Residents
Owners
One of the most debated topics in the vacation rental industry is cleaning fees. Owners and managers of vacation rentals should know the fact that cleaning fees and how guests consider cleaning fees can affect booking activity and reviews.
The sorry years of the COVID-19 pandemic highlight the importance of cleanliness and sanitation. That reality extends its impact on vacation rental cleaning fees up to now. Social media abounds with questions and opinions regarding Vrbo and Airbnb cleaning fees. People ask in particular how much is a reasonable cleaning fee.
Vacation rental hosts must not overlook details about their cleaning expenses because these fees can impact your rental income. Here is a guide to ensure you set reasonable cleaning fees for your vacation rental.
How Do Airbnb Hosts Charge Cleaning Fees?
Typically, Airbnb hosts impose cleaning fees aside from the base price. Of course, there are also add-ons that guests can opt for convenience. The cleaning fee covers the cleaning services after each stay of the guest in preparation for the next one. The charge varies by host, and it is the same despite the duration of the stay of the guest.
Many Airbnb guests protest about the lack of information regarding additional costs of Airbnb. Typically, the results will only show the nightly rate for a vacation rental, and they will find out later that there are ancillary costs on top of the price they expected to pay.
Thankfully, Airbnb made some changes to let the guests view the overall cost of renting a vacation home, which includes the cleaning fees. The guests can view the pricing in the search results with the details on the cost of cleaning service divided by how many nights they are staying.
Cleaning Fees Coverage
You do not need to spend a significant amount of time and effort if you hire a cleaning company. If you do it all alone, you have to spend on household supplies and cleaning products. So, the former option is preferable over the latter.
Now, you might wonder what are the tasks or things covered by cleaning fees if you get the services of a cleaning company. Here is a list.
- Washing the towels and bed linens
- Scrubbing the kitchen and bathroom
- Restocking the fridge and pantry
- Restocking bathroom supplies
- Washing the dishes
- Mopping, sweeping, and vacuuming
- Tidying the house
Facts about Airbnb Cleaning Fees for Hosts
So, you already know the fundamentals of Airbnb cleaning fees. Now, we will discuss facts through data. Remember, the location and competition will determine whether you have to impose cleaning fees or how much to charge.
Not all Vacation Rentals Charge Cleaning Fees
There is this notion that all short-term rentals charge cleaning fees. However, data suggests that not all STRs have these.
Every country varies when it comes to the prevalence of cleaning fees. Forty-four percent of STRs in France do not charge cleaning fees. In the United Kingdom, 52% of STRs do not have such fees. In the United States, it is pretty prevalent to see vacation rentals charging cleaning fees. A meager 11% of properties in the US do not charge cleaning fees.
Cleaning Fees in Relation to Revenue
Different factors make up STR revenue and cleaning fees only form a small part of the pie. In the United States, owners and hosts of vacation rentals earned $61.5 billion in revenue in 2023. Only eight billion or 13% of that total revenue is due to cleaning fees.
Location and Property Size Affects Cleaning Fees
There is uniqueness in every short-term rental. If your STR is located near the beach, it may take more time to clean the sand out of it. Therefore, since every vacation rental is unique, cleaning fees vary by location and property size.
You can spend more money if your vacation rental is on the farm or in the woods. The remoteness of the area is a factor that can increase the cost of cleaning services. It is also challenging to find labor to service your STR due to its location.
It also takes much time and effort to clean a larger property. Thus, it is not surprising that cleaning fees are more expensive the bigger your STR. Last year, the average fee for an Airbnb property with a shared room was $49 per stay, while the average fee for an STR with five bedrooms was $300.
Final Thoughts
Investing in a cleaning service can be beneficial for Airbnb hosts since it reduces the time and effort and diverts them to more profitable tasks. If you choose to hire a cleaning service company, understand the factors that affect your charge of cleaning fees for your guests. Consider the property size, location, and average cost of a cleaning service for that purpose.
