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shari
Select Nomad
Posts: 13048
Registered: 3-10-2006
Location: bahia asuncion, baja sur
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Mood: there is no reality except the one contained within us "Herman Hesse"
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Cleaning fees on rentals...normal???
On a post on this board I see the rental fee was $45 with a $25 cleaning fee
We are new at this accomodation world and would like some input from you wise Nomads. My business consultant Iflyfishwhennotconsulting told me a
cleaning fee was normal and a good idea...and I would like to know what others think. thanks for ;your input.
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Bajagypsy
Super Nomad
Posts: 1416
Registered: 8-31-2006
Location: BahÃa Asuncion BCS
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Mood: Living the dream
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I totaly would charge a cleaning fee. How many times have people left your place in a mess? Your time is worth money honey!!
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Paula
Super Nomad
Posts: 2219
Registered: 1-5-2006
Location: Loreto
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Shari, are you talking about a long term rental or by the day or week? And are you thinking of a cleaning fee or a cleaning deposit?
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neilmac
Nomad
Posts: 127
Registered: 1-3-2005
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Hard to say.....
I really think that's just a way to say they rent for $45, instead of $70... problem is, I think people are more likely to leave the place dirty if
they figure they've already paid to have it cleaned up.
Not ME, of course! <G>
Neil
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shari
Select Nomad
Posts: 13048
Registered: 3-10-2006
Location: bahia asuncion, baja sur
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Mood: there is no reality except the one contained within us "Herman Hesse"
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Uh huh...good point. You have to clean anyway even if they leave it fairly clean...I'm impressed with how clean folks DO leave our rooms but it's a
chinga to clean the whole place especially if guests only stay a couple of nights. Maybe a low fee like $15 would be a good compromise.
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bajajudy
Elite Nomad
Posts: 6886
Registered: 10-4-2004
Location: San Jose del Cabo,BCS
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Personally, I would think that if you need to charge for cleaning, you should add it into the price of the place. What will you do if someone
says....oh dont worry I will clean it myself. Over the long run it will probably balance out between the people who leave it clean and the ones who
dont.
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toneart
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 4901
Registered: 7-23-2006
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Mood: Skeptical
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Shari,
How about a cleaning deposit? That would give guests an incentive to clean it themselves before they leave. Some will like the opportunity to save
some money and some will not want to bother and consequently, forfeit the deposit. You could discuss the options as they check in so that there are no
misunderstandings.
I think $25.00 is a hefty % in relation the the $45.00 room rate.
You might want to build in your actual cost, which is probably less than $25.00. Of course, if they are staying a week, then the $25.00 charge makes
sense. I realize you are using figures you saw on another post and perhaps your rates would be different, perhaps making the cleaning fee more in line
with the cost of the room.
Hey, my avatar seems to have slipped off.
[Edited on 5-18-2007 by toneart]
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bajalou
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 4459
Registered: 3-11-2004
Location: South of the broder
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I would think twice about staying anywhere that charged a cleaning fee in addition to the room rate for a 1 or 2 night stay. Cleaning should be part
of the daily rate. Now a week or more stay is a different story. If you have weekly rates, then some cleaning fee might be in order. I would pay
cleaning fees for apartments, not motels.
No Bad Days
\"Never argue with an idiot. People watching may not be able to tell the difference\"
\"The trouble with doing nothing is - how do I know when I\'m done?\"
Nomad Baja Interactive map
And in the San Felipe area - check out Valle Chico area |
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vandenberg
Elite Nomad
Posts: 5118
Registered: 6-21-2005
Location: Nopolo
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Mood: mellow
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Shari,
Bad idea, smells like greediness. Will put off many potential customers. Cleaning the place is a part of doing business.
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fdt
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 4059
Registered: 9-7-2003
Location: Tijuana, Baja California
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Mood: Yeah, what if it all goes right
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Having managed several properties, from hotels and condos, in México and the US, the cleaning is part of the rate. Guests expect a clean room, house,
condo, etc. upon arrival. Some properties might not provide daily maid service, clean linens or even a bar of soap as would probably be the case with
vacation rentals, so you can offer it at an additional cost along with other services such as in your case probably full maid service that would
include dish washing or laundry for extended stays. I don't know what your particular case is so you might want to figure out how much you want to pay
some of the ladies in town to provide this service for your guests if you were to be asked for it. What I do suggest you do is charge a cleaning or
security and key deposit for cases when the just trash the place, break a window, tear up furniture or just happen to pack your coffe maker or blender
or even television set along with their belongings at time of departure or just forget to return the key (everything is of cost to you) believe me,
I've seen it all. This deposit of course would be fully refundable if everything is left satisfactory and only the normal cleaning has to be done and
that I strongly believe should be incorporated into your rate.
[Edited on 5-18-2007 by fdt]
A well informed Baja California traveler is a smart Baja California traveler!
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roundtuit
Senior Nomad
Posts: 607
Registered: 12-21-2004
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Mood: Wife's Job
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"Any excessive cleaning required after your departure of pet hair, urine etc. will be charged to your credit card at the rate of $25.00/ hr. Any
damaged items will be charged at replacement costs."
Shari I live near a large lake in Ca .Our main revenue is tourism, there are many rental cabins here. This is the only referance to cleaning I could
find on any of the sites
http://www.shastalake.com/cabins/index.html
I agree with Vandenberg
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MrBillM
Platinum Nomad
Posts: 21656
Registered: 8-20-2003
Location: Out and About
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Mood: It's a Zip-a-Dee-Doo-Dah Day
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Fees versus Deposits
Wherever I've travelled, the usual standard has been that NO Cleaning fees or deposits are charged on daily rentals. On longer term rentals, the
standard has usually been a Refundable Deposit which I have always gotten back.
The problem with a Fee is that the renter feels justified in leaving the place filthy. A Deposit is more likely to encourage better behavior on the
part of the renters.
When chartering a sailboat in the Caribbean more than once I encountered both schemes and one charter company I leased from went from a deposit to a
fee and then back to a deposit when the boats were coming back a mess.
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burro bob
Nomad
Posts: 264
Registered: 3-15-2004
Location: Poblado del Ejido Plan National Agrario
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Shari
A cleaning deposit is appropriate for a long term rental. A cleaning fee for a nightly /weekly rental is not. A damage/cleaning deposit for groups or
family reunions is normal. If there is no damage and only a normal mess then the deposit is returned.
I think a cleaning fee would encourage more people to leave your property trashed. They will think "I am paying extra for cleanup so lets party and to
hell with the mess."
If the renters are leaving that big a mess for you to clean then that is a form of vandalism, big messes are not normal.
My family used to own a small motel in Colorado. Many of the units had hot tubs. We had to post written rules for each hot tub and remind younger
renters and those in large groups about unacceptable behavior. And yes on a couple of occasions we had to threaten to call the police and have
vandalism charges filed before the bums payed up.
Unfortunately many people think they are renting the right to trash your property (they have watched too many movies with Sean Penn). I have seen the
aftermath of spring break at hotels in San Felipe. Many people come to Baja to let it all hang out so perhaps you are experiencing more trashing than
normal.
I am sure that most of your renters do not cause you any problems but the few that do cause real headaches. I would try a soulution that targets the
problem renters rather than everybody. Use a damage deposit.
burro bob
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Diver
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 4729
Registered: 11-15-2004
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If you are talking rental houses like your beach house(s), it is typical to add a separate cleaning fee. We rent a large house on the beach in Oregon
for $120 per night and a $50 cleaning fee - no matter how long you stay. In the US and Candia, this is the acceptible norm for rental homes.
You need to decide if you are running a hotel, a B&B or renting resort homes.
If you want to try a hybrid, maybe consider a 3 or 4-night fixed rate with an additional fee for additional days and a one-time cleaning fee.
For those staying less than the minimum 3 or 4 days, you would have a daily "hotel" rate which would have cleaning built-in.
For example;
If a 4 night package was $160 plus a $25 cleaning fee (or stated as $175 with cleaning built-in) and additional nights at $40 -$45 per night.
The hotel rate might be $60 per night with cleaning built-in.
Rates for B&B services would be more or a-la-carte.
Gotta cover your costs, one way or another.
Better get Lupita and her daughter to do the cleaning !
They must be the fastest/best cleaners in Baja !!
Do they do campers !! 
(Please tell them Zack says, Hi !)
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zforbes
Nomad
Posts: 334
Registered: 4-11-2005
Location: Bahia Asuncion
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Mood: Living the dream
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Cleaning deposit
I used to work as a property manager for Coldwell Banker in Bodega Bay. Their standard policy was to charge a cleaning deposit which was refunded if
the place was reasonably clean and the trash was stashed where it belonged. Standard wear & tear, cleaning & linen laundry were considered to
be part of the rental price. The deposit was credited to the customers charge acct, usually on the day of departure after the cleaning crew had
inspected the property.
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Diver
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 4729
Registered: 11-15-2004
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I think Zoe's idea might be the easiest for you/your situation.
Just build the cleaning costs into the nightly price and require a cleaning deposit besides - for damages and excess cleaning.
Then you can discount the rooms for multiple nights if you want (when you save on the cleaning costs).
Has a much better marketing appeal to me. "Discounts" 
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David K
Honored Nomad
Posts: 64858
Registered: 8-30-2002
Location: San Diego County
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Mood: Have Baja Fever
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Shari, there is plenty of good advice above...
Think like one of your clients... how would you feel about extra charges when you stay at places?
You want to build your business, and that means turning on the smiles, word of mouth advertising... have fun with life, etc..
Has anyone trashed your places yet? I would think as far out as you are, that wouldn't happen like in a city resort such as San Felipe, where I would
expect it.
Charge what you wish, so the business is pleasurable, not a chore to maintain. Not too much $ so everyone decides to camp instead of stay in one of
your rooms... and not too little so you and Juan are unhappy for the return on your investment and labor.
IF you find you need to add a charge in case of costly damage or messes then a 'refundable security/ cleaning deposit' instead of a 'cleaning fee
added on' seems more friendly to me.
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fishbuck
Banned
Posts: 5318
Registered: 8-31-2006
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Hey Shari, check out this webpage. My friends in SQ have been renting their guest house for a couple of years. It's always booked so they seem to know
what their doing. If you email Susie she may be able to answer some question too.
Vacation Rental, Bay Front, Baja, Mexico
Address:http://www.billgrandstaff.com/getaway/
[Edited on 5-18-2007 by fishbuck]
"A ship in harbor is safe, but that is not what ships are built for." J. A. Shedd.
A clever person solves a problem. A wise person avoids it. – Albert Einstein
"Life's a Beach... and then you Fly!" Fishbuck
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oladulce
Super Nomad
Posts: 1625
Registered: 5-30-2005
Location: bcs
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I have no professional experience but here's my dos pesos:
Having to pay a separate "Cleaning Fee" for a daily rental would bug me a little. If you increased your daily rate and it seemed reasonable for the
level of accommodations, I wouldn't know the difference and would be happy !
But as DK mentioned, if you raise your daily rate too high, many visitors such as ourselves who travel around Baja in our own comfortable abode
(Camper) and most other Baja explorers who are fully outfitted, would keep on going to the nearest beach and be perfectly happy for a short stay
(until they run out of water of course, and come straggling back to town).
If there aren't any camping beaches near-by, then I'd say you have a niche and could charge a little more for your daily rates and figure in even more
for your cleaning time and effort.
Even for longer-term rentals it would irk me a little to pay a separate cleaning fee, because of course, we're not messy. If it was already factored
in to the rate and was reasonable, we'd be como así
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Bedman
Senior Nomad
Posts: 523
Registered: 9-4-2002
Location: Orange County, CA.
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An interesting assortment of ideas and experiences.
I'll add my .02 cents.
Ferna (FDT) hit the nail on the head.
"What I do suggest you do is charge a cleaning or security and key deposit for cases when they just trash the place, break a window, tear up furniture
or just happen to pack your coffee maker or blender or even television set along with their belongings at time of departure or just forget to return
the key (everything is of cost to you) believe me, I've seen it all. This deposit of course would be fully refundable if everything is left
satisfactory and only the normal cleaning has to be done and that I strongly believe should be incorporated into your rate."
If I remember correctly (Ferna correct me if I'm wrong) FDT has managed a major hotel in Ensenada and knows what he's talking about.
I would not be put off by a refundable cleaning deposit in any way at all. I would expect it.
Bedman
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