Airbnb hosts globally are frustrated over the company’s recent, stringent policy changes—prompting many landlords to consider leaving the platform entirely.
The new regulations will go into effect on November 20 and will generally prevent hosts from asking guests to complete cleaning tasks such as washing dishes, stripping beds, or hauling away trash. Airbnb has essentially told hosts to stop requiring vacationers to act like maids, particularly after charging for cleaning fees.
“When adding a request, remember that most guests want to avoid unexpected chores,” the company cautioned hosts. “Asking them to do things a cleaner should handle can negatively affect their stay and your reviews.”
Instead of adapting, many property owners are venting their frustrations in Airbnb’s community forums, arguing that the new rules will degrade the quality of their rentals.
One host expressed concern about guests potentially damaging their properties: “They will rob us of toilet paper, destroy our towels and linens, leave holes and dents in walls. And now you are ALLOWING guests to come in and be slobs.”
Some hosts are even considering alternative options. One mentioned feeling like Airbnb is pushing them away: “I get the feeling that Airbnb is asking me to leave the platform and look for alternative solutions, because everything is getting worse.”
Another host from Switzerland urged Airbnb to reconsider: “We do NOT agree with the new house rules and call on Airbnb to withdraw them. Every day, we ask Airbnb in writing how we should deal with mice, rats, and vermin left from trash. How is kitchen hygiene to be maintained if dishes are left dirty?”
A host from Fair Oaks, California, added that the policy could lead to increased cleaning costs, more work, and ultimately higher rental prices: “We already pay professional cleaners to prepare our home for the next guests.”
The changes aren’t just about guests cleaning up; the updated rules restrict hosts to seven allowable categories of standard house rules, requiring that further requests be deemed reasonable. However, guests won’t be completely off the hook. They can still be asked to perform some minor tasks, such as putting dirty dishes in the sink, collecting used towels, separating recycling, and turning off air conditioning.
This backlash coincides with a growing discontent over Airbnb, once celebrated as a budget travel solution, now seen as a corporate giant. Despite the complaints, Airbnb reported strong growth numbers recently, though some travelers are voicing their dissatisfaction with the service overall, expressing fatigue over high costs combined with the expectation to clean.
As one disillusioned guest pointed out, “Either ask me to clean OR charge me a cleaning fee. Don’t do both and expect me to come back.”
