Starting next month, guests using Airbnb services will have reduced responsibilities upon checkout. The popular short-term rental platform has revised its regulations to limit the cleaning tasks hosts can request from guests. The updated guidelines, effective for bookings made on or after November 20, emphasize the need for hosts to exercise reasonableness in their expectations.
Under the new policy, hosts are no longer permitted to ask guests to perform tasks that require significant effort, time, or are typically handled by professional cleaners. Duties such as changing bed linens, disposing of garbage off-site, or washing and storing used dishes are now excluded. The cleaning fee charged by Airbnb should only cover a basic cleaning between guest stays, and hosts are prohibited from levying additional fees if guests fail to complete the designated cleaning tasks.
The revision in cleaning policies comes after longstanding debates surrounding Airbnb cleaning responsibilities. Hosts have recounted instances of guests leaving untidy spaces, while social media platforms like Reddit and TikTok have showcased guests’ grievances over cleaning fees and expectations. Makarand Mody, an associate professor from Boston University, noted the discrepancy between cleaning fees and guests being required to tidy up, highlighting the importance of aligning guest experiences with traditional hotel standards.
In addition to cleaning guidelines, hosts are now barred from limiting guests’ access to advertised amenities or imposing fines, as they are already covered by AirCover for damages. House rules and requests must be clearly stated in the listing at the time of booking, with no post-booking additions permitted. While hosts can introduce reasonable requests that are subject to evaluation by Airbnb based on various factors, the company aims to preserve hosts’ autonomy while ensuring guest satisfaction.
Mody expressed curiosity about hosts’ reactions to the policy change and Airbnb’s enforcement strategy, noting the open-ended nature of the term “reasonable” to provide hosts with flexibility. He emphasized the delicate balance between catering to hosts’ needs and maintaining a guest-centric approach to property management within the Airbnb platform.