In brief
Airbnb announced new rules that restrict hosts from requiring guests to perform chores typically left to cleaners, such as stripping beds or washing dishes. The guidelines give hosts only seven standard house rules and allow extra requests only if they are reasonable. The changes, effective from Nov. 20, come after guest complaints about extra duties while paying a cleaning fee. Hosts can still manage house rules but will no longer impose fines or ask for time‑consuming tasks unless exceptional situations like water restrictions apply.
Airbnb has rolled out updated house‐rules guidelines that barred hosts from asking guests to handle chores normally conducted by a cleaner, such as stripping beds or washing dishes. The new policy will apply to all bookings made on or after 20 November.
Under the revised rules, hosts can set up to seven standard house rules and may add other "reasonable" requests, but they must not require guests to commit significant effort or time. The restrictions cover stripping beds, removing trash from the property, and washing or putting away dishes. Exceptions can only be made in special circumstances, such as local water‑use restrictions during drought.
The changes follow persistent guest complaints about being asked to perform tasks while already paying a cleaning fee, and come as hosts increasingly notice how guests often leave items disorganized or dirty. Airbnb said it will now display a property’s rules more prominently in reservations and reminders, and will flag any request that violates the policy.
Hosts remain in control of their house rules, although they can no longer impose fines. If a host believes a request was incorrectly flagged, they can appeal the decision. Airbnb’s move seeks to balance host expectations with fair treatment of guests and to reduce surprises during stays.
