Cleanliness is one of the most influential factors in guests’ feedback. A spotless property earns great reviews, while a not-so-tidy one can tank your ratings. Different cleaning approaches also impact your bottom line: overspending on services cuts into profit, but under-cleaning risks complaints.
Knowing how to set the cleaning fee for a rental property is important as it ensures happy guests and healthy profits. Read on for insights.
Average cleaning price for holiday rentals in Australia
Short-term rental cleaning fees range from approximately $50 for a small apartment to $300 for a large luxury house, depending on the property's size and the services required.
You should note that location also plays a role. Cleaning services in big cities like Sydney or Melbourne tend to charge higher rates than in regional areas.
Factors that affect how you charge cleaning fees
Setting the right STR cleaning fee in Australia isn't just about property size. You also want to consider the following aspects when deciding your cleaning fee (and ultimately your overall short-term rental cleaning cost):
Property size & type
A 5-bedroom beach house will warrant a higher fee than a tiny studio apartment. Unique properties (luxury villas, pet-friendly homes, etc.) might also need extra cleaning work.
Location
Major cities (Sydney, Melbourne) have higher, cleaner wages, so professional services charge more per hour. Remote or high-demand tourist regions (like Byron Bay) might incur travel surcharges or premium rates due to fewer cleaners.
Turnover frequency and stay length
How often you need to clean (and how intensely) affects pricing. If you welcome many short stays, you'll be doing frequent turnarounds and restocking, justifying a higher fee. Some hosts intentionally keep a high cost to discourage very short stays. Conversely, for longer bookings, you might moderate the fee since it's averaged over more nights.
Guest expectations and standards
Today's rental guest expectations are high; travellers expect hotel-level cleanliness. Higher guest expectations can warrant a higher cleaning fee (or even mid-stay cleaning for extended visits) as part of delivering five-star service.
Seasonality and peak periods
You might pay more for last-minute or same-day turnover cleaning for holiday homes during busy periods. Also, factor in that the high season brings heavier use of your property; think of sand from beach trips and extra laundry, which sometimes requires more work per cleaning session.
Fixed vs. Hourly Rates: Which One Is Better?
When arranging turnover cleaning for holiday homes, most hosts often wonder if it's better to pay a flat fee per cleaning session or an hourly wage for cleaning services. Each approach has its pros and cons, and the best choice depends on your property and turnover needs. Let's define them quickly:
Should you do it yourself or hire a professional cleaner?
Cleaning your holiday rental is more about protecting your margins and maintaining high rental guest expectations. The choice between DIY and hiring a pro directly affects both your time and profitability.
Here's a look at average hourly rates across major cities:
DIY cleaning comes with the following benefits:
- It cuts costs.
- You enjoy complete control of how cleaning is done.
- It suits hosts with one local property.
- It allows for a more flexible schedule.
But here are the drawbacks:
- It's time-consuming, especially during peak seasons.
- Any shortcuts can impact your reviews.
If you are hiring professionals, here are the pros and cons:
Pros:
- Ensures consistent, high-quality cleaning with less stress.
- It is ideal for larger homes.
- It's best for frequent turnovers.
Cons:
- Cleaner costs can add up fast.
- Finding reliable help may take time.
If you enjoy hands-on work and live nearby, DIY may be a good fit for you. But for scale, efficiency, and reliability, outsourcing often leads to better guest experiences and better long-term returns.
Try Beyond's free pricing analysis tool for your property
Optimising your cleaning fee is just one part of managing your rental finances. To see the bigger picture, sign up for Beyond's free pricing analysis tool, a smart resource that evaluates your rates and property management expenses in one go.
This tool provides accurate and data-backed analysis of your listing, showing how your pricing (including cleaning fees) compares to the market and where you can make improvements. It's an easy way to ensure you're covering costs like cleaning while still staying competitive.
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