Airbnb new rules - can't ask guests to wash up!

Reading this thread, I’m glad I choose a Premier Inn👍

GrandmaKT

Thanks for all the comments. Full disclosure, I have a small cottage that I let out via Airbnb. I am so pleased to see that most of you will happily put on the dishwasher when you leave and take out the rubbish. This is all I have ever asked or expected of my guests. Luckily,I have never charged a cleaning fee and never expect my guests to clean, strip beds, load the washing machine etc. and I hope the new Airbnb rules won't change anything!

I don't think it's asking too much for people to clean up after themselves and their dogs, but asking them to do actual 'cleaning' is a step too far.

What annoys me is having to pay a fee and also do the cleaning. A cleaning fee is a bit like adding postage charges or delivery fees to an order - people really want to know what something is going to cost them before costs are added on, and get annoyed when the charges differ.

We have recently had to pay a £99 delivery fee for new sofas, plus £150 to take the old ones away, on top of the already expensive costs of having the sofas made to order. We knew that bespoke furniture would be expensive, which makes the 'additional extras' (£250!!) feel more extortionate. Had it been added to the cost of the bespoke experience I would have felt happier about it, but seeing it added at the point of ordering was just annoying.

I know you don't add a cleaning fee, but maybe you could make that obvious to your guests? A set charge 'with cleaning included' or similar? And a dog-friendly environment that is free to all dogs (if appropriate)?

Thanks for your input Doodledog. Since earlier this year it is not possible to charge a separate cleaning fee on Airbnb anyway(I wish they would publicise this, as the message obviously hasn't got through to guests!)

My granddaughters went to one in a supposedly posh area of London after a long flight from Australia. It was filthy and the beds were unmade, old food left on plates and filthy floors. They had to ring the owner because it wasn’t liveable. Then they had to leave the place whilst they cleaned up. Disgusting. Luckily they only had a few nights there. The owner was very apologetic but you’d think he would have checked.

I really don't get that not checking the place after one party has left, how can an owner think it would be acceptable for the new people to come in and find it hadn't been cleaned and the beds haven't been changed? The owner/s couldn't possibly know how their accommodation had been left. Apologies wouldn't be good enough, the price would have to be reduced imo to reflect such a glaring and unacceptable oversight. Why are they even doing AirB&B would be a question I'd ask when they aren't fulfilling their part of the arrangement

I don’t believe an extra cleaning fee should ever be charged.

I think a big mistake that the owners often make is using a local cleaner to do the change overs if they can’t do it themselves.
You really need to have a professional company to do the work.

Our bookings go through to the cleaning company so they can schedule the change overs, we don't ever have to worry about someone getting the wrong date or not showing up.
Yes we pay more than we would if it was an individual but we want those 5* reviews and we want our guests to be happy.

Sago, we live 75 miles away from our holiday let. I employ a local cleaner and I can honestly say that she is fantastic! In 12 years she has never once let me down, her cleaning is first class and the cottage is always spotless. We get 5 starts every time. I trust her much more than I would a professional company and I like to handle the bookings myself.

GrandmaKT

Sago, we live 75 miles away from our holiday let. I employ a local cleaner and I can honestly say that she is fantastic! In 12 years she has never once let me down, her cleaning is first class and the cottage is always spotless. We get 5 starts every time. I trust her much more than I would a professional company and I like to handle the bookings myself.

We use a holiday cottage company who send the bookings through to the cleaning company and ourselves.

I prefer dealing with a professional company, on the few occasions things have been forgotten I have no qualms about contacting them!

Also they own all the bed linen and towels ( we select the quality ) so they take charge of all that side of things.

You are lucky to have found someone local and reliable, hang on to her!