Transparency for Short Term Rental Owners/Managers is up for interpretation.

I had an eye opening experience this week as a traveller, not Host with AIRBNB’s “all fees upfront” policy. After a long conversation with AIRBNB support, I realize that a game of extra charges is still being allowed and even supported by some Hosts and AIRBNB.

I am hoping that this blog will help to open your eyes to my naievity and can help to stop you from falling victim as well. Always ask, do not expect that something is not an up charge, because anything can be up charged. Rent with a Host that you have stayed with before, one that you trust to do the right thing. Hosts like us who will never up charge you for any or the numerous amenities in our houses. We treat you the way we want to be treated.

Our family came to visit last minute, not enough room? Solution Book an AIRBNB. We did, what we did not realize the every amenity they advertised, HEATED POOL, up charge; AMAZING GRILLING READY POOL DECK, BRING YOUR OWN PROPANE and a $50 extra up charge for cleaning the grill; GREAT BATH ROOMS, hmmm want to take a bath, they turned the water off to the bath tub, under the sink. We received a bill for all the extra fees that were not included in the nightly rate.

We all knew this went on before, owners checking the electrical usage both before and after your stay and up charging you for the amount of electricity that you used. However AIRBNB has been on an advertising rampage marketing “upfront charges, transparency, and on and on. As long as the Hosts list all additional charges somewhere on the incredibly long description. Or if they turn the water off to things like bathtubs so you will not

use the hot water heater.

Remember to ask those questions about up charges, up front.