Skyrocketing Airbnb cleaning fees (2024)

Content

• Breaking down the causes behind the increase in cleaning fees
• Airbnb cleaning fees in numbers
• How high cleaning fees affect Airbnb Hosts
• KwickTurn: A game-changer for Airbnb cleaning.

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As an Airbnb host for several years, I’ve seen the short-term rental market go through its ups and downs. From new trends to changes in guest expectations, adapting has always been key to keeping my listings competitive. However, there's one major change that's caught me (and many other hosts) off guard in recent years: the dramatic rise in cleaning fees. What was once a reasonable add-on has now become a significant cost, one that both hosts and guests have a hard time justifying.

Whether you’re a seasoned host or just starting out, you've probably noticed how cleaning fees are eating into profits. I’ve personally had to raise my nightly rates just to cover these increased costs, and let me tell you, it hasn’t been an easy decision. High fees turn off guests and impact bookings. So, what can we do? Enter KwickTurn, a platform I discovered that’s been a real lifesaver when it comes to managing cleaning costs while maintaining quality.

In this blog, I’m going to share insights into why cleaning fees have skyrocketed, the challenges this brings to us as hosts, and how KwickTurn provides a practical solution that connects hosts with affordable, transparent cleaning services.

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Breaking down the causes behind the increase in cleaning fees

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I remember when cleaning fees were a small consideration. You could hire a local cleaner for a decent rate, and the guests were more than happy to pay a reasonable amount for a spotless home. But these days, it seems like every booking is followed by an eye-popping cleaning bill.

So, what's behind this surge?

1. Labor Shortages and Increased Demand for Cleaners: With the short-term rental market booming, there's been an overwhelming demand for cleaners. Particularly here in South Florida, the shortage has been significant, as the raise of Airbnb offerings has skyrocketed. Fewer cleaners mean higher prices, as we all compete to get someone reliable between guest check-outs and check-ins.
2. Impact of Inflation and Rising Wages: Inflation has had its hand in just about everything, and cleaning services are no exception. The cost of living has gone up, which means cleaners are rightfully charging more to cover their expenses. But for us, it means watching cleaning fees skyrocket while trying to maintain profitability.
3. Post-Pandemic Sanitation Requirements: COVID-19 changed the cleaning game entirely. What used to be a basic sweep and mop has now turned into full-on disinfection routines. Hosts are expected to provide ultra-clean spaces that meet higher health and safety standards, leading to more time spent cleaning—and higher fees.
4. Limited Cleaner Availability: With the Remote work opportunities after the pandemic, the US experienced an increased migration trends where people are fleeing high cost of living states and moving to more affordable ones with lower costs of living and income taxes. This has increased the 'luxury' tier living and pulling more cleaners out of the market paying premium for their services.

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Airbnb cleaning fees in numbers

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According to a 2024 analysis by The Wall Street Journal, cleaning fees for Airbnb listings have increased by nearly 20% since 2019. Budget short-term rentals charged an average rate of $201 a night from January through July, a 13% increase from last year, an AirDNA analysis of U.S. short-term rentals shows. Luxury properties charged an average rate of $558 a night, a 6% decrease from 2023.

In 2021, a report from AirDNA found that approximately 85% of Airbnb listings charge a cleaning fee. The remaining 15% either absorb the cleaning costs into the nightly rate or offer it as part of a premium service.

Cleaning fees also surged due to increased sanitation standards post-COVID-19. According to a report by Transparent, Airbnb hosts raised cleaning fees by 15-25% from 2020 to 2021 to cover the costs of enhanced cleaning protocols and personal protective equipment.

The fees range broadly based on location and size of the property, according to AirDNA. Average cleaning fees for one-bedroom properties went from $59 in 2020 to $73 in 2022, while the average cleaning fee for a property with at least five bedrooms in a coastal destination is $410.

A 2022 study by AllTheRooms found that cleaning fees can vary significantly based on location. For example:

• Los Angeles: Average cleaning fee is around $175 per booking.
• Miami: Cleaning fees average $135 per booking.
• New York City: Some listings charge over $200 for cleaning, especially for larger properties.

A 2023 NerdWallet survey showed that 45% of Airbnb guests have reconsidered or canceled a booking due to high cleaning fees. In fact, cleaning fees were listed as one of the top frustrations for short-term rental guests, often exceeding 20-30% of the total booking cost.

It's important to remember that not only guests are suffering from these skyrocketing Airbnb cleaning fees, but also they severely impact Hosts competitiveness in the market.

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How high cleaning fees affect Airbnb Hosts

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As cleaning fees rise, we’re left with a tough choice; pass the cost onto guests or absorb the fees ourselves and watch our profits dwindle. Neither option is ideal, right?

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• Eroding Profit Margins: Between Airbnb service fees, property maintenance, increased property insurance costs and now soaring cleaning costs, many hosts, including myself, have seen our profit margins shrink significantly. What was once a lucrative income stream now feels like a balancing act of managing costs while trying to stay competitive.
• Guest Complaints and Lower Ratings Due to High Fees: Guests are more aware of fees than ever before. I’ve had multiple guests mention that the cleaning fees were too high, which affects their overall satisfaction, even if the stay itself was perfect. A few negative reviews can lower your overall rating, impacting future bookings and the all mighty sought after Superhost status, that by the way, achieving superhost status is still possible, with just a few steps.
• Struggling to Maintain Competitive Pricing: In highly saturated markets, keeping prices competitive is crucial. However, if your cleaning fees are higher than nearby listings, guests will likely book elsewhere. Balancing cleaning costs with affordable nightly rates can be an ongoing challenge.

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KwickTurn: A game-changer for Airbnb cleaning

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After months of frustration and feeling like I was losing more money than I was making, I stumbled upon KwickTurn. I’ll be honest, I was skeptical at first, but it’s been a game-changer for me as a host. KwickTurn is a platform designed to help hosts like us connect with local cleaners at affordable rates, all while automating the entire turnover process.

Here’s a quick breakdown of how it works:

• Syncs with Airbnb Calendars: I no longer have to manually schedule cleaners for every booking. KwickTurn syncs with my Airbnb calendar and generates cleaning projects automatically based on new bookings. It’s seamless, and I never worry about overlapping bookings or late cleanings.
• Automatic Project Creation and Payments: Once a project is generated, I don’t have to worry about scheduling or payments. KwickTurn takes care of it all, it notifies my cleaner about the project, it keeps me posted when my cleaner works on the project and when it's finishes, along with all the pre-post-cleaning pictures and it also automatically processes payments, so I can focus on my guests, not my cleaners.
• Transparent Pricing: With the KwickTurn Pricing model, engaging with a cleaner turns into an 'Amazon like' experience. I can see all cleaners available around my area and see what each would charge for a turnover cleaning for my property right out of the gate. No more bidding wars and no more negotiations, it's all in the clear and I can decide which one to hire based on their reviews, experience, availability, etc.

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The KwickTurn Pricing Model: A Transparent Solution to Rising Fees

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One of the most unique features that drew me to KwickTurn is what they call the KwickTurn Price. It’s a pricing model that ensures transparency for both hosts and cleaners.

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• How “The KwickTurn Price” Works: Instead of a one-size-fits-all cleaning fee, cleaners set their own rates based on specific property characteristics, such as the number of bedrooms, bathrooms, and the overall size of the space. This allows for competitive pricing that reflects the actual work involved rather than flat, inflated fees. Knowing exactly how much each cleaner would charge, reduces the guess work and bidding wars from the equation, I can clearly see how much each cleaner would charge for a turnover cleaning on my property.
• No Bidding Wars: What I love most about KwickTurn is the absence of bidding wars. Cleaners set a fair rates upfront, so I don’t have to worry about last-minute price hikes or getting blown up bids for my projects just because cleaners are used to hosts haggling on their pricing. It’s transparent, reliable, and stress-free for everyone.
• Connecting Hosts with Affordable Cleaners: KwickTurn gives me access to a wide pool of local cleaners, many of whom are more affordable than the big cleaning companies I used to rely on.
• Flexible Pricing Based on Property Characteristics: With cleaners setting rates based on property size and other factors, I’m not paying more than I need to. The KwickTurn price model is flexible, which has saved me money.

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As the trend of rising Airbnb cleaning fees continues, driven by increased operational costs and heightened cleanliness standards, both hosts and cleaners are facing new challenges. The growing complexity of managing these fees and maintaining high-quality service can be daunting. However, tools like KwickTurn are here to help. By streamlining the connection between hosts and cleaners, automating fee calculations, and ensuring fair pricing, KwickTurn helps both parties navigate this evolving landscape with ease. As we look to the future, leveraging technology will be crucial in adapting to these changes and ensuring a smooth, efficient process for all involved.