Airbnb Updates Guest Policies, Limiting Cleaning Requirements
New rules, effective November 20, aim to simplify expectations and reduce guest burdens.
Airbnb is implementing new house rules that will restrict the cleaning tasks hosts can assign to guests. The changes, which apply to bookings made on or after November 20, will generally prohibit hosts from requiring guests to strip beds, wash and put away dishes, or remove trash from the property.
Hosts will still be able to ask guests to perform simpler tasks, such as placing used dishes directly into the sink. According to Airbnb, these revisions are intended to address community feedback regarding confusing, burdensome, and difficult-to-manage house rules.
The company stated that the rules have been redesigned for easier discovery and clearer setup, accompanied by a new policy to ensure reasonable requests without unforeseen demands. Hosts will now choose from seven standard house rules and may add their own reasonable requests. These rules will be more prominently displayed on listings, in guests' Trips tabs, and in reservation reminders.
The updated policy also forbids hosts from imposing their own fines on guests and restricts the use of separate contracts, permitting them only in specific circumstances such as legal requirements or homeowners association mandates.
Airbnb indicated that hosts can update their house rules at any time. The company plans to flag any requests that do not align with the new policy and will offer hosts an opportunity to appeal such decisions.