Airbnb Cleaning Fee Rules: What Hosts Can and Cannot Charge
On Airbnb you can charge a standard cleaning fee, an optional short stay cleaning fee for one and two night bookings, and a pet fee, as long as every mandatory charge is disclosed in the listing's fee fields or nightly price and paid through Airbnb. You cannot collect fees off the platform, charge most guests a security deposit, charge a pet fee for a service animal, or add surprise cleaning charges after checkout outside Airbnb's damage and Resolution Center process.
Airbnb updates these policies, so I link to the official help article for each rule below. Always check the current version before you change your pricing.
What you are allowed to charge
A standard cleaning fee
Airbnb describes the cleaning fee as a charge that "helps hosts keep their listings in good shape" and typically pays for the housekeeping you expect to do after hosting guests (Airbnb help: add cleaning fees). You set it in your listing's pricing settings under additional charges and fees.
A short stay cleaning fee
You can also set an optional short stay cleaning fee for one and two night stays, with the standard fee applying to longer stays. Airbnb applies the right fee at the time of booking based on the guest's stay length (same article).
A pet fee
Hosts who allow pets can charge a pet fee. Airbnb's help center lists options such as a flat fee per booking or per night, and the fee is shown to guests as part of the price (Airbnb help: pet fees). More on setting it fairly in pet cleaning fees on Airbnb.
Other disclosed mandatory fees
Airbnb's policy on fees says all mandatory fees must be disclosed "in the appropriate fee field or the nightly price." Its examples include utility fees, extra guest fees, pet fees, resort fees and management fees (Airbnb off platform fees policy).
What you cannot do
Collect fees off the platform
Airbnb's policy states that "requesting, sending, or receiving payments outside of Airbnb is prohibited" (Airbnb help). That includes asking a guest to Venmo you for extra cleaning. There are narrow exceptions, mostly for certain hotels and some software connected hosts, which the policy lists.
Charge most guests a security deposit
The same policy says "most hosts are not allowed to charge a security deposit." If you are wondering how to protect yourself instead, see does Airbnb have security deposits.
Charge a pet fee for a service animal
Airbnb states that "service animals always stay for free" (Airbnb help: pet fees). Airbnb's fee rules also note that in some jurisdictions hosts cannot charge pet or animal hair cleaning fees to guests with assistance animals, including emotional support animals (Airbnb help). If an assistance animal causes damage, you can still request payment through AirCover.
Hide fees or add them after booking
Any fee a guest must pay has to show up before they book. You cannot quote one price on the listing and then tell the guest about a mandatory cleaning surcharge once they arrive.
Load cleaning onto the guest at checkout
This is not a fee rule, but it is closely related. Airbnb's guidance to hosts says "guests expect an easy checkout without any cleaning tasks," and that listings with repeated low ratings from unreasonable tasks may be removed (Airbnb Resource Center). If you charge a cleaning fee, the cleaning is your job. See Airbnb checkout tasks for what is reasonable to ask.
Quick reference table
| Charge or practice | Allowed? | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Standard cleaning fee | Yes | Help 58 |
| Short stay cleaning fee (1 or 2 nights) | Yes, optional | Help 58 |
| Pet fee for pets | Yes | Help 3623 |
| Pet fee for a service animal | No | Help 3623 |
| Collecting cleaning money off platform | No, with narrow exceptions | Help 2799 |
| Security deposit | Not for most hosts | Help 2799 |
| Undisclosed mandatory fees | No | Help 2799 |
| Requesting payment for damage or unexpected cleaning | Yes, through Airbnb | Help 58 |
How Airbnb's fees interact with yours
Two platform rules affect how your cleaning fee lands with guests and in your payout.
The host service fee includes your cleaning fee. Airbnb calculates the host service fee on the nightly price plus any fees you charge, excluding the guest service fee and taxes. On the single fee structure most hosts pay 15.5%, and Airbnb says it is moving all hosts to that structure (Airbnb help: host service fees). Price your cleaning fee with that in mind.
Guests see the total. Since April 2025, total price display is standard for guests worldwide, showing the price including all fees before taxes (Airbnb announcement). Your cleaning fee is no longer a line guests discover at checkout. It is baked into the number they compare in search.
What happens when a guest leaves a real mess
The cleaning fee covers a normal turnover. For unexpected cleaning costs, such as removing smoke odor, Airbnb points hosts to AirCover damage protection (Airbnb help). The practical steps:
- Document it before anything is cleaned. Dated photos of every affected area.
- Keep receipts for extra cleaning time, professional odor treatment or replacement items.
- Message the guest through Airbnb and request payment through the Resolution Center.
- Escalate to Airbnb if the guest does not pay, following the current AirCover process.
Your claim is only as strong as your proof that the home was fine before this guest. That is why I want a photo record of every turnover, even when nothing goes wrong. Clyn creates one automatically: the cleaner photographs each room in the app, the AI checks the photos against your standard, and each turnover is saved with a date. If you need to show the condition before and after a stay, the record is already there. For the full process, see how to prove guest damage on Airbnb.
Local rules can apply too
Airbnb's rules are the minimum. Some cities, states and countries have their own consumer rules about fee disclosure and pricing, and how cleaning fees are taxed varies by location. Check your local short term rental regulations and talk to a tax professional about how fees are taxed where your property is.
FAQ
Can I charge a guest extra if they leave the Airbnb really dirty?
Not as a surprise fee outside Airbnb. You can request payment for unexpected cleaning or damage through Airbnb's Resolution Center, with photos and receipts, and AirCover may apply if the guest does not pay.
Can I charge a different cleaning fee for short stays?
Yes. Airbnb lets you set an optional short stay cleaning fee for one and two night stays, and the standard cleaning fee applies to longer stays.
Can I ask guests to pay the cleaning fee in cash at check in?
No. Airbnb prohibits collecting reservation payments and fees outside the platform, except in narrow cases listed in its off platform fees policy. Put the fee in your listing's fee fields instead.
If you want every turnover checked before check in, you can try Clyn free on one property at clyn.com.