Airbnb guests will face less cleaning responsibility starting next month, as the company updates its policies. The new rules, effective for bookings after November 20, limit hosts in asking guests to perform extensive cleaning tasks that would typically be done by a professional cleaner. Tasks like bed stripping, garbage disposal, and dish washing are now off the guest to-do list.
The change ensures that Airbnb’s cleaning fee covers only basic tidying between guests, and hosts cannot charge extra if guests do not complete the cleaning tasks specified at check-out. This adjustment comes after ongoing debates about cleaning responsibilities at Airbnb properties, with hosts sharing experiences of messy guest departures while guests voiced concerns over paying cleaning fees and being burdened with post-stay chores.
In addition to cleaning guidelines, hosts are now prohibited from restricting the use of listed amenities or imposing fines on guests, as AirCover already provides protection against damages. House rules must be transparent at the time of booking, covering check-in/out times, smoking, pets, noise restrictions, guest limits, and photography rules. Hosts can add reasonable requests at any time, subject to Airbnb’s assessment based on property specifics and local conditions.
The open-ended definition of “reasonable” in the new policy aims to give hosts flexibility while maintaining a balance between host and guest interests. Observers are keen to see how hosts adapt to the changes and how Airbnb ensures compliance, acknowledging the importance of host satisfaction and property control in the guest-centric platform.
