at a villa for 5 nights. We are 2 families, altogether 10 people. Upon arrival, the host notified us of an extra charge for electricity that will be based on a meter reading. He insisted that we deposit 80 euro and gave us a receipt. We tried to argue about the payment as it is not in the airbnb contract but he literally ambushes us every second that we are at the house. We are staying in a separated section of his house. So it is impossible to evade the issue. I understand that any money not paid through airbnb cannot be refuted through airbnb, but what option do we have? Please help.

[Jeremy388]

If you want to charge separately for electricity then find a long term renter and lease the apartment and stop whining. Otherwise, get it right in your price. There is a reason it is all included and that is the host's responsibility to get the pricing right. You don't get to cash in on your place when it is convenient for you and charge when it is not. In every business, there are costs and losses. You can write it off on your taxes. I find the thread obnoxious like the host who just wrote me because of the electric is$125 for the coldest month of the year in a place with space heaters and not thermostat and single-pane windows. He's also complaining about my WI-fi usage! Really? So now he is charged if I use too much internet, but never tells me any of this but wants to charge me on the other end. I don't think so. 

[Olyd-N0]

The issue is a very real problem. Some people are hosting in places where utility bills are very high and unfortunately, some of the guests may not be aware of this or since it is not them paying, may simply be wasteful.  I have had a situation where all the money paid (and it was discounted) was not enough to cover the utility bills inccured. I can see why it may be obnoxious to the one benefitting ..but to the hosts, it is definitely a very important aspect of hosting.  Again internet is charged differently in many places.  Some pay per data usage and is very expensive to have unlimited plans. And on top some places charge a tax each time  you want to connect to internet. 

[Jamie-and-Gustavo0]

I’ve always calculated a per person/per day standard rate that becomes part of the cost and extra person charge, then factored in the laundry costs into the cleaning fee. In a new location this may take a couple months to adjust. So if my household includes my partner and I for 30 days/month, and we have occupancy of another person for 20 of the days, we determine the estimated per-day amount and fold that standard rate into the daily/weekly/monthly rental cost. You may also be able to write it off when doing taxes as a cost for your rental. 

[Rhine0]

HI I'm from Malaysia. My guest had forgotten to turn of the AC when she checked out and it was running for 3 days and it was stated clearly in the House Rules. How do I charge the guest? Airbnb only allow to us to claim within 14 days but the electricity bill is based on monthly.

[Marcus0]

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@Rhine0 wrote:

HI I'm from Malaysia. My guest had forgotten to turn of the AC when she checked out and it was running for 3 days and it was stated clearly in the House Rules. How do I charge the guest? Airbnb only allow to us to claim within 14 days but the electricity bill is based on monthly.

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Hi @Rhine0 , the answers abound in this thread.  Either set your prices with this in mind, install a smart system that can remotely monitor and/or turn the AC system off or, probably the easiest, have your cleaner always go in immediately after guests depart.  If you stayed at a hotel, would you expect to get billed for extra AC use? 

[Olyd-N0]

But this is not a hotel and host facilities varies. Some do not have a cleaner who can keep checking on the property.   However, installing a smart system isnt a bad idea.

[Shawn432]

yeah i had a similar problem with a long term guest (30 days). the electricity bill comes a month later and 35% off the rental amount went for electricity.  And after 14 days you cant report.  so are supposed to bite the bullet on this?  

[Julie536]

Hi Rhino,

I had a problem with AC too so got a device fitted to stop the AC if there is no movement in the place for more than ? 20 minutes. It seems to work.

[Rouhel0]

I have a guest staying in my place and I didn’t expect the electricity to be that high, I mean extremely high. Can I ask him to participate in the payment of the Bill? At least some if it? 

[Elven3]

I have a issue a guest come in 24 hours /7 open Aircon . How to advise him ?

[Fendi1]

I've just read in Malaysia (where I operate), the utility provider provides an option for us to install a Smart Reader which we can remotely monitor electricity use on 30mins interval. 

I intend to install it and see how things go. Perhaps a disclaimer on my listing for any electricity use above $X/day, guest shall be liable for the extra charges. Perhaps you can check whether available in your respective countries: https://youtu.be/Dq_fGDd_nsc

[Viktoriia10]

We have a pool, our guests somehow turned on the faucet on a side by the fence that runs the water to the pool from internal pipe on a top of the pool and its not some 1 inch indoor faucet\pipe. When you hang out by the pool you cant miss that. It appears they had it on for the duration of their stay which is one week, because our monthly water and sewer bill came $980 instead of $180. Im devastated and really want to sell the house and stop dealing with all this Airbnb nightmare. 

[Julie4372]

How awful Viktoria, it’s not fair at all. I don’t think renting can be sustainable much longer. 
I’ve been trying to sell a place in U.K. for 3 yrs but near impossible due to cladding. I hope you can resolve the problem. Good luck 

[Irene965]

That’s awful maybe Try putting a locked cover on the spigot?