Business · Companies · 1 hr ago
Airbnb bans several checkout chores for guests
Airbnb is limiting the checkout chores hosts can require from guests at its short-term rentals.
The change applies to reservations booked on or after November 20, 2026.
Hosts generally cannot require guests to wash and put away dishes, strip beds, start laundry or take rubbish off-site.
The policy responds to years of guest complaints about chores and cleaning fees.
Hosts can still set rules such as quiet hours and maximum guest numbers, and some requests remain allowed, including conserving water during droughts.
Some hosts say they may leave Airbnb because they believe the rules shift cleaning costs and risks onto them.
Airbnb may flag requests that do not comply and ask hosts to remove them or appeal.
Airbnb will prohibit hosts from requiring guests to do time-consuming checkout chores, including stripping beds, washing dishes and taking rubbish away.
The policy applies to reservations made on or after November 20, 2026.
Airbnb says guests may still be asked to do simpler tasks, such as placing used dishes in the sink or gathering towels.
Some hosts have criticised the change, saying it could increase costs or lead them to leave the platform.
The company says guests must still leave properties in reasonable condition and may be held responsible for damage or excessive cleaning.
- Who
- Airbnb, its hosts and guests.
- What
- Airbnb is banning hosts from requiring guests to complete certain time-consuming checkout chores.
- When
- For reservations made on or after November 20, 2026.
- Where
- The policy applies globally, including bookings in Australia.
- Why
- Airbnb says checkout rules can be confusing and onerous; the change also responds to travellers’ complaints about doing chores after paying cleaning fees.
Airbnb and guests seeking fewer checkout chores
Hosts opposing the restrictions
Checkout chores
Airbnb and guests seeking fewer checkout chores
Airbnb bars hosts from requiring tasks such as stripping beds, washing dishes and removing rubbish; guests may still be asked to do simpler tasks.
Hosts opposing the restrictions
Some hosts say cleaning responsibilities help protect their homes and maintain sanitary conditions.
Effects of the policy
Airbnb and guests seeking fewer checkout chores
The change addresses complaints from guests who pay cleaning fees but are still expected to do chores.
Hosts opposing the restrictions
Some hosts warn the rules could raise costs, disadvantage smaller operators or prompt them to leave Airbnb.
Airbnb announced the policy change, which drew criticism from some hosts.
The new rules are due to apply to reservations made on or after this date.
- Policy start
- Reservations made on or after November 20, 2026
- Banned tasks
- Stripping beds, washing and putting away dishes, starting laundry, and removing rubbish
- Permitted simple requests
- Placing used dishes in the sink and gathering used towels
- Policy reach
- Global, including Australia
- Possible enforcement
- Warnings, listing removal or a platform ban for violations in severe situations
4 sources
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What people are saying
House rules help guests understand what hosts expect, but we've heard from our community that they can be confusing, onerous and hard to manage
reasonable
It's going to incentivise soulless, basic rentals and raise cleaning and liability costs that guests will ultimately bear the burden of.
Guests are given complete freedom to be lazy while the hosts bear the risk.