include or not include electricity

[Mariann2]

just wanted to ask, it seems here in Denmark that electricity is not included, and I would like to follow with that, so everyone can decide how warm they want the house for themselves, but where do you put that in the listing? Thanks for your help! 🐵 Mariann

[Gerry-And-Rashid0]

Hi .... we stayed with friends in Copenhagen in an AirBnB and heating/electricity was included, I also took a quick look at a number of other listings in Denmark just now and no one mentions charging separately for electricity. It feels very strange to say you charge separately. How would you measure this and how would guests pay?

[Sandra126]

This really surprised me so I had a look at Denmark. I found plenty of listings which mention nothing about extra charges, and then I found one which said ''on departure you will pay DKK 50 per day for electricity/firewood/water.'' Another said ''pay your consumption'' on departure, so I can only assume the metre is read for every guest. This is in breach of Air rules as far as I understand, since no cash should be exchanged and how else will guest pay on departure? I looked at maybe 10 listings without extra fees and two with.

There is nowhere you can put it in the listing in the correct Air way since Air does not have an option for utilities fees. Yet, it seems that Denmark operates in a different way and simply sticks it in the house rules section. In one way, it isn't a bad idea for longer stayers to have the option to pay utilities since the host doesn't have to be upset about high consumption should guests choose to overuse, but you should not do cash exchanges with Air.

I think you should just set the price, most guests fall in a normal consumption pattern and it should not be an issue. Obviously the 50 per day host had that down as an average and was happy with that, so why could that not be part of the price? Seems like hidden fees to me.

[Amaris0]

I too have been to Copenhagen a few times and have never encountered this. Personally as a guest,  I wouldn't stay in a property where the fee is not determined upfront for the lack of transparency; I would expect the host to include all costs in the nightly rate so I can budget accordingly for my trip. 

That said, you have the right to charge additional fees although I think that you will difficulty along the way for the following reasons-

• You will need a meter that shows each’s guests consumption from check-in to check-out; you will need to deduct the daily standing charge from this amount because you are responsible for that amount. Just setting a ball figure per day is not acceptable because if you already know how much you want per day then it should be part of the nightly charge

• You would need to charge this via the resolution centre as extra fees. The guest will need to accept this in order for ABB to charge their card and they may very well not accept so you won't get anything

• Many guest DO NOT read house rules or description, they go by the price seem upfront. They will arrive at your property and dispute the fact that they have additional fees on top once you inform them, a hassle you will probably go through a few times. 

• Some guest will go through with it, although being asked to pay more money on top of what you have already paid is never nice and it will probably backfire when they leave reviews.

• A guest does not know if they are getting value for money at booking stage. An alternative host without such charges, a hotel or B&B seems more appealing , sometimes it’s worth paying the little extra to know eher you stand, peace of mind

Whatever you decide wish you all the best

Ama

[Inge9]

I've never heard of charging for electricity. I would ask guests to conserve and charge more and include it.