Charge cleaning fee AND ask guests to clean?

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Charge cleaning fee AND ask guests to clean?

Justin SumulongPro Member
Investor · Chicago, IL · Member since 2015 · 38 posts · 15 votes

Hi STR investors,

  I'm genuinely curious/interested to know if it's typical to charge your guests a cleaning fee AND also ask them to do a list of things as "checkout procedure" like stripping beds of sheets, washing dishes/starting dishwasher, taking out garbage, etc.

Thanks,

Justin

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Theresa HarrisPro Member
Member since 2019 · 15k+ posts · 11k+ votes
3y

If I am paying a cleaning fee, I wouldn't expect to have to do any cleaning.  Doesn't mean I'd leave it a mess, but I wouldn't do things like strip a bed or take out the trash.

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  • Theresa HarrisPro Member
    Member since 2019 · 15k+ posts · 11k+ votes
    3y

    If I am paying a cleaning fee, I wouldn't expect to have to do any cleaning.  Doesn't mean I'd leave it a mess, but I wouldn't do things like strip a bed or take out the trash.

    10Reply
  • Brent Sweet
    Investor · Willard, MO · Member since 2022 · 26 posts · 22 votes
    3y
    Quote from @Justin Sumulong:

    Hi STR investors,

      I'm genuinely curious/interested to know if it's typical to charge your guests a cleaning fee AND also ask them to do a list of things as "checkout procedure" like stripping beds of sheets, washing dishes/starting dishwasher, taking out garbage, etc.

    Thanks,

    Justin

     I don't.   It's funny I just argued with a cleaning service over this.  They had bid on my jobs before reading my checklist.  Then she contacted me and said before they go in the guest needs to have stripped the beds and started a load of laundry.   I said no you bid on the job and the checklist literally states you strip beds and wash bedding.   She responded I can't do that can I be removed from the job?  Yes, you sure can...  bye.  I think is asinine as a traveler that I pay a cleaning fee and then I have to take out the trash, replace the liner, strip the beds, start the laundry.   INSANE.  Only thing I require is dishes be done.

    6Reply
  • Dave StokleyBusiness Member
    Property Manager · Cleveland, OH · Member since 2015 · 705 posts · 799 votes
    3y

    We ask people to do the dishes because it helps keep our cleaning fees down, and take out the trash because we don't want ants. Don't think it's a big ask, and anyone with a shred of respect for their host would do this as a guest anyway.

    8Reply
  • John UnderwoodPro Member
    Investor · Greer, SC · Member since 2014 · 13k+ posts · 17k+ votes
    3y

    I have them start the dishwasher. Nothing more.

    4Reply
  • Nathan GesnerBusiness Member
    Moderator
    Real Estate Broker · Cody, WY · Member since 2010 · 28k+ posts · 41k+ votes
    3y

    It is increasingly common to charge a hefty cleaning fee and provide a list of things to do at check-out. It's one of the things turning me off from vacation rentals and I'm probably not the only one.

    I prefer the cleaning fee to cover the cost of cleaning. Too many Landlords see it as another profit center and gouge their guests, which is going to create backlash.

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    8Reply
  • Sarah KensingerPro Member
    Real Estate Consultant · OH · Member since 2023 · 2k+ posts · 1k+ votes
    3y

    After staying at around 30 STRs I can give you my 2 cents. Usually, we are up and out the door around 6:30-7 AM to start our drive...we drive pretty much everywhere. So, it's tough when I have a list of things to do before we leave with our small children. I totally understand taking the trash out and happily do that, but the places that give me a list of things to do I don't exactly appreciate, and we won't have guests do it. 

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    4Reply
  • Joel Case
    Rental Property Investor · Ocean Springs, MS · Member since 2022 · 349 posts · 301 votes
    3y

    It used to be common to charge a cleaning fee and ask guests to wash their dishes, take out the trash, and strip the beds. I do not see washing of the dishes going away, but I do see the other items less and less. I charge a cleaning fee and simply ask guests to do their dishes and put their trash into any of the provided trash cans. 

    3Reply
  • Bruce WoodruffPro Member
    Contractor/Investor/Consultant · San Diego / Phoenix · Member since 2021 · 12k+ posts · 15k+ votes
    3y

    We charge a minimal cleaning fee at our places ($60 - 65), but we expect the guests to leave the place picked up and clean (no trash all over the counters etc). We ask them to take out the trash and do their dishes (We don't mind putting away if necessary but that rarely happens).

    That should take a guest maybe 5 minutes. If they can't do that as a courtesy then I don't want them as a guest. I leave my hotels rooms this way so it shouldn't be a big deal.....

    1Reply
  • Brooklyn McCarty
    Investor · Member since 2022 · 1k+ posts · 754 votes
    3y

    No way! We ask guests to place their towels in the tub, bag up their trash, and lock the door 

    3Reply
  • Brian Barch
    Member since 2022 · 272 posts · 253 votes
    3y

    As a general rule, no, I’m not in favor of a cleaning fee, AND a checkout laundry list.


    I think some one off things can be location specific, like trash removal on a steep mountain road in bear country as one such instance where it may be appropriate to ask of the guest. 
    but by and large, guests are paying to NOT have to work on vacation, and my role is to be as hospitable as possible


    5Reply
  • Kevin G.
    Investor · Bay Area, CA · Member since 2020 · 72 posts · 43 votes
    3y
    Quote from @Brent Sweet:
    Quote from @Justin Sumulong:

    Hi STR investors,

      I'm genuinely curious/interested to know if it's typical to charge your guests a cleaning fee AND also ask them to do a list of things as "checkout procedure" like stripping beds of sheets, washing dishes/starting dishwasher, taking out garbage, etc.

    Thanks,

    Justin

     I don't.   It's funny I just argued with a cleaning service over this.  They had bid on my jobs before reading my checklist.  Then she contacted me and said before they go in the guest needs to have stripped the beds and started a load of laundry.   I said no you bid on the job and the checklist literally states you strip beds and wash bedding.   She responded I can't do that can I be removed from the job?  Yes, you sure can...  bye.  I think is asinine as a traveler that I pay a cleaning fee and then I have to take out the trash, replace the liner, strip the beds, start the laundry.   INSANE.  Only thing I require is dishes be done.


    Good for you! This type of new behavior from STR hosts for guests to complete a laundry list of things to do before check out is ridiculous. This is suppose to be a vacation home after all and asking guests to clean like that is crazy...

    2Reply
  • Kevin G.
    Investor · Bay Area, CA · Member since 2020 · 72 posts · 43 votes
    3y

    I recently stayed in two Airbnbs in Japan. Both did not charge a cleaning fee AND there was not a long list of chores to do before I checked out. Only thing that was required was to bag up the trash. Much different than the U.S that's for sure...

    3Reply
  • Collin HaysBusiness Member
    Property Manager · Gatlinburg, TN · Member since 2020 · 3k+ posts · 4k+ votes
    3y
    Quote from @Justin Sumulong:

    Hi STR investors,

      I'm genuinely curious/interested to know if it's typical to charge your guests a cleaning fee AND also ask them to do a list of things as "checkout procedure" like stripping beds of sheets, washing dishes/starting dishwasher, taking out garbage, etc.

    Thanks,

    Justin


    This reminds me of when my wife asks me to help clean up the house before the housekeeper comes.  ;)

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    3Reply
  • Michael BaumPro Member
    Olympia, WA · Member since 2016 · 8k+ posts · 7k+ votes
    3y

    So we ask the guests to place the used towels in the nearest tub, load and run the dishwasher and take out all the trash to the can.

    I have never had anyone complain about it. It takes maybe 5-10 minutes to do it. Running the dishwasher is paramount so it is on the way before laundry starts. Makes it easier to get things completed and helps the next guests to get in as early as possible.

    2Reply
  • Patricia Steiner
    Real Estate Broker · Hyde Park Tampa, FL · Member since 2019 · 2k+ posts · 3k+ votes
    3y

    Fact:  Guests don't work for you.  They pay a cleaning fee - not to have the right to clean someone else' property - but to have someone else clean.  

    And, unless you're their mother, no to-do lists.

    I can tell you need a vacation...go have fun.

    5Reply
  • Rosa Regier
    Investor · Austin, TX · Member since 2015 · 73 posts · 54 votes
    3y

    After reading all posts, I still believe it's not going to change my occupancy rates if I ask our guests to:

    -pick up their trash (vacation or not, why wouldn't you-seriously, how messy are you)

    -load the dishwasher (why would you live with food spoiling on dishes when you're expecting to have a relaxing time w/o the rotting smells)

    -place used towels in the washer (odor & mold issues)

    This is plain ole pick up after yourself stuff. We don't plan on setting an exorbitant cleaning fee. We're definitely not in business to make money off the cleaning fees.

    6Reply
  • Michael BaumPro Member
    Olympia, WA · Member since 2016 · 8k+ posts · 7k+ votes
    3y

    I was just thinking of the last trip we took to Sedona to check out properties. We stayed at a hotel instead of a STR due to prices. We stayed in Flagstaff.

    Just before we left for PHX, I tossed all the towels in the tub and bagged all the trash into one bag.

    I have trained myself!

    5Reply
  • Dave Skow
    Lender · Seattle, WA · Member since 2014 · 2k+ posts · 899 votes
    3y

    @Justin Sumulong-  I think its  OK to charge a  realistic ( lower than the norm )  cleaning fee and ask for help setting up the unit for the cleaner   (  I would pass on the  stripping beds  request)

    2Reply
  • Bud Gaffney
    Rental Property Investor · Boston, MA · Member since 2019 · 2k+ posts · 1k+ votes
    3y

    You can't have both lol. Most tenants will be respectful, but they're not going to clean...

    1Reply
  • Kai Kopsch
    Real Estate Broker · Charlotte, NC · Member since 2016 · 569 posts · 351 votes
    3y

    How important are good ratings for you? I just stayed at a place where the cleaning fee was $175 + 95 Service fee, and I was asked to do laundry and make the dishes. Best of all drive the trash to the next dumpster! The owner wondered why I was so unhappy howling trash in my small 2-seater convertible and paying his cleaning crew. 

    1Reply
  • Bruce WoodruffPro Member
    Contractor/Investor/Consultant · San Diego / Phoenix · Member since 2021 · 12k+ posts · 15k+ votes
    3y

    Here's the disconnect I think.....Asking a guest to do the following: 1) leave your place relatively neat, 2) Don't leave dirty dishes with food on them, 3) take the trash out to the trashcan outside the back door, 4) throw the soiled linens on the bath floor.....Can hardly be called 'cleaning'........

    4Reply
  • Leslie Anne Morris
    Real Estate Agent · Smoky Mountains, TN · Member since 2022 · 1k+ posts · 984 votes
    3y

    Dishes and trash only over here too. 

    3Reply
  • Sarah KensingerPro Member
    Real Estate Consultant · OH · Member since 2023 · 2k+ posts · 1k+ votes
    3y
    Quote from @Bruce Woodruff:

    Here's the disconnect I think.....Asking a guest to do the following: 1) leave your place relatively neat, 2) Don't leave dirty dishes with food on them, 3) take the trash out to the trashcan outside the back door, 4) throw the soiled linens on the bath floor.....Can hardly be called 'cleaning'........

    I think you're on to something! For me that's normal everyday habits, but unfortunately I know for many it's not! 
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    1Reply
  • Bruce WoodruffPro Member
    Contractor/Investor/Consultant · San Diego / Phoenix · Member since 2021 · 12k+ posts · 15k+ votes
    3y
    Quote from @Sarah Kensinger:
    Quote from @Bruce Woodruff:

    Here's the disconnect I think.....Asking a guest to do the following: 1) leave your place relatively neat, 2) Don't leave dirty dishes with food on them, 3) take the trash out to the trashcan outside the back door, 4) throw the soiled linens on the bath floor.....Can hardly be called 'cleaning'........

    I think you're on to something! For me that's normal everyday habits, but unfortunately I know for many it's not! 

    For the mass of the population, maybe not. But people that travel a lot, and stay in STRs are a different breed. Not to be generalizing but..... actually I don't care....STR travelers are a slightly more evolved class of people. I have had hundreds of guests with zero issues regarding the cleaning.....

    4Reply
  • January Johnson
    Real Estate Agent · Emerald Coast, FL · Member since 2016 · 820 posts · 486 votes
    3y

    I used to ask guests to start a load of laundry (TOWELS, PLEASE) since I live in a beach market and bath towels + beach towels + sheets + kitchen towels = a lot of laundry.  Now I just have extras of everything, and the housekeeper manages the swap over and laundry off site.

    I don't ask them to strip beds anymore because a lot of damage can be hidden in a pile of sheets.  I'd rather the housekeeper be able to see and address the damages (urine, blood, food stains, tears), so they handle beds for me now.

    I DO ask guests to run the dishwasher ("even a partial load is fine") and take out the trash (ANTS! SMELL!).  But I let them know I'm asking them to do this out of courtesy, and that no task is mandatory.

    I've been an Airbnb guest for the past 10 years and a host for 9.  It's not a big problem and I don't ding anyone who DOESN'T do these things, but I always look for a way to help the housekeepers when I stay at others' property, and it's not out of line to at least ASK.  

    3Reply
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