This is normally done when hosts live in a different country and after guests have checked out. Hiring a company can be extremely expensive and quality can be inconsistent. Another alternative to cut costs is to look at your local Craigslist and hire from there.
You should always test any cleaning service before you decide to hire them on a regular basis. For us, whenever we first try a new cleaning service, we give them a detailed list of what we expect done. Usually, it will be the carpet, shutters, bathroom and anything else that takes a significant amount of time in between guest check-ins.
After they are finished, whether they are still cleaning other parts of the property or have left, inspect the quality of their work. Most cleaning services will charge a minimum cleaning hour rate (eg. 2 hours minimum) or a total price for what you want to be cleaned. Inquire beforehand and be sure to give them details on exactly what you want.
Is The Cleaning Fee Included In The Airbnb Price?
The cleaning fee is part of the booking total and is non-refundable. In the Airbnb search results, your guests will see a nightly rate which includes the cleaning fee divided by the total number of nights in the reservation.
How Do I See The Total Price Of An Airbnb With Cleaning Fees Included?
While you are traveling and looking for places to stay on Airbnb, nightly prices can be deceiving. One minute they are one price and when you want to finalize your booking the price increases. That is because you are not using the “Map Feature” on Airbnb.
Most people will search for a listing with the left side of the app which only shows what style of home it is (entire condominium, share room, private room etc), the title, price per night not including cleaning fees, and the guest ratings.
Do this instead, after searching the city you want to stay in, on the top right side it will have “show map” and by default, it will be turned off. Turn it on and a map shows up on the right. With the map turned on you can search the area on the map and coordinate where you want to go, what you want to see, and the best part. Cleaning fees are included.
What If I Don't Want To Charge An Airbnb Cleaning Fee?
Not all Airbnb hosts feel comfortable charging a cleaning fee. If you choose to not charge a cleaning fee here are some alternatives.
Ask your guests to tidy up after themselves. You can send a short message via Airbnb app the day before they check in or even while they are checking in.
Most importantly, write your cleaning expectations in your Airbnb guidelines. Mention you don’t charge a cleaning fee and be very specific with special requests such as asking your guests to strip the bedding before checking out or to do their dishes before departing etc.
The second alternative which is less invasive, but tends to not work so well is to put all the above information into your welcoming book.
A welcoming book is a binder letting guests know anything about your place(front door code or wifi password), directions to the grocery store or local favorite restaurants etc. At the front of this book add your cleaning expectations and Airbnb guidelines.
What If I Can't Clean My Airbnb Because I'm Not Living There?
State this in your Airbnb listing that you are not at the property to clean daily. You will have to hire either a cleaning service company or someone off Craigslist to clean after a guest checks out.
Explain your cleaning expectation for guests and make a detailed guideline for all guests. In your Airbnb profile be sure to include a way for your guests to contact you in case the property is dirty.
What Does An Airbnb Cleaning Fee Cover?
Hosts ultimately choose what the cleaning fee covers. It covers host expenses such as their time cleaning, the cost of any cleaning products, any incidental items that guests damage, and other expenses.
What Should You Do If Your Guest Wants You To Clean Your Airbnb?
Here is how to cover yourself when it does happen. Specify in your Airbnb profile that you do or do not clean while your guests are staying with you. If you don’t specify, it could cause confusion for a guest that’s brand new to the platform and think it’s similar to a hotel in that nature.
If a guest does ask you to clean. Document the conversation whether it is on the Airbnb app or via text message. Politely state your profile guidelines saying you do not clean while guests are staying and only before a guest arrives. Even go one step further and mention it is much cheaper than a hotel.
How To Use Your Airbnb Cleaning Fee To Discourage One Night Bookings
With cleaning fees, you can look at it as being divided among the length of guests stay. $50 cleaning fee for a single night is $50, but amongst a 5-night stay most would look at it as $10 per night. If you set your cleaning fee higher it tends to discourage guests who book one night at a time, but the great benefit is if you end up getting a single night booking last minute then your overall profits will go up.
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