Summary
An etiquette expert weighs in.
Fact checked by Elizabeth MacLennan
Am I supposed to tip when I stay at a short-term rental?
Lizzie Post: “If there’s a fee associated with it, I don’t really see a reason to tip. I look at Airbnbs as different than hotels. If there’s a cleaning fee, I’m not gonna pay extra. Cleaning services for short-term rentals are different: ‘This is my business; I charge rates so I don’t need tips.’ I wouldn’t categorize it with hotel cleaning staff.”
Host: “We don’t charge cleaning fees for two reasons: I received advice from another host who said that people tend to leave the place in better condition if they’re not paying fees to clean. I appreciate that. It’s more like Uber; it’s all included, and there’s no other exchange of money. In my experience, it’s never happened in a year of hosting that someone has left a tip.”
What if there’s no fee listed?
Lizzie Post: “Then I don’t worry about it. I also don’t leave places messy. I’ve asked before, ‘Do you want the beds stripped or not?’ I always make everything neat before I leave.”
If there are goodies for you to eat and drink for free, do you replace them?
Lizzie Post: “This is up to the guest; it’s up to you how you decide how that should go. Personally, I try to replace some of those things; I refill some essentials. It depends on a) timing and b) how much did I consume. If I empty the fridge, I will try to buy some new groceries. The key principle is to ‘Leave the place as you found it.’ I wouldn’t worry about getting the exact bottle of wine they had; if I had a few crackers from a whole box, I wouldn’t fret about replacing it.”
Host: “I consider it a gift to the guest — part of their stay. That’s how I perceive it.”
If the house rules say for you to do all the dishes and strip the sheets, should you?
Lizzie Post: “Yes, you absolutely should. This is one of the enjoyable aspects of using Airbnb; if you don’t like the house rules, you don’t have to stay there! It’s crucial that house guides present information politely and invitingly. If the instructions sound rigid and unapproachable, it can deter potential guests. Make your guide clear, encouraging, and inviting. For instance, ‘The way we’re able to maintain this Airbnb is from the help of guests like you, so it’s important to us that you do the following before you leave. Your cooperation helps keep our rates low, so we avoid hiring cleaning personnel.'”
