AirBnB Owners - How's Business?

[Anonymous]

I will not use airbnb. the fees are outrageous, and you have no recourse if the host cancels at the last minute.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We own a house that we rent through AirBnB and through the resort where the house is located. There is a cleaning fee and the only thing we ask or the HOA asks is that the trash is put out and that the beds are stripped. Is that too much cleaning? We've only owned the place a year and we were booked all summer and we have a fair amount of reservations for the fall/winter. The place is only 3 hours away so we use it a few times during the winter and a bit in the summer too.

For us it depends on the type of trip we are taking. For our ski trips, we prefer a place with a kitchen. There is no need to go out for breakfast every day. We usually do ski in/out so we even go back for lunch some days. When we travel to a city we usually prefer a hotel. When we are doing a family vacation, we do an AirBnB for the convenience with the munchkin.

So here's the thing - if you're really asking. If you're charging me a cleaning fee, presumably someone is coming in and cleaning right? So why am I taking out the trash? Why am I stripping the beds, running the dishwasher, putting towels in the washer, etc.? I mean - I'm on vacation. It got to be too much. And then I'd go in and half the time they weren't ready for me on check in time, and the "cleaning" wasn't done and now I have to go around and spot clean to feel comfortable.

Not to mention the extra fees, and the cameras. Oh the cameras! So anytime I'm in a "common" (very loosely defined) area, you have a camera watching me and recording all my conversations. It's very weird and uncomfortable for me.

I used to use them all the time - they were cheaper and nicer and I liked the kitchen option. I've since started renting hotel rooms with a kitchenette. No more exorbitant fees and cheaper.

I'm sorry but the cleaning companies set the prices and I can guarantee you our cleaners are much more thorough then any hotel one. We require you to leave used towels and beds out so they know which to replace. As for trash we never make guests take it out. Dishes we just say run the last load. We also never have issues w/ checkin/checkout since we've contracted a turnaround time. you might have gotten by bad airbnb hosts. Also the reviews really make sure that we do the best for our guests where as a hotel they don't do anything because you can't individually review them.

Um, hotels switch out everything instead of trying to guess what has been used

[Anonymous]

My family has been using vacation rental agencies for years, so I am well acquainted with the check out to do lists. No problem here taking out trash, stripping beds, putting furniture back where I found it, and starting the dishwasher. I’m even OK doing a quick sweep or turning up the AC. But that’s it - I’m not paying you $300 for the privilege of cleaning your toilets or spending my last day of my vacation doing your laundry. The rental agencies don’t tack on these fees, they build them into the rental price or eat them as the cost of doing business, and you should too.

The other thing is the scams- Airbnb is definitely hiding bad reviews and they are clear they are not going to protect you against a crap accommodation, creep landlord, or scam. You are truly in the Wild West with people who have had no reasonable person as an intermediary in the middle of an unknown place where you may not even speak the language. No thanks.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My family has been using vacation rental agencies for years, so I am well acquainted with the check out to do lists. No problem here taking out trash, stripping beds, putting furniture back where I found it, and starting the dishwasher. I’m even OK doing a quick sweep or turning up the AC. But that’s it - I’m not paying you $300 for the privilege of cleaning your toilets or spending my last day of my vacation doing your laundry. The rental agencies don’t tack on these fees, they build them into the rental price or eat them as the cost of doing business, and you should too.

The other thing is the scams- Airbnb is definitely hiding bad reviews and they are clear they are not going to protect you against a crap accommodation, creep landlord, or scam. You are truly in the Wild West with people who have had no reasonable person as an intermediary in the middle of an unknown place where you may not even speak the language. No thanks.

I worked for a rental agency and gues what, they don't even clean the places, they just vacuum and make the beds. I can't believe you would paint all hosts in this light, we have a full service checkout you don't need to do anything but leave your towels on the floor and keep the beds messy. SAD

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We own a house that we rent through AirBnB and through the resort where the house is located. There is a cleaning fee and the only thing we ask or the HOA asks is that the trash is put out and that the beds are stripped. Is that too much cleaning? We've only owned the place a year and we were booked all summer and we have a fair amount of reservations for the fall/winter. The place is only 3 hours away so we use it a few times during the winter and a bit in the summer too.

For us it depends on the type of trip we are taking. For our ski trips, we prefer a place with a kitchen. There is no need to go out for breakfast every day. We usually do ski in/out so we even go back for lunch some days. When we travel to a city we usually prefer a hotel. When we are doing a family vacation, we do an AirBnB for the convenience with the munchkin.

So here's the thing - if you're really asking. If you're charging me a cleaning fee, presumably someone is coming in and cleaning right? So why am I taking out the trash? Why am I stripping the beds, running the dishwasher, putting towels in the washer, etc.? I mean - I'm on vacation. It got to be too much. And then I'd go in and half the time they weren't ready for me on check in time, and the "cleaning" wasn't done and now I have to go around and spot clean to feel comfortable.

Not to mention the extra fees, and the cameras. Oh the cameras! So anytime I'm in a "common" (very loosely defined) area, you have a camera watching me and recording all my conversations. It's very weird and uncomfortable for me.

I used to use them all the time - they were cheaper and nicer and I liked the kitchen option. I've since started renting hotel rooms with a kitchenette. No more exorbitant fees and cheaper.

I'm sorry but the cleaning companies set the prices and I can guarantee you our cleaners are much more thorough then any hotel one. We require you to leave used towels and beds out so they know which to replace. As for trash we never make guests take it out. Dishes we just say run the last load. We also never have issues w/ checkin/checkout since we've contracted a turnaround time. you might have gotten by bad airbnb hosts. Also the reviews really make sure that we do the best for our guests where as a hotel they don't do anything because you can't individually review them.

Um, hotels switch out everything instead of trying to guess what has been used

ABSOLUTLEY NOT. Hotels only switch out what is used, you are a fool if you believe that.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We own a house that we rent through AirBnB and through the resort where the house is located. There is a cleaning fee and the only thing we ask or the HOA asks is that the trash is put out and that the beds are stripped. Is that too much cleaning? We've only owned the place a year and we were booked all summer and we have a fair amount of reservations for the fall/winter. The place is only 3 hours away so we use it a few times during the winter and a bit in the summer too.

For us it depends on the type of trip we are taking. For our ski trips, we prefer a place with a kitchen. There is no need to go out for breakfast every day. We usually do ski in/out so we even go back for lunch some days. When we travel to a city we usually prefer a hotel. When we are doing a family vacation, we do an AirBnB for the convenience with the munchkin.

So here's the thing - if you're really asking. If you're charging me a cleaning fee, presumably someone is coming in and cleaning right? So why am I taking out the trash? Why am I stripping the beds, running the dishwasher, putting towels in the washer, etc.? I mean - I'm on vacation. It got to be too much. And then I'd go in and half the time they weren't ready for me on check in time, and the "cleaning" wasn't done and now I have to go around and spot clean to feel comfortable.

Not to mention the extra fees, and the cameras. Oh the cameras! So anytime I'm in a "common" (very loosely defined) area, you have a camera watching me and recording all my conversations. It's very weird and uncomfortable for me.

I used to use them all the time - they were cheaper and nicer and I liked the kitchen option. I've since started renting hotel rooms with a kitchenette. No more exorbitant fees and cheaper.

I'm sorry but the cleaning companies set the prices and I can guarantee you our cleaners are much more thorough then any hotel one. We require you to leave used towels and beds out so they know which to replace. As for trash we never make guests take it out. Dishes we just say run the last load. We also never have issues w/ checkin/checkout since we've contracted a turnaround time. you might have gotten by bad airbnb hosts. Also the reviews really make sure that we do the best for our guests where as a hotel they don't do anything because you can't individually review them.

Um, hotels switch out everything instead of trying to guess what has been used

ABSOLUTLEY NOT. Hotels only switch out what is used, you are a fool if you believe that.

oh and you don't get new towels every day

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My family has been using vacation rental agencies for years, so I am well acquainted with the check out to do lists. No problem here taking out trash, stripping beds, putting furniture back where I found it, and starting the dishwasher. I’m even OK doing a quick sweep or turning up the AC. But that’s it - I’m not paying you $300 for the privilege of cleaning your toilets or spending my last day of my vacation doing your laundry. The rental agencies don’t tack on these fees, they build them into the rental price or eat them as the cost of doing business, and you should too.

The other thing is the scams- Airbnb is definitely hiding bad reviews and they are clear they are not going to protect you against a crap accommodation, creep landlord, or scam. You are truly in the Wild West with people who have had no reasonable person as an intermediary in the middle of an unknown place where you may not even speak the language. No thanks.

I worked for a rental agency and gues what, they don't even clean the places, they just vacuum and make the beds. I can't believe you would paint all hosts in this light, we have a full service checkout you don't need to do anything but leave your towels on the floor and keep the beds messy. SAD

Ok? I don’t know what to tell you. More than once I’ve gotten there early and could see the cleaners coming out with their wet mops and spray bottles. I keep my house pretty close to spotless and I know what surface clean looks and smells like.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I will not use airbnb. the fees are outrageous, and you have no recourse if the host cancels at the last minute.

AirBnB at least seems to recognize this is a problem - they now penalize owners if they cancel a reservation, charging them the cost of the trip.

[Anonymous]

I'm an avid airbnb-er, have stayed in 8 in the past year alone (international and domestic).

I am growing increasingly frustrated like others said- with the fees, strict cancelation policies, and not knowing what you're actually going to get. Will the bed be comfortable, how many pillows (I have chronic pain and use multiple pillows to sleep).

Last year I stayed in one, it snowed a ton, the snow removal service didnt come (the host didnt think it would be that bad) and we had to dig ourselves out to leave. He did offer us some compensation which was nice but the whole situation was awkward. I hate having to ask for things and worry about how you'll be rated. We have no stays currently booked (unusual for us- DINKS) and I was looking for some over the next few months but not finding anything I like that's a reasonable price.

A plus is we like bringing our dog to them.

Also, airbnb has totally messed up the housing market

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My family has been using vacation rental agencies for years, so I am well acquainted with the check out to do lists. No problem here taking out trash, stripping beds, putting furniture back where I found it, and starting the dishwasher. I’m even OK doing a quick sweep or turning up the AC. But that’s it - I’m not paying you $300 for the privilege of cleaning your toilets or spending my last day of my vacation doing your laundry. The rental agencies don’t tack on these fees, they build them into the rental price or eat them as the cost of doing business, and you should too.

The other thing is the scams- Airbnb is definitely hiding bad reviews and they are clear they are not going to protect you against a crap accommodation, creep landlord, or scam. You are truly in the Wild West with people who have had no reasonable person as an intermediary in the middle of an unknown place where you may not even speak the language. No thanks.

who asked u to clean the toilet? Link?

[Anonymous]

let me tell you the STR business (if in the right area) can be a money maker for sure.

When we first started we were the only STR in our area. We were able to charge more a night for our 2:2 lake home in the midwest than what we paid beachfront on Oahu in a 5:3
I couldn't believe it. Then, others got wind. We still make 15% a year of the worth of the place, and have no mortgage, but dang, I wish I had a couple more.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I’ve been an Airbnb user for 6-7 years. I used to use it monthly, now I’ve used it twice in the past 12 months - once for a new place I’ll never stay at again, and once for my old faithful beach condo with a great owner. I’ve been full-time remote for 8 years, so the Covid/WFH situation did not influence me. Here’s my complaints and why I’m back in hotels:

1. Cleaning lists. I pay you a cleaning fee, don’t ask me to sweep, trash, laundry, etc.
2. Beds. These are not your personal homes/guest rooms anymore and it shows in the rickety bed frames and 8 inch foam mattress from Amazon.
3. Furniture in general. It’s not even ikea quality anymore, it’s the cheapest Walmart/Amazon college apt stuff now.
4. Check in/check out is inconvenient. Not that hotel hours are perfect, but at least I can drop my bag and get my bearings for the afternoon.
5. Stocking of the room/unit. Do I need coffee? Coffee filters? What size? Toilet paper? Hand soap? I don’t want to do it.

All of this, plus the fact that VRBO will do absolutely nothing to help you if the owner rips you off.

On top of which, I think higher end travel is just down overall due to the economy. I posted in the real estate forum that I think resort/second home prices are due for a correction, as I've been getting emails from rental agencies with offers for "special deals." One high end resort has spammed me with offers for a rental in a high end ski area for the Christmas holiday, & they are usually booked up 6 months in advance. There have been articles about the number of people who took out loans to buy rental properties based purely on their rental income during covid, and I suspect they're going to be some distress sales in the near future.

https://nationalmortgageprofessional.com/news/risky-mortgages-financing-vacation-home-empires

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I will not use airbnb. the fees are outrageous, and you have no recourse if the host cancels at the last minute.

AirBnB at least seems to recognize this is a problem - they now penalize owners if they cancel a reservation, charging them the cost of the trip.

Well, that's zero help to the renter who has arrived at their destination and has nowhere to stay.

[Anonymous]

Airbnb host here -- our bookings have basically dried up.

I think people aren't making travel plans right now. Many of them probably travelled over the summer (we were booked solid) so they got it out of their post-COVID system. Now inflation is real, the weather is changing, and they can wait to decide where they want to go next.

If it doesn't pick up after the holidays, I'll be concerned. For now, we're shutting our Airbnb down for the next month and traveling ourselves.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Airbnb host here -- our bookings have basically dried up.

I think people aren't making travel plans right now. Many of them probably travelled over the summer (we were booked solid) so they got it out of their post-COVID system. Now inflation is real, the weather is changing, and they can wait to decide where they want to go next.

If it doesn't pick up after the holidays, I'll be concerned. For now, we're shutting our Airbnb down for the next month and traveling ourselves.

I think there is something to this- it definitely describes our family. We made a winter break trip at the end of 2021 to see family we hadn't been able to see because of covid. We did a spring break 2022 trip, and a pretty big summer trip. We do have a summer 2023 trip in the plans, but likely nothing until then except for a weekend trip here or there.