How much cleaning do you require of guests?
Real Estate Broker · Cody, WY · Member since 2010 · 28k+ posts · 41k+ votes
The DIY Landlord Book4.7244 Reviews
How much cleaning do you require of guests?
Most Popular Reply
Ryan MoyerBusiness Member
Property Manager · Orlando Kissimmee Davenport Salt Lake City, Park City · Member since 2019 · 996 posts · 1k+ votesI'm not gonna hold back here because these childish complaints are really a pet peeve of mine. I say that as a guest that has been staying in STR's since the 90's as much as I do as a host.
Maybe some of the disconnect is big city condotels vs. full houses in the mountains or the beach. I could maybe understand some of the whining about having to be a grown up adult for 5 minutes at the condotels that are more meant to be direct competitors to a hotel. But at a full house at the beach or something like that, if you're comparing a few minutes to load the dishwasher in this full house that has to be turned over in a few hours to a 150sqft hotel room that doesn't even have dishes, you're being ridiculous.
Most of the people that complain about this stuff are 16 year olds on Tik Tok just hunting for clicks. It's become popular in that circle to whine about it, so it's a great way to get clicks. Seeing full grown adults on an investment forum acting like it's some great burden is frankly kind of sad.
Why should I have to clean when I'm already paying a cleaning fee?
Throwing your dirty towels into a pile on the floor isn't "cleaning". 99% of hosts ask little more than to start the dishwasher and pile up dirty towels, and 99% of that 99% won't actually ding you in any way if you don't do it. Maybe some hosts ask to strip the beds or take out the trash. Plenty reasonable. The nonsense about being asked to vacuum or mow the lawn is reductio ad absurdum. A lame form of discussion where someone references the extreme outlier and creates their argument around it as if it is the norm. "I'm tired of hosts asking me to mow the lawn and re-tar their roof for them!". Please.
I don't have to do my dishes at a hotel
Well, duh. Because you don't get dishes at a hotel. Again, maybe this is a disconnect between tiny NYC condos in the hotel district and your typical vacation rental, but if you rent a 4br Marriott Vacation house in Hawaii you are expected to do your dishes. If you rent a condo in Aspen through Whyndam they ask you to do your dishes. If you stay in a timeshare they ask you to do your dishes. It's been this way for 30 years.
I got a good chuckle out of someone above acting shocked about having to take the trash to the dump 6 miles away, while at the same time mentioning that the checkout list is getting harder, not easier. I bet he'd be shocked to know that for 20 years prior to Airbnb that was actually the standard, rather than the outlier exception it is now. I've been staying in cabins in Tennessee, NC, and Georgia since the 90's and it was always expected that you'd take your trash with you when you leave. Often much further than 6 miles (I remember driving all the way home with it a few times because we couldn't find anywhere to take it. There just wasn't the infrastructure in a lot of these vacation destinations back then like there is now. Now, in 99% of cases, you don't have to do that anymore.
If anything the checkout list has gotten easier and easier (not harder and harder) to the point where it's almost nothing now in most cases.
Renting a house is just different than renting a little hotel room. Maybe some people just aren't cut out to be trusted with other people's property. If you want to check into a place and act like a toddler so some big corporation's $7/hr staff can fix your disaster, then go for it. If you want to be an adult and stay in a nice place with a kitchen, private pool, and room for 4 families, then do that.
And yea, if you're family is getting into a huge fight because you had to load a dishwasher than that's definitely a "you" problem. Every day all around the world millions of people manage to successfully load a dishwasher without breaking up their family. Crazy, I know.
Cosmic Vacations4.9175 Reviews
68 Replies
- Real Estate Agent · Smoky Mountains, TN · Member since 2022 · 1k+ posts · 984 votes4y
Start the dishwasher. That’s pretty much it
- Investor · United States · Member since 2020 · 202 posts · 284 votes4y
Literally nothing. Which is exactly what I would expect at other Airbnbs, hotels, etc.
- 4yMichael BaumPro MemberOlympia, WA · Member since 2016 · 8k+ posts · 7k+ votes
I have the guests load and run the dishwasher, take all their trash out to the cans and put all the used towels in the nearest tub.
Nothing else. Never had a single complaint and 90% do it right.
I have had folks miss a trash can under a bathroom sink or forget to start the dishwasher, but it is pretty rare.
Most people, me included, feel that I am staying in someones home so i do the extra stuff that is asked. No big.
- Investor · Scottsdale Austin Tuktoyaktuk · Member since 2021 · 4k+ posts · 4k+ votes4y
Quote from @Michael Baum:
I have the guests load and run the dishwasher, take all their trash out to the cans and put all the used towels in the nearest tub.
Nothing else. Never had a single complaint and 90% do it right.
I have had folks miss a trash can under a bathroom sink or forget to start the dishwasher, but it is pretty rare.
Most people, me included, feel that I am staying in someones home so i do the extra stuff that is asked. No big.
But do you charge me money when I am staying in your home as a guest? We've stayed at STRs all over the country and generally we will do the simple things like pack our stuff, be out on time and not steal anything.
My wife puts the coffee mugs in the sink and I take our things to the car. I get to do enough chores at home, I don't expect to do them on vacation and pay for the privilege of cleaning your house. ;-)The cleaning fee you charged me when I booked the place covers the cleaning, right?
- 4yJohn UnderwoodPro MemberInvestor · Greer, SC · Member since 2014 · 13k+ posts · 17k+ votes
Start the dishwasher. That's it.
The majority of the people you can't hardly tell they were there. There is the occasional messy family, but that is the exception.
- 4yDave StokleyBusiness MemberProperty Manager · Cleveland, OH · Member since 2015 · 705 posts · 799 votes
“Place used towels on the bathroom floor.
Load the dishwasher and start it.
Move all furniture and items back to original locations.
Set thermostat to 72F.
Lock the door when you leave by hitting lock button.“
- Member since 2020 · 241 posts · 179 votes4y
I don't have a short term rental but our family stayed in one this past summer as we do each year. The host wanted the place cleaned to the point of move in ready for the next quests- with the exception of washing the linens. What at PITA and on top of that she charged a cleaning fee! We would have considered renting the place next year but won't based on the cleaning requirement.
- Cambridge, MA · Member since 2015 · 652 posts · 736 votes4y
I also use to ask my guests to strip the beds, empty the trash, run the dishwasher, etc, because that was how I was trained. Then this past spring I stayed in tons of STRs across the Southwest & California and noticed what a pain it was to do all of that when on vacation.
I came back home and dropped all my clean up requests. I now ask my guests to be sure they lock up when they depart. My ratings have been climbing ever since.
We use to be in the quirky, unique, home-away-from-home business. We are now in the hospitality business. I've noticed that many of the ratings for STRs are much, much higher than the ratings for hotels.
- Investor · The worst town to live in, KS · Member since 2016 · 4k+ posts · 4k+ votes4y
I just tell them to leave it clean. Different people have different definitions of clean. They know if they leave it messy they will not be allowed to stay again in one of my places. I've got a monopoly on the STRs here, and my clientele comes here for work on a regular basis. By regular I mean once every 6-18 months.
Load and start the dishwasher.
Take the trash out.
Put furniture back where it was.
and lock the doors on the way out.
In my market 90% of my cleanings are done on turns. The cleaners have a 5 hour window to handle multiple cabins. They don’t have time to do the dishes and get them put away with everything they have to do.
Additionally, I don't want to run into a situation where a guests leaves the doors unlocked and didn't take out the trash. We have bears in the area and they know how to enter unlocked vehicles and buildings. I don't need that problem either.
Never had a guest complain and from what I understand from other hosts in my market, most do it this way here as well. I have fantastic reviews so it doesn't appear to be affecting me.
- Investor · The worst town to live in, KS · Member since 2016 · 4k+ posts · 4k+ votes4y
Quote from @Ken Boone:
We have bears in the area and they know how to enter unlocked vehicles and buildings.
I left the T-tops out of my Vette and trash pandas got inside. They left paw prints on the seat.
- Rental Property Investor · Member since 2019 · 276 posts · 235 votes4y
Load and start dishwasher. Remove your food from fridge and freezer.
I try to keep it as simple as possible. This is my list.
- It would be helpful to our cleaners if you could load and start the dishwasher.
- Please take home or dispose of all food items.
- If you logged into any streaming apps on the TV, please log out.- Rock Star Extraordinaire · Northeast, TN · Member since 2015 · 10k+ posts · 17k+ votes4y
Nothing. So far I've found that guests don't seem to be much different than what you'd find in regular housing, meaning: long term renters don't do anything, even if you ask them, and those who value homes including their own either ask what they can do or just go ahead and do it, so you don't need to ask them. I don't have a long track record on STR so maybe my impression will change over time but so far I'm finding that the best/easiest/least stress is to just include/automate everything and then I don't have to worry about whether or not the guest is an idiot. I check my own locks through the app, check the thermostat through the app, and I pay the next door neighbor to cart the trash to the curb Sunday evening and bring the cans back Monday morning (he also cuts my grass, so it's just built in) so the cleaners can just concentrate on cleaning and that's it.
When I stay at an STR I gather towels, run the dishwasher, put anything back where it was supposed to be, and cart all trash out to the cans and put the cans on the street if I'm there during trash pickup time. But I would do this anywhere, including in a hotel room. I don't think there's any virtue in just being a lazy slob because you "paid".
I read the article in that link. If anyone asked me to mow the lawn I would laugh at them.
Skyline Properties - 4yBruce WoodruffPro MemberContractor/Investor/Consultant · San Diego / Phoenix · Member since 2021 · 12k+ posts · 15k+ votes
1) Take out the trash, 2) put everything back where you found it, 3) Lock the doors.
That's it. But almost every guest leaves the places almost as clean as they were when they walked in.
- Investor · The worst town to live in, KS · Member since 2016 · 4k+ posts · 4k+ votes4y
I had about a dozen STRs all become vacant in a few days. It was all people from the same company doing work here. They left all kinds of food behind in fridges and cabinets. I set out 2 food items in my yard by the woods each night in front of my game camera. It would be a match up.
hot dogs vs hamburger.
bread vs frosted flakes.
a pound of butter vs a pile of miracle whip.
fajita meat vs chicken breasts.
etc.
I'd take a picture and post these food competitions on the web and people would vote on what gets eaten first and what animal would eat it first. Animals were opossums, trash pandas, fox, stray cat or crow.
- Rock Star Extraordinaire · Northeast, TN · Member since 2015 · 10k+ posts · 17k+ votes4y
Quote from @Paul Sandhu:
I had about a dozen STRs all become vacant in a few days. It was all people from the same company doing work here. They left all kinds of food behind in fridges and cabinets. I set out 2 food items in my yard by the woods each night in front of my game camera. It would be a match up.
hot dogs vs hamburger.
bread vs frosted flakes.
a pound of butter vs a pile of miracle whip.
fajita meat vs chicken breasts.
etc.
I'd take a picture and post these food competitions on the web and people would vote on what gets eaten first and what animal would eat it first. Animals were opossums, trash pandas, fox, stray cat or crow.
What's a trash panda?Skyline Properties - Investor · The worst town to live in, KS · Member since 2016 · 4k+ posts · 4k+ votes4y
Quote from @JD Martin:
Quote from @Paul Sandhu:
I had about a dozen STRs all become vacant in a few days. It was all people from the same company doing work here. They left all kinds of food behind in fridges and cabinets. I set out 2 food items in my yard by the woods each night in front of my game camera. It would be a match up.
hot dogs vs hamburger.
bread vs frosted flakes.
a pound of butter vs a pile of miracle whip.
fajita meat vs chicken breasts.
etc.
I'd take a picture and post these food competitions on the web and people would vote on what gets eaten first and what animal would eat it first. Animals were opossums, trash pandas, fox, stray cat or crow.
What's a trash panda?
I am new on my journey, but I ask them to do their dishes and take out the trash. But after seeing my cleaners take out trash anyway I am going to consider letting the cleaner take out the trash.
- Rock Star Extraordinaire · Northeast, TN · Member since 2015 · 10k+ posts · 17k+ votes4y
Quote from @Paul Sandhu:
Quote from @JD Martin:
Quote from @Paul Sandhu:
I had about a dozen STRs all become vacant in a few days. It was all people from the same company doing work here. They left all kinds of food behind in fridges and cabinets. I set out 2 food items in my yard by the woods each night in front of my game camera. It would be a match up.
hot dogs vs hamburger.
bread vs frosted flakes.
a pound of butter vs a pile of miracle whip.
fajita meat vs chicken breasts.
etc.
I'd take a picture and post these food competitions on the web and people would vote on what gets eaten first and what animal would eat it first. Animals were opossums, trash pandas, fox, stray cat or crow.
What's a trash panda?
Aha, raccoons. I might have figured that out but I grew up in the city and we didn't have raccoons. :) I have them at my house now, pretty regular.Skyline Properties - Rental Property Investor · Orange County, CA · Member since 2016 · 740 posts · 529 votes4y
I think the checkout rules create boundaries and set expectations. If you don't have any..... the guests could potentially leave it in much worse condition, esp if they are new to the platform (airbnb, etc) But also they know you care about the property and will be "checking them". It's like the toddler or teenager that pushes and pushes, until you give them rules. Rules are not bad.... as long as they are not extreme and they are simple and easy to follow.
Example: my son and his friends booked out one of my houses- (I offered it as a graduation gift to them for their senior trip). I assumed that because my son has been to my houses that he would leave the house in amazing condition. They did an Ok-ish job, but bc I didn't send him my normal "checkout instructions email" and I assumed they would read the one at the house. They didn't really do much for checkout and left all the dishes on the counter- food in the fridge, didn't put the trash away, etc etc. It wasn't bad....but they didn't even try. So my cleaners had to stay an extra 2 hours and had to charge me extra bc it messed up their schedules with their other houses. That's on me for not setting any expectations.
My point here is that I don't penalize anyone who doesn't follow all the checkout items, because I know they are paying a cleaning fee. BUT I always give the main rules that are a must--- like locking doors, trash etc. Then I add the expectations, "if you feel inclined", "it really helps my cleaners", etc etc. I always add things like, " I am leaving you a 5 star review, and I hope we earned one too, "5 star experience is very important to us as a privately owned rental", "Hope you enjoyed our home, and experienced the joy it brings to all our guests," etc, etc.
In each message I send- I am setting expectations through my words I use. I own over 5 houses that I self manage them all and find so much joy in hosting that I never thought I would......I avoided it for a long time and used PM's, and got tired of paying them the fees, and I don't regret it 1 bit. I spend less than 30 min a day on all 5 of them now and this is because of setting expectations and good communications. Best of luck! Melissa
- 4yMichael BaumPro MemberOlympia, WA · Member since 2016 · 8k+ posts · 7k+ votes
Quote from @Account Closed:
Quote from @Michael Baum:
I have the guests load and run the dishwasher, take all their trash out to the cans and put all the used towels in the nearest tub.
Nothing else. Never had a single complaint and 90% do it right.
I have had folks miss a trash can under a bathroom sink or forget to start the dishwasher, but it is pretty rare.
Most people, me included, feel that I am staying in someones home so i do the extra stuff that is asked. No big.
But do you charge me money when I am staying in your home as a guest? We've stayed at STRs all over the country and generally we will do the simple things like pack our stuff, be out on time and not steal anything.
My wife puts the coffee mugs in the sink and I take our things to the car. I get to do enough chores at home, I don't expect to do them on vacation and pay for the privilege of cleaning your house. ;-)The cleaning fee you charged me when I booked the place covers the cleaning, right?
Well, then you don't get to stay at our place! The things I ask take 10 minutes to do. They are simple things that all our guests have been happy to do.
I am sticking with how we do things. All 5 star reviews says I am doing it right.
I think you leave any place you stay a complete mess because you are on vacation. Being on vacation doesn't negate personal responsibility. - Rock Star Extraordinaire · Northeast, TN · Member since 2015 · 10k+ posts · 17k+ votes4y
Quote from @Michael Baum:
Quote from @Account Closed:
Quote from @Michael Baum:
I have the guests load and run the dishwasher, take all their trash out to the cans and put all the used towels in the nearest tub.
Nothing else. Never had a single complaint and 90% do it right.
I have had folks miss a trash can under a bathroom sink or forget to start the dishwasher, but it is pretty rare.
Most people, me included, feel that I am staying in someones home so i do the extra stuff that is asked. No big.
But do you charge me money when I am staying in your home as a guest? We've stayed at STRs all over the country and generally we will do the simple things like pack our stuff, be out on time and not steal anything.
My wife puts the coffee mugs in the sink and I take our things to the car. I get to do enough chores at home, I don't expect to do them on vacation and pay for the privilege of cleaning your house. ;-)The cleaning fee you charged me when I booked the place covers the cleaning, right?
Well, then you don't get to stay at our place! The things I ask take 10 minutes to do. They are simple things that all our guests have been happy to do.
I am sticking with how we do things. All 5 star reviews says I am doing it right.
I think you leave any place you stay a complete mess because you are on vacation. Being on vacation doesn't negate personal responsibility.
I agree with you on the personal responsibility thing. The only thing I really have to add here is that I think your guests do those things because you have responsible guests staying at your home, not because you ask them to do it. I'm not saying asking doesn't help, just that people are either slobs and jerks or they are not. No one asks me to leave the house reasonably neat when I stay at one, I just do it because I don't want to leave their place a slobhole. Of course I'm not going to dust or vacuum the house, scrub the tubs or anything like that. That is what a cleaning fee is for. But I'm not going to go out of my way to leave the place a hole - I take my food away from the fridge, I gather towels, take out our trash, etc.
Nevertheless, a slew of 5 star ratings means you probably don't have anything going wrong :)Skyline Properties - Investor · Scottsdale Austin Tuktoyaktuk · Member since 2021 · 4k+ posts · 4k+ votes4yIt's your place and you can do what you want. But, you have a disconnect in your business and are not service oriented.
Quote from @Michael Baum:
Quote from @Account Closed:
Quote from @Michael Baum:
I have the guests load and run the dishwasher, take all their trash out to the cans and put all the used towels in the nearest tub.
Nothing else. Never had a single complaint and 90% do it right.
I have had folks miss a trash can under a bathroom sink or forget to start the dishwasher, but it is pretty rare.
Most people, me included, feel that I am staying in someones home so i do the extra stuff that is asked. No big.
But do you charge me money when I am staying in your home as a guest? We've stayed at STRs all over the country and generally we will do the simple things like pack our stuff, be out on time and not steal anything.
My wife puts the coffee mugs in the sink and I take our things to the car. I get to do enough chores at home, I don't expect to do them on vacation and pay for the privilege of cleaning your house. ;-)The cleaning fee you charged me when I booked the place covers the cleaning, right?
Well, then you don't get to stay at our place! The things I ask take 10 minutes to do. They are simple things that all our guests have been happy to do.
I am sticking with how we do things. All 5 star reviews says I am doing it right.
I think you leave any place you stay a complete mess because you are on vacation. Being on vacation doesn't negate personal responsibility.
Why would I pay for cleaning and still have to clean? It's actually insulting.
We've stayed at innumerable hotels and I can't think of a single time I was asked to take the garbage out or to do the dishes or anything like that. It's an absurd thought.
And most importantly, you don't value my time. You assume I will have time to do your wishes and be pleased to do that. Well, you're not my dad, I don't work for you and I paid you for a service you refuse to provide by trying to make me do it for you. It's not yours to decide what I do with my time.
By the way, I take this stance because it caused friction at a family reunion Christmas at an expensive & very nice STR Lodge in Ashville a couple of seasons ago. It was the "simple" things you insist your employees, I mean "guests" were to do.
There were actual inconveniences and arguments over when and how to do the stated list. It was memorable, but not in the way the Host wanted and the review reflected that. No return visits to that one.
