Airbnb Introduces New Rules for Hosts Limiting Checkout Chores Like Laundry, Dishes and Trash
Airbnb Introduces New Rules for Hosts Limiting Checkout Chores Like Laundry, Dishes and Trash
Colson ThayerWed, October 21, 2026 at 8:54 PM UTC
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L: A phone displays the Airbnb logo; R: A stock image depicts a woman washing dishesCredit: Thomas Fuller/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty; Getty -
Airbnb is introducing new guidelines limiting what cleaning tasks hosts can require of their guests when they check out
The policy, which goes into effect on Nov. 20, applies to tasks like washing dishes, doing laundry and taking trash to another location
All “reasonable requests” must be included on the listing at the time of booking and cannot be added later, per Airbnb
If you’ve ever paid a hefty cleaning fee only to be faced wit a chore list on vacation, relief may be on the way. Airbnb is introducing a new set of guidelines limiting what hosts can ask of their guests on their way out the door.
On Oct. 20, the vacation rental platform unveiled an policy establishing seven standardized house rules that can be set for every listing, including maximum number of overnight guests, set quiet hours as well as guidelines about pets and smoking. Beyond the standard rule categories, hosts can only add what the platform calls “reasonable requests.”
“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,” an Airbnb spokesperson said in a statement shared with PEOPLE. “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.”
A stock image depicts a professional housecleaner.Credit: Getty
According to the new policy, which applies to all reservations made on or after Nov. 20, hosts are generally not allowed to “ask guests to complete tasks that require significant effort or time, or would typically be performed by a cleaner.” The listed examples include “stripping the bed, taking trash offsite, or washing and putting away dishes.”
In the kitchen, guests can still be asked to gather used dishes in the sink. For laundry, hosts can ask them to collect used towels. Trash should remain on site, but guests can be asked to separate into designated trash and recycling bins inside. As for utilities, guests shouldn’t be asked to avoid using any listed amenity, like air conditioning, but hosts can ask them to turn it off as they leave.
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The company may grant certain exceptions based on specific situations, like asking guests to keep trash in an animal-proof container in bear country or asking them to limit shower time based on local drought conditions. However, all house rules and requests need to be on the listing at the time of booking and none can be added later.
A stock image depicts a woman stripping bed sheets.Credit: Getty
Airbnb says it will flag any requests that don’t follow the new policy to hosts. The company intends to follow up with an email and provide tips for resolving any issues. They’ll also offer an opportunity for hosts to submit an appeal.
“Guests may see an alert on your listing, such as ‘includes cleaning requests,’ if an issue goes unresolved,” the company tells hosts.
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Additionally, host-imposed fines are also not allowed as Airbnb’s AirCover already provides protection for hosts in the event their property is damaged by a guest during a stay.
on People
Source: “AOL Breaking”
