By If you run a holiday let in Edinburgh, cleaning is the cost you pay most often and the one guests notice first. A single missed hair in the shower can cost you a five-star review, and a late turnover can cost you a booking. This guide sets out what holiday let cleaning costs in Edinburgh in 2026, what a proper changeover includes, and how to work out a fair cleaning fee for your listing. There is also a quick estimator below so you can get a ballpark figure in seconds.
How much do holiday let cleaners charge in Edinburgh?
Most Edinburgh holiday let cleaning is priced per changeover rather than per hour, because hosts want a fixed cost they can build into their nightly rate. These are typical 2026 prices for a standard turnover (clean, reset and restock, with the property guest-ready):
| Property size | Typical changeover price | Typical time on site |
|---|---|---|
| Studio | £40 – £60 | 1.5 – 2 hours |
| 1-bed flat | £60 – £90 | 2 – 2.5 hours |
| 2-bed flat | £90 – £130 | 2.5 – 3.5 hours |
| 3-bed house or large flat | £120 – £180 | 3.5 – 4.5 hours |
| 4+ bed house | From £160 (quoted) | 4.5 hours + |
If you would rather pay by the hour, professional cleaners in Edinburgh typically charge around £15 – £25 per hour, with short-term let work at the upper end because of the time pressure and the extra checks involved. For a full breakdown of per-stay versus weekly costs, see our Airbnb cleaning prices in Edinburgh guide.
Holiday let cleaning cost estimator
Pick your property details below for an instant estimate. It is a guide range, not a quote. Send us the details on WhatsApp and we will confirm a fixed price.
Estimated changeover: £60 – £90
Get my fixed price on WhatsAppWhat affects the price of a holiday let clean?
- Size and layout. Bathrooms add more time than bedrooms. A 2-bed flat with two bathrooms takes noticeably longer than one with a single bathroom.
- How guests leave it. A couple on a weekend break leaves a very different property from a group of six after the Festival or Hogmanay.
- Turnaround window. An 11am check-out and 3pm check-in leaves four hours. Tight windows need a bigger team or a dedicated slot, which costs more.
- Linen and laundry. Stripping and making beds is usually included. Washing, drying and ironing linen, or supplying hotel-style linen, is normally priced separately.
- Restocking. Topping up toilet roll, soap, bin bags and tea and coffee is quick, but the supplies themselves are an extra cost unless you provide them.
- Access and parking. Tenement stairs in the Old Town or New Town and paid parking zones add time and cost to every visit.
- Frequency. Hosts with regular weekly changeovers usually get a better rate than one-off bookings.
What is included in a holiday let changeover?
A changeover is not the same as a domestic clean. The goal is to make the property look as if nobody has stayed there, and to catch problems before the next guest does.
- Kitchen: worktops, hob, inside microwave, sink and taps, wiping appliance fronts, emptying the fridge of guest leftovers, loading or emptying the dishwasher, checking crockery and cutlery is clean and complete.
- Bathrooms: full clean and disinfection of toilet, shower, bath, sink and tiles, descaling, polishing mirrors and chrome, fresh towels laid out.
- Bedrooms: strip and remake beds with fresh linen, check under beds and in drawers for left items, dust surfaces.
- Living areas: vacuum and mop all floors, dust, wipe switches, remote controls and door handles, reset cushions and furniture.
- Reset and restock: toiletries, toilet roll, bin bags, welcome items, and the property laid out to match your listing photos.
- Report back: photos of the finished property, plus anything damaged, broken or missing so you can raise it with the guest or platform quickly.
Holiday let cleaning vs a standard home clean
| Holiday let changeover | Standard home clean | |
|---|---|---|
| Goal | Guest-ready, matches listing photos | Tidy and clean for the people living there |
| Timing | Fixed window between check-out and check-in | Flexible |
| Linen | Full change every stay | Usually not included |
| Restocking and reporting | Yes, with photos and damage reports | No |
| Typical pricing | Fixed per changeover | Hourly |
How to set your holiday let cleaning fee
Most Edinburgh hosts pass the cleaning cost to guests as a separate cleaning fee. A simple approach:
- Start with your cleaner’s fixed changeover price.
- Add your linen and consumables cost per stay.
- Round to a clean figure that is in line with similar listings nearby. Check five or six comparable properties in your area.
- For short stays, consider a minimum night requirement instead of a large cleaning fee, which can put off one-night bookers.
Remember that since 24 July 2026 Edinburgh’s 5% visitor levy applies to overnight stays, so check how your platform shows the total price to guests before you raise your cleaning fee.
Cleaning and your short-term let licence
All short-term lets in Edinburgh need a licence from the City of Edinburgh Council. The licence conditions focus on safety, including fire, gas, electrical and water safety, and keeping the property in good repair. A reliable cleaning routine supports this: regular cleans mean someone is checking smoke alarms are not covered, fire doors are not wedged open, and little-used taps and showers are run, which is part of normal legionella control. Our short-term let cleaning service guide covers this in more detail.
Holiday let cleaning with MT Cleaners
We handle changeovers for holiday lets and Airbnbs across Edinburgh, including Leith, Stockbridge, the New Town, Marchmont and South Queensferry. You get a fixed price per changeover, photo reports after every clean, and one point of contact on WhatsApp. See our Airbnb and holiday let cleaning service for full details, or message us on WhatsApp or call +44 7747 675575 for a fixed price.
Holiday let cleaning FAQs
How much do holiday let cleaners charge per hour in the UK?
Most UK holiday let cleaners charge roughly £15 – £25 per hour, depending on the area. In Edinburgh, £15 – £25 per hour is typical, but most hosts pay a fixed price per changeover instead.
How much does it cost to clean a 2-bed holiday let?
A standard changeover for a 2-bed flat in Edinburgh usually costs £90 – £130. Expect more for a second bathroom, a very tight turnaround or a property left in poor condition.
How long does a holiday let changeover take?
Between two and four hours for most Edinburgh flats. Larger houses, or properties after a big group stay, can take longer or need two cleaners.
Is linen included in the cleaning price?
Changing beds and laying out towels is usually included. Laundering linen or supplying it is normally an extra, so check what your quote covers.
Should I charge guests a cleaning fee?
Most hosts do, and guests expect it. Keep it close to your real cleaning and linen cost and in line with similar listings nearby, so it does not put guests off at checkout.
