Host has requested additional money for "Cleaning Fee"

[Sarah836]

I have a reservation for late October and have just received a request from our host for additional money because a cleaning fee was not included in the booking. I booked this trip August 20th and have heard nothing from the host until now.

Should I decline the request? If so is our host allowed to cancel the trip?

[Lilian20]

Hello @Sarah836 it's all up to you but obviously it seems to be a mistake on the host part and you don't have to comply. 

Note that you have posted in the host section, and i expect you to get loads more support in the "guest" section. 

For my part, I love airbnb and take part both ways

Enjoy the community, 

Cheers, 

[link removed]

[Helen3]

Hello @Sarah836

Sorry to hear this. It isn't your fault that the host forgot to include the cleaning fee and they shouldn't be asking you to pay it.

Simply explain that you booked on the basis of the total price offered and therefore don't think it is fair and isn't allow by Airbnb that hosts later ask for additional funds.

@Lilian20 there hasn't been a 'guest' forum for months

@Sarah836 of course you are welcome to post on any of the forums. Hope you get this issue resolved. If the host insists, then call Airbnb to mediate.

[Oomesh-Kumarsingh0]

@Sarah836 Do not accept any request from such a host as he/she probably decided to charge for a cleaning fee long after you did that booking. I am such even if you decline that request the host will not cancel that upcoming reservation as cancellation for a host= penalty fees to be paid by him/her . Send the host a message asap and tell him/her that you arent willing to pay any extra fees. Good luck!!!

[Ben205]

@Sarah836

Then again, will you want to stay in this person's house after they've asked for more money and you've said 'no'? Depends why you're there and for how long - a short business trip, who minds. But if you're looking for a relaxing getaway, that may not happen!

[Kelly149]

@Sarah836 A host is never really "allowed" to cancel. But certainly could at any time if they decided the penalties were worth it to them. 

You need to keep all communication on the abb message thread and have a discussion with the host: why are they trying to up your costs now, is the total rate still in the realm of reasonable for what you are getting., do you still want to be a guest of this host after your conversation??

after you know the answers to those questions then you are prepared to complete your trip or ask customer service to help you find a new place to stay. 

[GentleHart0]

Hi Sarah,

We had a reservation and whilst we were about to send our usual "here's how to get here etc". I noticed no cleaning fee on the page.  I called Airbnb and after they looked at the reservation they explained that as the guest had asked me to change dates (which I did), the system wipes off the cleaning fee!  Airbnb explained it was always best to get the guest to alter a booking as the host doing it sends the system into "special offer mode " which doesn't include cleaning fees.

So this may be the case with your booking?  Just a thought.

[Michelle13]

Sarah, it is possible it was a system mistake. If the reservation was done as a special offer or some alteration was made afterwards it may have wiped the cleaning fee off. This has happened to me before as a host. However, if none of that applies then the host may have just decided to start charging a fee and trying to retroactively apply it to you. If it's an entire listing or includes fancy stuff (robes, tons of pillows,  full breakfast, hot tub, etc.) and the fee is reasonable/affordable I would pay it. 

[Krystal16]

@Sarah531

I have found myself where prices were not what they should have been or my cleaning fee was to low or wasn't charged at all.  I never have gone back to a guest to ask for additional funds, I have actually reimbursed cleaning fees because the cleaners didn't wait for the sheets to be fully dry before making the bed, (fyi if anyone in Toronto/Scarborough knows any good cleaners feel free to send me a message).

I think the host needs to chalk this one up to a learning experience, what you could also do is let the host know you booked on total price and ask what you can do to help in the clean up before you leave.  Also keep in mind if you dont pay a cleaning fee and you leave the place any way other than how you found it you are not likely to receive a good review from the host.

Best of luck