Airbnb is limiting what hosts can ask guests to do—especially around cleaning. For reservations booked on or after 20 November, the company says guests should not be asked to perform tasks typically done by a cleaner, including stripping beds, taking trash offsite, or washing and putting away dishes, according to new requirements on Airbnb’s website reported by BBC News.
What Airbnb says is changing
“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,” Airbnb told the BBC. “So, we’ve redesigned them to make them easier to discover and clearer to set, alongside a new policy that keeps requests reasonable, with no surprises.”
BBC News reports the updated guidelines let hosts set seven standard house rules and add other “reasonable” requests. Airbnb states guests—who are required to pay a cleaning fee—should not be asked to complete cleaner-level chores.
The fine print and enforcement
Per BBC News, Airbnb says the new rules will apply to all reservations booked on or after 20 November. House rules will be displayed more prominently to guests and included in reservation reminders. Contracts will be allowed only in limited circumstances, such as when required by law or homeowners association rules, the outlet reports. Hosts will not be able to impose fines, according to the company, but remain in control of their house rules and requests. If a request violates Airbnb policies, the platform will flag it and the owner can appeal.
Exceptions and local limits
BBC News notes Airbnb may grant exceptions. One example cited: asking guests to limit shower time during local drought-related water restrictions.
Why this landed now, according to reporting
BBC News reports guests have long complained about pre-departure chores despite cleaning fees. The outlet also highlights recent viral TikTok clips from Airbnb hosts Cassie and Jon in Georgia showing detailed inspections after guests leave; one video accuses guests of “disrespecting the house rules” over a misplaced TV remote. BBC News says the pair were criticized for strict standards and responded that their content had been misinterpreted. Their clips sparked parodies of stringent hosts.
