Tipping for a rental cleaning

[DawnM]

A friend and I were disagreeing about this.

We rent a 4 bedroom condo in the Spring at the beach. It is a girls' weekend away for 3 to 4 nights total.

The cleaning fee is around $280, which is quite high for 3 nights We always leave it clean, wiped down, dishes done, trash taken out, and sheets and towels in a large towel ready to be moved. She feels that the tip must be built in to that and refuses to leave more $$.

I agree it is really high. It is a private condo rented out through a rental company.

Would you still tip?

Dawn

 

[Shelly F - Ohio]

Nope. You are paying for her services why would you need to tip. Rental companies hire cleaning companies to come in and clean so there is not need to tip.

 

[DisneyNutMary]

If the cleaning fee is separate from the rental rate, then I would not leave a tip. If it is included in the rental (like in a DVC rental) then I would leave a tip.
That fee is pretty high, so I would guess the cleaning service is used to not getting tips, and therefore charges what it costs to pay for supplies and pay the cleaners.

 

[pocomom]

A friend and I were disagreeing about this.

We rent a 4 bedroom condo in the Spring at the beach. It is a girls' weekend away for 3 to 4 nights total.

The cleaning fee is around $280, which is quite high for 3 nights We always leave it clean, wiped down, dishes done, trash taken out, and sheets and towels in a large towel ready to be moved. She feels that the tip must be built in to that and refuses to leave more $$.

I agree it is really high. It is a private condo rented out through a rental company.

Would you still tip?

Dawn

That cleaning fee is very high...I would still tip as long as it is not the cleaning business/rental owner doing the cleaning. If it is a company that sends out a cleaning person/team, she/they are probably not seeing much of that fee.

 

[SaraJayne]

A friend and I were disagreeing about this.

We rent a 4 bedroom condo in the Spring at the beach. It is a girls' weekend away for 3 to 4 nights total.

The cleaning fee is around $280, which is quite high for 3 nights We always leave it clean, wiped down, dishes done, trash taken out, and sheets and towels in a large towel ready to be moved. She feels that the tip must be built in to that and refuses to leave more $$.

I agree it is really high. It is a private condo rented out through a rental company.

Would you still tip?

Dawn

Since you are paying a (very high!) separate fee, no, I wouldn't tip.

 

[Jill in Chicago]

We still tip. With a cleaning fee that high, I would tip $20.00. Why? Because it is fun to make someone's day. I can imagine their surprise to receive a tip. I, personally would be surprised. Then imagine them either having the money to buy something they otherwise would not have the money for, or getting to splurge on something fun if money is not an issue for the. For me, it is worth it to spread joy.

 

[huntforjulia]

I rented a house for the first time last year, with a local Kissimmee company, paid a cleaning fee, It never occurred to me to leave a tip. Was I supposed to? I always tip in hotel/motel rooms. Feel bad if I was supposed to and didn't.

 

[Luv Bunnies]

Wow! That is a very high cleaning fee. My parents rent out a 2-bedroom, 1-bath place with a loft. The cleaning lady charges $50 for each cleaning and she does a great job. My parents pass on the $50 charge to the tenants and then pay the cleaner. When we use the house, we leave $50 in cash on the table for her. We never leave a tip, but my mom occasionally leaves her a small gift like a candle, box of chocolates, etc. If it has been a busy season, she leaves her some extra money as a bonus.

I would not leave a tip on a $280 cleaning bill. You wouldn't even know whose pocket it's going into. The owner of the cleaning business could be the one who comes in and collects the money, and the people who actually do the work might never see a dime of it.

 

[DawnM]

Thank you all for your input. It sounds like maybe my friend is right.

 

[shortbun]

I would tip but I'd be questioning that fee. If you are responsible for leaving the condo in move in condition-what you described-why would they charge $280 for cleaning the bathrooms, vacuuming(again)? I rent often and have never found the cleaning fee separate. Can you opt out? Is your rent considerably low? Do the cleaners make the beds? I'm trying to figure out why the fee is so high. I'd think about half that would be more appropriate.

 

[karensi]

Hmmm, now you've got me thinking. We go to our time share in Orlando once a year and always leave a few dollars for the cleaning service when we leave. Maybe we shouldn't(as in not necessary).
I think most people here are speaking of rental homes but wouldn't that be the same as the timeshare?

TIA,

Karen

 

[laurafergie]

We rent houses and condos where ever we go, and I never tip, where as, I do on the rare occasions we are in a hotel. And WOW! That cleaning fee is high! If it were me, I might look at other rentals in the area to see if it was commparable to the area, and if not, maybe think about renting a new place next time.

 

[holycow]

No I wouldn't .

 

[angierae]

I wouldn't, but mostly because you have no idea who is going to get that tip.

 

[DawnM]

I honestly don't know/can't find anything cheaper. The company we go through allows us a 3 night rental, which is what we need, on the beach, in North Myrtle for a 4-5 bedroom condo.

Most companies require a min. of 4 nights or a full week.

We have just used the same company for years now.

 

[ColoradoDisneyFreaks]

When you stay in a hotel, you're tipping the housekeeper who is cleaning your room while you're there. When you stay in a condo/rental house, unless the cleaning service is coming in and making beds every day, cleaning bathrooms, refreshing towels, don't tip. They're there to get the unit ready for the next renter, as a service for the owner, not provide a service for you.

 

[kokomos]

I would check the price for a 4 night stay to see if its cheaper and just leave a day early.

 

[DawnM]

it is not. We have looked at a 4 day stay, a week long stay, etc.....

The difference between a 4 night stay and a week long stay is not significant, but the difference between a 3 night stay and 4 night is hundreds.

Dawn

I would check the price for a 4 night stay to see if its cheaper and just leave a day early.