Holiday Let Cleaning Cost: Turnover Prices for Hosts
What holiday let and short-let turnover cleaning typically costs in the UK, what affects the price and how hosts can budget per booking.
If you run a holiday cottage, city flat or any short-let, cleaning is one of your biggest regular costs and one of the biggest influences on guest reviews. Knowing the typical price per turnover lets you set nightly rates and cleaning fees that actually cover costs.
Typical turnover prices
Turnover cleaning is normally priced per visit based on the property size and whether linen is included. Typically, in the UK:
| Property | Typical price per turnover |
|---|---|
| Studio or 1-bed flat | £35 to £65 |
| 2-bed flat or cottage | £50 to £90 |
| 3-bed house | £70 to £130 |
| 4-bed house | £100 to £180 |
| 5+ bed or hot tub property | £150 to £280+ |
Prices vary by region. Tourist areas and London and the South East are often higher, and rural properties may include a travel charge. Cleaners often charge hourly instead, around £14 to £22 an hour, with an estimate of the hours per turnover.
What a turnover clean covers
A turnover is not a deep clean. It resets the property to guest-ready standard in a tight window between check-out and check-in. That typically means:
- Stripping beds and remaking with fresh linen.
- Cleaning and sanitising bathrooms and kitchen.
- Vacuuming and mopping all floors.
- Emptying bins and checking fridges and cupboards.
- Restocking consumables such as toilet roll and hand soap.
- Checking for damage, left items and anything needing attention.
Our holiday let cleaning checklist gives a room-by-room list you can adapt and share with your cleaner.
What changes the price
- Number of guests and bedrooms. More beds mean more linen and more bathrooms.
- Linen and laundry. Washing and drying on site takes time. Many hosts use a linen service, which is an extra cost but saves cleaning time.
- Same-day turnarounds. Tight windows, evenings and weekends may carry a premium.
- Extras. Hot tubs, BBQs, outdoor furniture and pet-friendly stays take more time.
- Frequency. Regular, predictable bookings from a single host may qualify for a better rate.
- Key handling and access. Key safes, check-in photos and reporting also take time, so agree what is included.
Setting your cleaning fee
Many hosts add a cleaning fee on top of the nightly rate. A fair fee covers the cleaner's price, consumables, laundry and a little for management time. If you set it too low, you absorb the costs; too high and guests may be put off or compare unfavourably with other listings. Check what similar properties charge locally, and review it at least yearly.
Reliability matters as much as price
For a short-let, the cheapest cleaner is not always best value. A cleaner who cannot make a Saturday turnover costs you far more in lost reviews than a few pounds saved. Ask about:
- Availability and cover when they are ill or on holiday.
- How they report problems, breakages and low stock.
- Whether they can send before and after photos.
- Their approach if a guest checks out late.
Finding and comparing cleaners
Start by describing your property precisely: bedrooms, beds, bathrooms and any extras. On Compito you can search by postcode, compare ID-verified local providers, read reviews left after completed bookings and message them about your schedule and expectations before you accept an offer and pay online.
A worked example
A two-bed coastal cottage lets for 40 weeks a year with changeovers on Saturdays. At £70 per turnover, cleaning costs about £2,800 a year, before linen laundry and consumables, which might add another £10 to £25 per changeover. Compare that with a cleaning fee of £60 per stay: if average stays are one week, you recover most but not all of the cost. This is why many hosts review their fees and rates every year.
Pricing models compared
| Model | How it works | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Fixed per turnover | One agreed price per visit | Predictable properties |
| Hourly | Pay for time worked | Variable guest mess |
| Retainer | Monthly sum for guaranteed availability | Busy, year-round lets |
Ways to control costs without cutting corners
- Provide good-quality, easy-wash linen and spare sets so laundry is not rushed.
- Choose flooring and furnishings that are quick to clean.
- Set clear house rules about removing rubbish and stripping beds.
- Keep turnover windows realistic, so the cleaner is not rushing.
- Agree a fair price for extras such as hot tub care instead of rolling them into every visit.
Common mistakes
- Choosing on price alone, then losing bookings to poor reviews.
- Not factoring in laundry, consumables or travel.
- Leaving no buffer for late check-outs.
- Forgetting deeper cleans, which should be scheduled and priced separately.
Frequently asked questions
Should hosts or guests pay for the cleaning?
Typically the cost is built into the pricing, either through the nightly rate or a separate cleaning fee. Ask what is competitive in your area and platform.
How long does a turnover take?
Typically one to three hours for a small property, and three to five or more for larger houses. Linen changes and hot tubs add time.
Do I need a deep clean as well as turnovers?
Yes, periodically. A deeper clean every few months, or between seasons, catches areas that turnovers do not reach, such as inside appliances and behind furniture.
What if a guest leaves the property very dirty?
Photograph the condition, contact the guest or booking platform according to its rules, and agree any extra time with your cleaner. See the platform's policies on additional charges.