Airbnb bans hosts from requiring guests to perform cleaning chores at checkout

OPA WIRE, Oct 21 (OPA) — Airbnb announced a policy shift Wednesday that restricts hosts from requiring guests to perform significant cleaning duties, such as stripping bed linens or taking out trash. Under the new guidelines, guests are no longer obligated to complete tasks that would typically be handled by a professional cleaner.

While hosts may still request that guests place used tableware in the sink, they are prohibited from demanding that dishes be washed or put away. The company stated that house rules must remain reasonable and transparent, noting that feedback from the community indicated existing requirements were often confusing and difficult to manage.

To enforce these changes, Airbnb has redesigned its platform to display house rules more prominently on listing pages, within the trips tab, and in reservation reminders. The company will now flag non-compliant requests, requiring hosts to either remove them or submit an appeal. Hosts are also barred from charging additional fees if a guest fails to complete a listed checkout task.

Standardized house rules now cover seven specific areas, including check-in and check-out times, guest capacity, smoking policies, pet approvals, quiet hours, and commercial photography. The company emphasized that cleaning fees should exclusively cover standard turnover services between guest stays, ensuring that expectations remain clear and free of unexpected requirements.