Airbnb guests will no longer be required to wash dishes, strip beds, or take out the trash as part of checkout procedures under a new policy from the short-term rental platform. The updated rules, which go into effect on November 20, limit hosts to only “reasonable” checkout requests.

While guests may still be asked to leave used towels in a designated spot, place dishes in the sink, or sort trash and recycling, hosts generally cannot mandate tasks typically handled by professional cleaning staff. Airbnb communicated in a video to hosts, "Remember to think like a guest and keep in mind what you’d find unreasonable."

The issue of checkout chores has been a consistent point of friction for Airbnb guests, particularly when accompanied by cleaning fees. The company has previously acknowledged that these fees can sometimes lead to differing expectations between hosts and travelers.

Airbnb stated that exceptions to the new rules might be made in specific situations, such as requiring guests to secure trash in animal-proof containers in areas known for wildlife like bears. Hosts are now also required to clearly disclose all house rules and requests in a dedicated section of their listing before a guest books, preventing them from adding extra requirements through messages or on-site signage.

As part of these changes, Airbnb is standardizing house rules into seven distinct categories. These categories will cover aspects such as rules for overnight guests, quiet hours, pet policies, smoking regulations, and whether guests need to secure the property upon departure.

These updates are part of Airbnb's broader efforts to enhance predictability for travelers booking rentals. In 2023, CEO Brian Chesky noted that the diverse range of properties available on Airbnb can create uncertainty for guests. He previously told The Associated Press, "A lot of guests have described booking Airbnb, once they check in, it’s a moment of truth. Is the house exactly what they expected?... We don’t want this to be a moment of truth. We want you to know exactly what you’re going to get before you book.”