The price of an Airbnb reservation is based on a nightly rate set by the host and not per person. The standard nightly rate is only for 1 to 2 persons. Once you bring extra guests to the booking, the cost automatically increases.
The figure you see in the listings is only the introductory rate of an Airbnb property. The rate on the listing excludes additional taxes and fees you also need to pay. It does not also include charges for extra persons. Meaning, the nightly price is only on display and not the total cost of the whole booking.
When you start booking, a specific filter allows you to set the number of guests on the property. The price changes depending on the figure you entered—the Airbnb rate changes based on the occupancy you input.
Once you have already chosen the right Airbnb property, you will see many fees upon check out. These fees also increase depending on the number of people occupying the property.
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What are the additional fees on Airbnb?
Airbnb requires its guests to pay for a nightly Airbnb rate and other additional fees. These fees include service fees, occupancy taxes, cleaning fees, among others. They can raise the original listing price exponentially, too.
These fees can also increase based on the number of guests occupying the property. Some prices are standard and non-negotiable, while you can negotiate the rest with your host.
Non-negotiable Airbnb fees
- Service fees
- Occupancy taxes
Service fee is a universal fee all Airbnb guests need to pay. It is a guest service fee that Airbnb requires in all its listed properties. Airbnb uses this fee to maintain its online platform. It includes 24/7 customer services, security features, and free signing up for an account.
The service fee can take 14% of your booking subtotal cost. It can also increase based on the length of your stay in the property. The shorter your visit, the more expensive you pay for the service fee.
The occupancy taxes are mandatory fees defined by the city, country, or state. It is the same fee hotel establishments pay to the local government. The price can be in the form of value-added tax charged by Airbnb.
The platform does not get any profit from occupancy taxes.
These are directly paid to the local government.
The amount also differs from one city to another city.
Negotiable Airbnb fees
- Cleaning fees
- Pet fee
- Extra guest fee
- Security deposit
- Supply surcharges
- Limited occupancy allowed
- More guests means more maintenance required
- Safety concerns
- Obedience to the law
- Reduce noise and disturbances
- Seasonal demand
- Weekends
- Special events
- Special amenities
- Nearing the stay date
It is the most common fee you see when looking for an Airbnb. The cleaning fee is also the last fee you see upon checking out. It is visible on the booking screen and must accept before confirming your booking. It will go directly to the host’s payout, and Airbnb will not profit from it.
The price also varies depending on how much a host sets the fee. It can be cheaper if the host takes charge of cleaning the property. Or the payment can be higher if the host seeks professional cleaners to maintain the property.
Almost all Airbnb listings charge cleaning fees, but this is very negotiable. You can message the host before confirming your booking and negotiate the price. Or you can find a listing that does not charge a cleaning fee to make a reservation.
For those looking for a pet-friendly listing, expect that you will be paying an extra amount for the pet fee. It can be due to more effort in maintaining a property that allows pets. Some hosts would want to profit more and charge an extra when bringing a pet with you.
There are Airbnb properties that have a set number of guests allowed. The host reserve the right to charge an additional guest fee for every person you bring. If you get extra beyond the set limit of the host, you can also pay for an extra guest fee.
On the other side, you also have the right to negotiate with your host about the extra guest fee. You can directly message the potential host and negotiate about the additional expenses. If you ask nicely, some hosts would be more lenient and allow extra guests for free.
Other hosts will ask you to pay for a security deposit when booking. It ensures the security of the property and prevents guests from damaging the place. Not all hosts would ask you about the security deposit. It depends on the property and amenities that can be vulnerable to damage.
The security deposit usually is refundable when you check out. You will automatically receive the guarantee if there is no damage to the property. However, keep in mind that you must pay the security deposit on the Airbnb platform. Do not accept offline transactions when paying your reservations.
Does Airbnb charge for more guests?
Airbnb hosts do charge for more guests. Initially, the host can set a desired number of guests so that the host would ask you for an extra fee. Typically, the host charges $25 or less for every additional guest per night.
Some listings advertise that additional people have no charge. It is to attract more guests to book the said listing. However, it is still the prerogative of the host to require an extra guest fee.
Here are several reasons why a host can charge you with an extra guest fee:
The property cannot handle more people if you bring guests beyond the occupancy rate. The host will have to provide beds, pillows, and linens to make the guest more comfortable. These are more costs incurred by the host, which you must also pay.
Having more people means higher utility costs and higher consumptions cost. The property is also prone to wear and tear with plenty of people. The fee can offset these potential costs, as well.
Of course, a property can only accommodate a maximum number of people. You can comfortably enjoy the space if you follow the number required by the host. Guest cannot move freely in the property, which can damage the place in the process.
On the other hand, the host can also extend additional service to the guests, justifying the extra fee. The host can add more amenities which is more expense incurred.
Upon guests’ check-out, the host must maintain the property and clean for the next renters. The host will be paying extra for hiring professional cleaning services. A cleaning fee will probably increase as you add more guests to the booking.
The host will need to consider the number of people, length of stay, and cost to clean the property. A guest can pay the entire cleaning price for each booking—meaning more guests, a higher cleaning fee rate.
How strict are Airbnb guest limits?
Airbnb is very flexible regarding the number of guests renting the property. As long as you inform the host about the additional guests, the host will charge an extra fee.
However, a host can impose stricter rules for unauthorized guests. Some listings cannot simply take more guests due to limited capacity. It is up to the hosts to allow an exceeding number of people on the property.
Here are the reasons why you cannot bring unauthorized guests to an Airbnb property:
A room or a building has a maximum capacity limit for a reason. It is for the safety of occupants on the property. The host always considers the number of people staying in the area in an emergency.
The property administrator can efficiently conduct a safe evacuation plan when something happens. If the number of guests is not adequately disclosed, more mishaps can happen.
Some states require hosts to register every person staying on their property. It protects the area from accidents, floods, or any calamity. If you bring an unauthorized person, the city will not account for the person.
Obedience to the law means keeping the guest safe and protected while staying on a property. You can also avoid unnecessary confrontation with the property owner in the process.
Unlike hotels, some Airbnb properties are in residential areas where private individuals reside. A property administrator would ask the host to limit the number of people staying. In this manner, there will be less noise and disturbances across the neighborhood.
If you bring guests beyond the required maximum capacity, they make noise during the stay. More unauthorized guests mean more people have the potential to make noise. It can annoy the neighborhood and can bring trouble to the property owner.
What factors affect Airbnb price?
The Airbnb pricing fluctuates just like most hotel establishments. Factors like seasonal demand, competitor pricing, amenities, and special occasions affect Airbnb rates.
The demand for Airbnb reservations also depends on the month or season of the year. If the property is near a touristy hotspot, the rate is higher during summers.
Those who could not book a hotel will resort to Airbnb for accommodation. Large groups like family and friends prefer Airbnb for flexibility. The platform is more accommodating for big groups staying long in the property.
Most hosts increase their prices during weekends. These are the days of the week where people love to spend out of town. They would generally book a staycation and take the week off from work.
During weekends, the rental fees can increase from 10% to 15% of the regular rate. If you want to cut costs on rental payments, choose to book on a weekday. Mondays to Thursdays tend to have lower occupancy compared to weekends.
Special events within the property’s vicinity are also a factor that affects the rate. Music festivals and concerts that happen near the place attract guests.
Suppose you are looking for a listing during these occasions, except that the rate is higher than usual. There are instances that the booking rate is up to 5 times higher than the standard nightly rate.
Hosts who want the best experience for their guests equip them with amenities. However, these amenities would also come with a price. If you prefer comfort to expenses, you can look for a listing with great amenities.
You can search for a property with pools, pet-friendly, and parking space. There are plenty of Airbnb listings that offer excellent amenities for their guests. Some would even include a complete set of wine glasses, a coffee machine, and a bicycle to make the guest stay better.
Unlike hotels with cheaper rates near check-in, Airbnb hosts raise their nightly rates. The host can profit, especially in locations with massive vacation rentals. They take advantage of low inventory in terms of properties to make more profit.
Airbnb is an alternative to hotels, especially for large groups and long-term stays. On average, hosts allow up to six guests on their property compared to hotels with a maximum of four. But just like hotels, Airbnb can charge you an extra amount if you go beyond the required occupancy rate.