Cleaning Fee covers what exactly?

[Chadrick-and-Alison0]

Looking for some quick help with this issue . . . I am new to hosting here and currently have my first booking in my listing. My understanding of the Cleaning Fee, is that it covers cleaning for the guests arrival (and in some ways cleaning after), but not for cleaning during.

The Guest in this booking asked me at check-in when she can expect the apartmetnt to be refreshed. She said she uses Airbnb all the time and that is what she has come to know, 2/3 days into the booking. Her booking with me is for 6 nights. She also said that she did not see the purpose of paying for cleaning service if she was not going to "benefit from using it".

Also, I hate asaumptions but what could the expectation of "refreshed" be? New bed linens?? New towels??

I have searched through the Airbnb site and cannot find anywhere answers or guidance to this issue . . . 

As a first time host, first booking etc. I am fearful of the "dreaded" bad review especially on something that I may have to speak to the Guest about. 

Help is greatly appreciated!!!

[Luana130]

It is complicated now that you already created the possibility. The cleaning fee is for cleaning the apartment before the guest arrives. I do offer extra cleanning if the guest requires, but I charge extra. The only places I have stayed using airbnb that had cleaning during my stay were apart-hotels, and it was stated on the reservation. If it was not specified in the reservation she has no right to expect that. She is clearly trying to take advantage of you. 

Don't be afraid of bad reviews too much other wise you will be always doing extra jobs, buying extra things the guest needs, don't spoil them, they get used to it and ask for more. 

Airbnb as far as I know actually doesn't like hosts entering the guest private spaces during their stay. I would say no, sorry, that is not included.

[Sandra856]

@Luana130 you need to tag your message otherwise the person you write to probably won't see it. This is an old thread except for this new guy complaing about the cleaning fees. 

[Sam3354]

aibnb cleaning fee = scam. Dont pass this expense on to the customer, it should be a cost of doing business

[Sarah977]

@Sam3354  The cleaning fees are always the customer's expense, whether a place shows a separate cleaning fee, or it's included in the nightly price. Just as the amenities provided, the average utility use, and all the rest of a host's expenses are factored in to the price.

Do you honestly think hotels don't figure the cost of cleaning into their nightly rates, just because it's not shown as a separate charge? 

[Jackie551]

I went out of my way making sure the place was clean. She’s upset because I left a rainbow balloon in her daughter’s room and three coffee cups next to the sink since the dishwasher was running. 

[Jackie551]

Is a $199 cleaning fee excessive for a two night stay, especially when paying $250 per night? I’ve decided to no longer use Airbnb and book hotels instead. I can get a 4 star hotel in the same area for $150 per night on Priceline. It just doesn’t make sense to pay for all the inconvenience of paying a high cleaning fee and then being expected to do all the cleaning.

[Emily487]

@Jackie551 

For short stays like that, you might be better suited to a luxury hotel. That is a high cleaning fee but it wouldn't be "felt" so much by guests who book longer stays. 

I'm sorry you had a bad experience with your last stay. I looked at her listing and I can see why you booked it. The $199 probably covers her cleaning crew, cost for laundry, and extras for guests (imagine it's a 2 person cleaning crew who comes in and clean for 3 hours....that's 6 billed hours at $25-$30/hour). 

As for her expectations not being met- that is always tricky and I recommend touching base with your host before checkout just to confirm what they want you do to (or you might even request a quick walk through if the live nearby). 

[Jackie551]

You’re absolutely right that a luxury hotel would’ve been less stressful and upsetting. I don’t see myself staying at another Airbnb in the future. 

[Brittney46]

What if you’re a guest that picks up after yourself but after 48hrs you realized there’s dog hair all over the sheets and floor which mean you weren’t provided clean linens, is there a way to get that fee removed?

[Sarah977]

@Brittney46  A little hard to believe it takes 2 days staying in a place to notice there's dog hair all over the sheets and floor.

[Linda108]

@Brittney46   As a guest, if the listing is not meeting your expectations for example not clean enough, you can message the host about a refund.  If you elect to stay in the listing in spite of problems, you may not qualify for a refund.  If you message the host about the lack of sufficient cleaning or clean linens and the host does nothing about it, you might consider contacting Air BNB and seeking another place.

[Tom904]

the $35 a night AIRBNB room is actually $94 a nite with all the **bleep** fees added on, so 3 days would cost me almost $300 vs $60 a day at Motel 6 with my old persons 10% discount, cleaning,tax,  and fees included or $180. The AIRBNB might be more homey but $ 120 dollars worth of homey burns a huge hole in my wallet and I could stay at Motel 6 for 5 days then for the same $300.

[Linda108]

I see your misunderstanding now.  The cleaning fee is charged once not daily.  I am not trying to convince you to use Air BNB, but at least you have correct information in which to make a decision.

[Tom904]

i cannot afford a 40 dollar cleaning fee tacked onto what I thought was a 35 dollar rental fee for 1 nite plus tax + a service fee makes the 35 dollar room  into a 95 dollar room. I refuse to use AIRBNB if this keeps up !!!

I will go stay at Motel 6 or sleep in my car or tent. Cleaning fee should be included in basic room cost as it is at hotels in my opinion. I need a room for weekend travels, not for week or monthly stays.

[Linda108]

@Tom904  Very valid point.  I think a cleaning fee favors those who stay longer than a single night, which is often the reason for having it.  If you want to stay at Motel 6, your room will be closer to $70-$90 depending on where you are staying.  Let's say you are staying in a $70/night room for 3 nights, so your cost is $210 plus taxes.  Now if you stayed at the $35 dollar room, you cost would be $145 plus taxes.

[Ana1136]

@Tom904 you can look for properties that don't charge cleaning fees (but will have the cleaning fee integrated in the price which in the end is pretty much the same) or as you said motels or tents. You can also set up a price limit and search properties that fit your budget. As you are free to book or nit book whatever you want hosts have the right to add a cleaning fee and charge as much as they see fit. No one is forcing anyone to use anything, we all have a choice 🙂 

[Devin-and-Sarah0]

It covers the host's expenses. https://www.airbnbuniverse.com/airbnb-cleaning-fee

[Chad-and-Char0]

@Chadrick-and-Alison0, how much you charge for cleaning, and what you do with/for it is entirely up to you.  There is no "Aibnb policy".

I charge a cleaning fee to cover the cost of doing the laundry and to pay for the minor incidental items that guests damage.  There are often ruined towels that I have to replace.  Someone lately walked off with the bath mat.  They often break a glass or chip a mug.  After one stay, instead of cleaning it, we just removed the entire toilet seat and replaced it!  And, I don't feel annoyed or bitter, because I feel like it evens out in the long run.

I say clearly in my listing that it is not a hotel, and I will not come in to clean during their stay.  If they stay for longer than 7 days, I'll contact them midway through and tell them I'm leaving out fresh towels etc for them, and that they can exchange them with their used ones.  Since they weren't expecting it, they feel like I am doing a little bit extra just for them.

In my house rules I ask them to tidy and do their dishes before they leave.  Most people clean up after themselves pretty well.

[Ange2]

@Chad-and-Char0   "Someone lately walked off with the bath mat" !  It's crazy the things guest will take. Was it a beautiful art-piece? 😍

[Linda108]

I agree with the other hosts, @Chadrick-and-Alison0, that perhaps you are being taken advantage of by these guests.  Be sure to provide an honest review which would include that the guest expectations are better met in a hotel environment.

Another reason for a cleaning fee is a strategy of keeping the nightly rate lower for longer bookings.  I seldom have one night bookings because the cleaning fee is high if only one night, but when the booking is 3-4 nights, my preferred booking, it does not seem to be that much.

If your target market is a single night, then it would make sense to include cleaning costs in your nightly rate.