Garage

[Andrea4277]

Should/could I charge an extra fee for the use of my garage, esp for long term guests?

[Jane4678]

Hi Andrea, if there’s no other parking I wouldn’t charge but if you have other parking spaces then I would charge for guests to park in the garage. Hope that helps 

[Joannah5]

Hello! 

Regarding enquiry regarding extra charge for use of garage:

Be sure that this is clarified in the house rules section.

No one likes surprise bills that have not been accounted for . 

[Lilian122]

Hello!

if the garage is inside the house, I wouldn't charge extra, since I assume you rent out the whole house. The exception is if the garage is located on the same lot but away, then why not offer an extra safe option to store your motorbikes or car in the garage for a small extra charge. 

Best regards 🌞 

Lilian 

[Liza3836]

Hi Andrea,

This seems like a tough call. I would ask yourself how many guests request the use of the garage? Also, are there potential safety issues related to garage use, age of guests, etc? Are you willing to take on those risks? If so, do you charge the extra fee or include it in the total price of listing? 

Good luck deciding!

[Paula]

Hola @Andrea4277, I hope you’re doing well, and thank you so much for bringing this question to our community.

Our amazing hosts have shared their advice, and I was wondering if you’ve had a chance to read through it. Have you made a decision yet? 😊

Please keep us posted on what you decide in the end.

Regards 🌻

[Andrea4277 · Accepted solution]

Thank you all so much for your kind responses to my inquiry. I did in the end decide to charge a nominal monthly charge for use of the garage for my long term guests who ask. The garage is otherwise not available.

[Jecelyn0]

It is up to you Mam. If you are not using it why not have it rented with minimal charge that's fair with you and your guest. 

[Luigi1113]

Ciao Andrea4277, poco lontano dalla mia struttura cè un parcheggio che mi consente di utilizzarlo , previo pagamento, al momento del bisogno.

Google Translation added by Community Manager:  Hi Andrea4277, not far from my facility there is a car park that allows me to use it, upon payment, when needed.

[Jana1479]

I think it is up to you and how the guests will response. Jana

[Julie-and-Rick1]

That is a good solution Andrea.

[Kostas-And-Stamos0]

Hi Andrea! Nice to meet you! In my opinion, it's better not to charge an extra fee for short term guests in order to have a competitive price for your property. But for long term guests, you must charge an extra small fee. Another idea is to compare other properties in your area to check how they handle such situations searching through Airbnb platform.

I wish you health and success!

Best regards from Athens, Greece!

🙂

[Khawaja-Aadil0]

Here’s some advice for on charging an extra fee for garage use:

1. Clarify Value: Emphasize what guests gain by using the garage, like added security, protection from weather, or easier access to the property. This helps guests understand the added value they’re paying for.

2. Pricing Structure: Consider a reasonable daily or flat fee for the garage use, depending on guest stay length. For example, a small nightly fee can work for short stays, while a discounted weekly rate might appeal to long-term guests.

3. Set Clear Terms: Mention the garage fee in your listing description and house rules. This ensures transparency and helps avoid any surprises. You could also communicate the fee as an optional add-on when guests inquire about amenities.

4. Check Local Standards: Research local hosts to see if they charge extra for garages. Knowing the standard can guide Andrea on setting a competitive and fair price.

5. Highlight Convenience: Some guests may feel more secure knowing they’ll have exclusive garage access, especially in busy or colder areas, so consider promoting this benefit to justify the fee.

This setup allows you to offer it as a premium feature without risking negative feedback over unexpected charges.

[Lorina14]

Hi @Andrea4277, @Elisa thanks for the tag! 

It depends on your situation if you’re in an apartment complex where it costs more to have an additional parking spot or not. I’ve stayed in Airbnb’s where I was allowed to park in the guest space for free and had a code to get into the garage under the building (it was a shared space - I rented a room with a bathroom), I’ve also seen spaces where people spell out in the house rules and listing (many people don’t fully read house rules or sometimes even the check in directions) that there is free parking on the street and paid parking in the garage. 

We have a spot on our driveway or street parking for our current Airbnb but we did have someone who wanted to use our garage for their show car. We charged an extra flat fee agreed upon with the guest as this displaced our car from our garage. 

That said we have rented entire large houses that did not allow use of their garage as it was for the owner only (they kept their lawn mower, bikes and personal things in there as it was their second home).

In the end you can check out other spaces in your complex or do market research to see what other hosts are doing for situations similar to yours in the area.