Charging for utilities

[Karen4449]

Hi, is there a way to charge for over-use of utilities after a guest's stay. We would like to add that a certain level of utilities is covered within their stay, however if exceeded, guests will be charged BUT how does a host charge after a stay???

[Shelley159 · Accepted solution]

Hi @Karen4449 

You can request money by clicking the "Send or Request Money" button on the reservation. It will allow you to enter the amount requested, but the guest will have to approve it. 

How smoothly this plays out will largely depend on whether guests are willing to pay extra, and whether it causes any disputes or issues in your reviews of each other.

[Paula]

Hello @Karen4449,

Our experienced host Shelley has shared her advice. Have you tried using the "Send or Request Money" feature with your guests?

Please keep us posted!

[Lorna170]

As @Shelley159 suggested, you can send a payment request to the guest post-stay.  However, the guest is gone and has no incentive to pay attention to your request.  There is no penalty for non-payment too. Sending requests for excessive utilities is certain to earn you poor reviews.

If you have excessive utility usage by your guests, you need to rethink your bottom line.  How much will it cost if a light burning, hot water running, iceberg AC or Desert Valley heat lover stays in your property?  Raise your rates to accommodate high utility costs -- then you will be okay.  Many guests feel entitled to use our properties any way they like because "they paid for it".  Conservation is not a consideration.

[Nagaraja2]

Hi @Shelley159 , Managing utility costs for short-term rentals can be challenging, especially when guest consumption patterns are unpredictable. This often leads to hosts bearing unexpected expenses.

To address this, I’m working on a smart utility billing solution that integrates with Airbnb and other booking platforms. This approach not only helps hosts recover utility costs but also encourages responsible consumption—contributing to sustainability and reducing the carbon footprint.

Attached is a screenshot of an electricity bill example (water and gas can also be included). I’d love to hear your feedback on this solution, and I’d be happy to assist if you're interested in implementing it for your property.

Looking forward to your thoughts!

Best regards,