cleaning fee (2024)

A cleaning fee is a nonrefundable fee charged by a landlord when a tenant moves in. The landlord uses this fee to clean the rental premises after the tenant moves out, regardless of whether the tenant left the place dirty or not. While most states do not have laws on cleaning fees, there are some states which make it illegal to charge cleaning fees. Also, the few states which do provide for cleaning fees, allow it to be charged only insofar as is necessary to bring the premises to the condition it was in when the tenant moved in.

However, landlords in every state can collect a security deposit and deduct from it expenses for the damage caused to the rental property which goes beyond normal wear and tear.

[Last updated in June of 2021 by the Wex Definitions Team]

cleaning fee (2024)

FAQs

What does a cleaning fee include? ›

The cleaning fee is a charge added to the nightly booking fee that is used by the host to cover cleaning expenses. It can be used to pay for a cleaning service or simply to cover the cost of cleaning materials, time, and supplies.

Why is Airbnb cleaning fee so high? ›

The cleaning costs for Airbnb hosts are often higher than those for hotels because they likely can't take advantage of economies of scale. For example, hotels have commercial-size laundry machines. Plus, listings are typically spread out geographically, so there's the inefficiency of traveling miles between properties.

How do I get out of Airbnb cleaning fee? ›

The best way to go about this is to message the host and simply ask if they would be willing to refund some or all of the cleaning fee after your stay if you provide your own sheets and linens. It doesn't take much extra effort, and you would be surprised that hosts are pretty flexible when it comes to this.

Who gets the cleaning fee Airbnb? ›

A cleaning fee is a one-off charge for cleaning the space you stay in and is set by the Host. It's an extra amount on top of the nightly rate when you book a listing. This fee covers the extra expenses Hosts incur when getting their place ready for guests to arrive or after they leave.

How do you negotiate a cleaning fee? ›

Here are a few tips that can help you negotiate a fair price:
  1. Do your research. Before you start negotiating with the cleaning service provider, it's essential to do your research. ...
  2. Be Clear about Your Expectations. ...
  3. Be Flexible. ...
  4. Ask for a Trial Cleaning. ...
  5. Consider a Long-Term Contract. ...
  6. Be Willing to Walk Away.
Sep 5, 2023

How do you bill for cleaning services? ›

What does a cleaning invoice template need?
  1. The title “Invoice”
  2. An invoice number.
  3. The invoice issue date and due date.
  4. Your business's name and address.
  5. Your customer's name and address.
  6. A detailed description of the product(s) or service(s) being sold.
  7. The price and quantity of each item.
  8. Sales tax (if applicable)

What is the average cleaning fee on Vrbo? ›

Cleaning fees can differ drastically between each Vrbo, as cleaning service costs, square footage, and locations will vary. Cleaning fees may cost anywhere from $40 to $150 for the total stay, often depending on how large the rental property is.

Should I include cleaning fee on Airbnb? ›

Keep in mind that not all hosts charge guests a cleaning fee. Also, the hosts may charge separately or incorporate it into their nightly rates, depending on the host's decision. Some hosts strategically charge a cleaning fee to their guests in order to earn additional income and experiment with different amounts.

Can Airbnb host ask for more money for cleaning? ›

Cleaning fees usually depend on the size of the property, how clean it was when you left, and the market rate for such services in the area. It could be the case that the extra fees are a necessary cost of your stay and the Airbnb host is simply passing that cost onto you.

Can I claim cleaning my AirBnB? ›

Is it necessary to include cleaning fees when calculating gross income from AirBnB rentals? If you are paying income tax on the rental, it is certainly legal to overstate your income and pay more taxes. Cleaning fees and other expenses are legitimate deductions.

What does AirBnB cleaning include? ›

An Airbnb Cleaning Checklist: General Rules

Take out the trash. Wipe and sanitize high-touch areas like light switches, door handles and doorknobs, and the handles of cupboards. Vacuum and sanitize all the floors and carpets. Wash and change all the sheets and towels.

What is a normal cleaning fee for Airbnb? ›

What is the average Airbnb cleaning fee? The average cleaning fee on Airbnb is between $50 – $80, however, this average is somewhat misleading. With such a huge spectrum of listings from tiny rooms in shared houses, to opulent mansions with 10+ rooms, it's very hard to find an accurate average.

Am I responsible for cleaning Airbnb? ›

But who is responsible for cleaning an Airbnb property? The answer is simple: the host. It is the responsibility of the host to ensure that the property is clean and tidy for each guest that stays there. This includes everything from washing the sheets and towels to wiping down the counters and scrubbing the toilets.

Can you avoid Airbnb service fee? ›

It could be beneficial to encourage direct bookings if you already have a website for your rental property. You would be able to avoid paying the Airbnb service fee by doing this. You should be aware, though, that this also implies that you will not be using Airbnb's administrative or customer service.

Do you get the cleaning fee back? ›

The cleaning fee is a one-time charge that hosts add to the price of their listing for each booking to cover cleaning expenses. This fee is added to the overall price of the booking and is paid for by the guest(s). It is not a security deposit; the guests don't get their money back at the end of their stay.

What is a typical VRBO cleaning fee? ›

Cleaning fees can differ drastically between each Vrbo, as cleaning service costs, square footage, and locations will vary. Cleaning fees may cost anywhere from $40 to $150 for the total stay, often depending on how large the rental property is.

What is a normal cleaning fee on Airbnb? ›

The larger the property, the more labor-intensive it is to clean. That's why cleaning fees often correspond with property size. In 2023, the average cleaning fee in the U.S. for a private/shared room on Airbnb was just $48 per stay, while the average fee for a house with five bedrooms reached $303.

What is a hotel cleaning fee? ›

A hotel cleaning fee per stay is a charge that the hotel adds to your bill for the cost of cleaning and sanitizing your room during your stay. This fee helps cover costs associated with deep-cleaning, such as vacuuming, dusting, laundering linens and towels, and disinfecting surfaces.

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Greg O'Connell

Last Updated:

Views: 5695

Rating: 4.1 / 5 (62 voted)

Reviews: 93% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Greg O'Connell

Birthday: 1992-01-10

Address: Suite 517 2436 Jefferey Pass, Shanitaside, UT 27519

Phone: +2614651609714

Job: Education Developer

Hobby: Cooking, Gambling, Pottery, Shooting, Baseball, Singing, Snowboarding

Introduction: My name is Greg O'Connell, I am a delightful, colorful, talented, kind, lively, modern, tender person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.