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Airbnb hosts agree that guests commonly complain about Airbnb cleaning fees. Those extra fees added to your Airbnb vacation rental bill can come as a shock.
Particularly because they are said to cover the costs of getting the property ready for the next guests. To top it off, they are sometimes unreasonably high.
Here’s why cleaning fees can be high and how you can escape unreasonably high cleaning fees.
What Are Airbnb Cleaning Fees and How Much Do They Cost?
Airbnb cleaning fee is a one-time charge. It is separate from the nightly rental rate and it is non-refundable, even if a guest cancels their reservation.
Naturally, guests are expected to leave the listing in a reasonably clean condition. The cleaning fee, however, ensures that the host can thoroughly clean and prepare the space for the next guest.
These fees are mandatory and are set by the host. Because of this, they can vary widely depending on the size of the property, location, and other factors.
The cleaning fee is typically included in the total price of the listing. It is paid upfront by the guest when they make a booking.
The cleaning fee covers the cost of tidying up the entire listing. This includes the bedrooms, bathrooms, kitchen, living areas, and any outdoor spaces.
The fee also covers cleaning supplies and laundry services. It includes the time and effort required to clean the listing to Airbnb’s standards.
The fee should reflect the actual cost of cleaning the property after a guest’s stay. Some hosts may also offer additional cleaning services for an extra fee, such as daily housekeeping or deep cleaning.
The amount of the cleaning fee is displayed on the listing page. It is listed along with the nightly rate and any other fees that may apply.
The average cleaning fee charged by most Airbnb is $75. However, the cost of cleaning fees can vary depending on a lot of factors.
Airbnb claims that cleaning fees cost less than 10% of the total reservation fee that hosts charge.
However, in Nerdwallet’s inquiries, the cleaning fees amounted to about 25% of the total price. In some rentals, the cleaning fee is more than the nightly rate.
Reasons Why Your Airbnb Cleaning Fees Are High
Professional Cleaning Services
Many Airbnb hosts hire professional cleaning services to ensure that the property is thoroughly cleaned and sanitized between guests.
These services can be more expensive than traditional cleaning services. Hence, it costs more and most times, guests would have to bear the brunt.
Size of the Property
Larger properties generally require more time and effort to clean, which can result in higher cleaning fees. The cleaning cost for a 5-bedroom home will be significantly higher than for a small studio apartment.
Larger Groups
Airbnb rentals that accommodate larger groups may require more cleaning time and effort, hence, the higher fees.
Location
Cleaning fees can vary depending on the location of the property. Properties in areas with higher labor cost or higher living expenses may have higher cleaning fees.
Amenities
Some hosts market their listings as luxury apartments with a higher price point. They have to maintain certain quality standards.
It shouldn’t be a surprise if the cleaning fee is equally high. Properties like this have more amenities, such as a pool, hot tub, or gym.
They may require additional cleaning and maintenance, which can increase cleaning fees.
Length of Stay
The length of your stay can also impact the cleaning fee. Maybe you’re only staying for a night or two. In this case, the cleaning fee may be higher in proportion to your total booking cost.
This is because the cleaning fee is a one-time charge for each booking. Some hosts even use high cleaning fees to hinder guests from booking short stays.
COVID-19 Precautions
Since the outbreak of COVID-19, many Airbnb hosts have implemented additional fees on their cleaning fees. This is to cater for cleaning and disinfecting protocols that ensure the safety of their guests.
These protocols can be more time-consuming and expensive than traditional cleaning methods.
Cleaning Standards and Expectations
Airbnb hosts are expected to maintain high standards of cleanliness to ensure that guests have a comfortable and enjoyable stay.
To meet these expectations, hosts may need to use specialized cleaning products and equipment, which can be expensive. The cleaning fee helps cover the cost of these supplies.
More importantly, it ensures that the property is clean and safe for the next guest.
Miscellaneous Expenses
In addition to cleaning, some Airbnb hosts may include other expenses in the cleaning fee. This includes laundry, restocking of supplies, or administrative fees.
Besides, If you require additional services, this may result in a higher cleaning fee. Let’s say you request extra cleaning during your stay or a mid-stay linen change.
How to Reduce Your Airbnb Cleaning Fee
Ask the Host If They Can Waive or Reduce the Cleaning Fee
Hosts determine their cleaning fees themselves after careful consideration. Because it is not fixed, technically, it is negotiable.
You could politely ask the host if they would be willing to waive or reduce the cleaning fee. Hosts may be more willing to do this if you are booking a longer stay.
This way, they will not need to clean the property as frequently.
Leave the Property in Good Condition
To avoid incurring extra cleaning charges, leave the property in a clean and tidy state before you check out. Consider cleaning up any messes, washing dishes, and putting things back where you found them.
Communicate with the Host
If you accidentally spill something or break something during your stay, it’s always best to be honest with the host. You can also offer to help clean it up or pay for a replacement.
This can help build trust between you and the host and make them even more flexible with the cleaning fee.
Consider Booking a Property with a Lower Cleaning Fee
When searching for an Airbnb rental, you can filter by the cleaning fee to find properties with lower fees. Some hosts decide not to charge a cleaning fee as it elevates their booking price.
The record shows that a small percentage of listings don’t impose cleaning expenses. According to Airbnb, 45% of listings globally don’t impose these costs.
This differs from NerdWallet’s investigation, which states that only 15% of the available postings lacked a cleaning cost.
However, NerdWallet exclusively examined listings in the United States. Airbnb’s data is based on listings from around the world, where fees are less common.
NOTE
Airbnb cleaning fee is a standard charge that covers the cost of cleaning the property between guests. Therefore, hosts may not be able to reduce it beyond what they have already set.
Also, keep in mind that the cleaning fee may be reflective of the level of cleanliness and upkeep of the property. Therefore, a lower cleaning fee may mean the property is not as well-maintained.
Conclusion
When booking an Airbnb, guests should always review the listing details and cleaning fees before making a reservation. It gives them the chance to consider a more cost-effective rental option.
Otherwise, if you’re really interested in a listing, you don’t have to take the cleaning fee at face value. You can always reason with the host.
