Airbnb’s new cleaning rules: What guests can refuse to do before checkout

Airbnb guests paying cleaning fees will no longer be expected to wash dishes, strip beds or carry rubbish off the property under the platform’s new house rules policy, which limits the checkout chores hosts can demand.

The updated guidelines set out seven standard house rules for hosts, while allowing additional reasonable requests. The changes aim to prevent guests from being burdened with tasks that would ordinarily be handled by professional cleaners.

The new policy will apply to reservations booked on or after November 20.

What can Airbnb hosts ask guests to do?

Under the revised guidelines, hosts cannot generally require guests to perform tasks that involve significant time or effort or are typically part of a cleaner’s job.

These include:

• Washing and putting away dishes: Guests cannot generally be required to clean and store used dishes as a checkout task.
• Stripping beds: Removing sheets and bedding is among the chores hosts should not demand.
• Taking rubbish off-site: Guests cannot generally be instructed to carry trash away from the property as a checkout requirement.
• Hosts can still establish reasonable house rules and make requests that comply with Airbnb’s policies. The company may also allow exceptions in specific circumstances.
• For instance, where local drought restrictions are in place, a host may ask guests to limit their shower time.

Can hosts charge extra fees or impose fines?

The updated policy places limits on what hosts can demand from guests, including contractual requirements. Contracts will be permitted only in limited circumstances, such as when required by law or homeowners association rules.

Hosts will not be allowed to impose fines under the policy. However, they will retain control over their house rules and requests, provided these comply with Airbnb’s requirements.

If a host makes a request that violates the platform’s policy, Airbnb can flag the issue. Hosts who disagree with that decision will have the opportunity to appeal.

What changes for guests at checkout?

Airbnb plans to make property rules more visible before and during a stay. Guests will be able to see them more prominently, and the rules will also appear in reservation reminders.

The company said it had heard concerns from its community that house rules could be confusing, burdensome and difficult to manage. The revised guidelines are intended to make expectations clearer and prevent guests from facing unexpected demands.

Cleaning fees have long been a source of frustration for some Airbnb customers, particularly when they are also asked to complete extensive cleaning tasks before leaving.

Airbnb’s revised policy seeks to draw a clearer line between reasonable house rules and checkout chores that guests should not be expected to perform.