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Gratuity for Your Vacation Rental Housekeeper
Determine a clear gratuity policy to communicate to guests and your housekeeper.
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If you haven't already considered where you stand on the issue of gratuity for your housekeeper, start thinking about it. Some renters factor it in to their vacation budget, some haven't considered it at all, and others might just ask what is customary for your area.
Here are your options for housekeeper gratuity:
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• Encourage tipping. There are some markets where tipping is simply commonplace, or if you're lucky, you have a housekeeper that goes above and beyond – dropping off flowers, baking fresh goodies, or providing insider tips for your guests. If you know that tipping is common for your area or if your guests are possibly interacting with your housekeeper, you might consider leaving an envelope out to encourage and gently remind guests to thank him/her for a job well done.
• Factor it in to his/her wages. Whether or not gratuity for housekeepers is common in your area, some owners might still be uncomfortable with the idea of having their guests leave a tip. If guests question your policy, you might just thank them for their offer but explain that you handle gratuity yourself. Some owners choose to provide higher pay or simply build the gratuity into their cleaning fees, therefore providing their housekeepers with increased wages.
• Provide a holiday gift instead. Instead of relying on tips from your renters, you may choose to give your housekeeper a holiday gift at the end of the year. This might be a cash bonus or an actual gift. (See article: Holiday Gifts for Your Housekeeper.)
Whether you choose not to accept tips because it is not common for your area or perhaps it's because you're not a big fan of tipping yourself, it's ok to tell your guests no – but be sure to discuss your policy with your housekeeper to set appropriate expectations.
One of the best ways to decide what is appropriate for your personal situation is to talk with other owners from your area to determine how they handle gratuity. No matter what you decide, just remember that good housekeepers can be hard to find, so be sure to show your appreciation.
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How do you handle gratuity for your housekeeper?
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