Vrbo (Vacation Rentals by Owner) is a popular vacation rental platform that connects travelers with property owners. As a host on Vrbo, you’ll pay a host fee to list your property and manage bookings. The host fee varies depending on the location and type of property, but it is typically a percentage of the booking amount.
How Much is the Host Fee on Vrbo?
The host fee on Vrbo varies depending on the following factors:
- Location: The host fee is higher in popular tourist destinations.
- Type of property: The host fee is higher for larger properties and properties that offer amenities such as pools or hot tubs.
- Booking amount: The host fee is a percentage of the booking amount, so it will be higher for more expensive bookings.
How to Calculate the Host Fee on Vrbo
To calculate the host fee on Vrbo, you can use the following formula:
Host fee = Booking amount × Host fee percentage
For example, if you are booking a $1,000 property in a popular tourist destination, the host fee might be 10%. This would result in a host fee of $100.
What is Included in the Host Fee on Vrbo?
The host fee on Vrbo covers the following services:
- Listing your property: Vrbo creates a listing for your property and makes it available to travelers.
- Managing bookings: Vrbo handles all of the booking details, including confirming reservations, collecting payments, and sending out guest information.
- Customer support: Vrbo provides customer support to both hosts and guests.
What is Not Included in the Host Fee on Vrbo?
The host fee on Vrbo does not cover the following costs:
- Cleaning fees: You will need to charge a separate cleaning fee to cover the cost of cleaning your property after each guest checkout.
- Damage deposit: You may require guests to pay a damage deposit to cover the cost of any damage to your property.
- Property insurance: You will need to purchase property insurance to protect your property from damage.
Pros and Cons of Hosting on Vrbo
Pros:
- Reach a large audience: Vrbo is a popular vacation rental platform with a large reach.
- Easy to use: Vrbo makes it easy to list your property and manage bookings.
- Customer support: Vrbo provides customer support to both hosts and guests.
Cons:
- Host fee: The host fee can be a significant expense, especially for properties in popular tourist destinations.
- Cleaning fees: You will need to charge a separate cleaning fee to cover the cost of cleaning your property after each guest checkout.
- Damage deposits: You may require guests to pay a damage deposit, which can be a hassle for both hosts and guests.
Common Mistakes to Avoid When Hosting on Vrbo
Here are some common mistakes to avoid when hosting on Vrbo:
- Not setting a competitive price: Your property will not be competitive if you set your price too high.
- Not providing enough information: Make sure to provide clear and detailed information about your property, including photos, amenities, and location.
- Not responding to guest inquiries: Respond promptly to guest inquiries to show that you are responsive and interested in booking their stay.
- Not cleaning your property properly: A dirty property can turn off guests and lead to negative reviews.
- Not being available to guests: If you are not available to assist guests during their stay, you may not be able to resolve any issues that they have.
Conclusion
The host fee on Vrbo is a necessary expense for hosts, but it can be a significant cost. By understanding the factors that affect the host fee, hosts can calculate the fee for their property and make informed decisions about whether or not to list their property on Vrbo.