Additional cleaning charges

[Wai2]

I’m preparing to be a new host. My apartment is a 2 beds 2 baths, about 800 sq ft. I m looking to charging $30 cleaning fee and I’m requesting guest to put all used dishes into the dishwasher, all trash into trash can and if if guest need to change the trash bag, then the full trash bag must be taken out. 

That is all the cleaning I require. My only concern is what if some guest does not follow this simple rule? I’m thinking to add a rule that if used dishes and trash’s are left in the open, then an additional $10-$100 fee will be charge, depends on the amount of dishes and trash left behind. Does the rule sounds fair? I’m not asking the guest to clean the house for me, just don’t leave anything that attract any kind of bugs. 

Would love to hear what you think, both hosts and guests, thank you.

[Rowena29]

Hi @Wai2 .

This is what I have done - you may or may not find it useful.

I DID use to charge a cleaning fee.

NOW my cleaning fee is set to zero ( It was $80, I have a 2 night minimum, so I add $40 to each day and then give a deiscount to weekly stays)

Then in hy house manual under checkout proceedures, I state " Unlike many similar size homes in teh area, I do not charge a cleaning fee. I therefore expect guests to leave things clean and - and then I go on to stipulate, wipe down benches, trash outside etc etc - like you not a whole heap

My experience is that guests are much more amenable to being asked to stay tidy when they'r ento already paying a cleaning fee ( they are of course, but it's pyschological) I also charge a heft security depsoit which I think discourages guests who are planning on doing the wrong thing or being badly bahaved.   I think your expectations re cleaning sound very reasoanable.

Good luck!

Regards

[Branka-and-Silvia0]

@Wai2  @Rowena29 

we charge 10€ for studio and 20€ cleaning fee for 2 bdr apartment.  Usually, all of our guests wash the dishes (by hand) and take full trash bags outside but they will rarely empty a trash can. We have no problem with it, on the contrary, because we need to throw some things in the trash while we clean (paper towels, empty bottles of cleaning products, etc...) 

Our building's trash can is in front of the main building's entrance and they have to walk by it when entering or leaving the building so they know where is it. Are you sure your guests know where to leave the trash?