Airbnb Hosts Decry New Checkout Rules, Fear Price Hikes
The platform's updated policies prohibit hosts from requiring guests to perform tasks like stripping beds or running dishwashers, sparking backlash.
Airbnb has implemented new rules that restrict what hosts can require guests to do before checking out, a move that has ignited significant frustration among property owners who fear it will lead to increased costs and operational challenges.
The updated policies, set to take effect on November 20, prohibit hosts from mandating tasks such as stripping beds, washing dishes, starting laundry, or taking out the garbage. Hosts can still request that guests place dirty dishes in the sink, gather used towels, and keep trash and recycling within designated indoor bins. However, the elimination of more involved chores has been met with strong opposition.
Hosts have taken to social media platforms like TikTok to voice their discontent. Many argue that these seemingly minor tasks significantly contribute to efficient property turnovers and help keep prices competitive. Realtor and Airbnb host Vicki Martin expressed her frustration in a video, explaining that previously she could ask guests to load dishwashers, strip beds, and separate linens. She stated that while she handles the final cleaning, guest participation in these tasks allowed her to offer perks like early check-ins and maintain lower prices.
Other hosts echoed Martin's concerns, comparing the platform's shift to that of a hotel and suggesting that vacation rentals historically came with different expectations regarding guest contributions to tidiness. The reduction in guest responsibilities is seen by some as adding substantial time to cleaning between stays, potentially impacting the speed of property turnarounds and necessitating later check-in times or earlier check-outs.
Gabriel and Laura Valk, Airbnb hosts from Greenville, South Carolina, shared their difficulties in a now-removed TikTok video. Laura Valk described the strenuous process of cleaning their Airbnb while caring for their newborn daughter, noting that a single cleaning could take two and a half to three hours. The couple questioned why they could no longer ask guests to start a dishwasher, which can run for about two hours, suggesting that in that time, they could clean an entire Airbnb. They also expressed dismay at no longer being able to require guests to remove sheets from beds. 
Criticism has also come from those who support the new rules. Some argue that hosts who are unwilling to handle cleaning themselves should hire professional cleaners, questioning the expectation of unpaid labor from guests, especially after they have already paid a cleaning fee. This sentiment has led some hosts to threaten leaving the platform or switching to competitors like Booking.com.
Airbnb maintains that the new policy is designed to simplify the checkout process and prevent guests from facing unexpected chores. The company emphasized that hosts must still ensure their rules are reasonable and disclosed in the designated section of the listing prior to booking. Guests are still expected to treat the property with respect, avoid excessive cleaning, and pay for any damages they cause. 
While the platform aims for a smoother experience for travelers, the host community remains divided, with some considering significant changes to their rental business strategies in response to the evolving policies.