Airbnb to Restrict Checkout Chores for Guests

On Tuesday, Airbnb made the announcement that it will be tightening its rules regarding hosts who require guests to complete cleaning tasks like washing dishes and stripping beds before checkout. This change aims to alleviate a long-standing frustration among travelers.

Starting November 20, the company’s new policy will largely prohibit hosts from asking guests to perform cleaning duties typically handled by professional cleaners. This move responds to feedback from travelers who have been frustrated by extensive checkout instructions, especially after already paying cleaning fees in addition to their nightly rates.

According to the updated guidelines, hosts cannot ask guests to wash and put away dishes, take sheets off the beds, start laundry, or remove trash from the property. However, they are still allowed to request that visitors place dirty dishes in the sink, gather used towels, and sort trash into designated bins.

Airbnb pointed out that requiring guests to do work usually handled by cleaning staff can negatively impact their experience and affect property ratings.

Additionally, hosts will be required to share their house rules and cleaning requests prior to booking, which should prevent any surprises for travelers through messages or verbal instructions later on.

Hosts can choose from seven standard categories for house rules, including policies on smoking, pets, quiet hours, maximum guests, and checkout procedures. Any extra requests need to be reasonable and cannot be classified as mandatory rules.

These changes come after years of complaints about the way some Airbnb hosts have treated paying guests more like free labor than vacationers.

A Reddit post in September 2023 from a property owner and frequent Airbnb user highlighted this issue, receiving thousands of upvotes. The user criticized other hosts for placing excessive demands on guests, suggesting that the competition really is with hotels, and that guests shouldn’t be expected to cover ordinary wear and tear.

The host expressed concern that burdensome checkout lists, along with cleaning fees, could push travelers back to traditional hotels.

Interestingly, not all hosts are on board with the new restrictions. One Airbnb host mentioned removing their property from the platform after the announcement, arguing that it should be the guests’ responsibility to clean up after themselves. They also indicated that they might start charging cleaning fees in light of the changes.

It’s important to note that Airbnb’s new rules don’t eliminate cleaning fees altogether, and guests still need to avoid creating excessive messes or damage to the property. The company clarifies that hosts cannot charge guests extra fees for failing to complete checkout tasks outlined in the new policy.

Hosts who repeatedly do not comply with these updated guidelines could face warnings, reduced search visibility, or alerts to potential guests regarding issues with their listings.

These changes also tie into a larger initiative aimed at improving transparency in vacation rental pricing. Earlier this year, Airbnb announced that it would display total booking prices, including all mandatory fees prior to taxes, in search results worldwide.

Furthermore, the Federal Trade Commission mandates that short-term lodging providers disclose any required charges, such as cleaning fees, in their advertised total prices.