Starting at the end of next month, guests using Airbnb accommodations will be relieved of some cleaning responsibilities when checking out. The popular short-term rental platform has implemented new guidelines limiting the extent to which hosts can require guests to clean before departure. These updated rules will affect bookings made on or after November 20.
Under the revised policy, hosts are urged to exercise reasonableness in their cleaning expectations. Guests will no longer be asked to perform tasks that require significant time or effort, or tasks typically handled by professional cleaners. Duties such as changing the bed linens, taking out trash to offsite locations, and washing dishes are now the responsibility of hosts rather than guests. The cleaning fee charged by Airbnb should now only cover basic tidying between guest stays, and hosts are prohibited from imposing additional fees should guests fail to complete cleaning tasks on the checkout list.
The decision to implement these changes stems from longstanding debates surrounding Airbnb cleaning responsibilities. Hosts have shared tales of guests leaving untidy spaces, while some have taken to social media platforms like Reddit and TikTok to voice their frustrations over cleaning fees and assigned chores. Makarand Mody, an associate professor at Boston University’s School of Hospitality Administration, highlighted the discord between cleaning fees and guest expectations, emphasizing the disparity with traditional hotel experiences.
In addition to cleaning regulations, the new policy prohibits hosts from restricting guests’ access to advertised amenities or imposing fines or penalties. Airbnb’s AirCover protection already safeguards hosts against property damage by guests. House rules and requests must be clearly outlined on the listing at the time of booking, with no post-booking additions allowed. These rules cover various aspects such as check-in/out times, smoking policies, pet regulations, noise restrictions, guest limits, and photography permissions.
While hosts are permitted to make reasonable requests and update them as needed, Airbnb will evaluate the validity of such requests based on several criteria, including the property type and local context. The company has intentionally left the definition of “reasonable” broad to provide hosts with flexibility. Mody expressed curiosity about how hosts will adapt to these changes and how Airbnb will enforce the new regulations. He suggested that Airbnb aims to maintain a balance between host satisfaction and guest experience by allowing hosts some autonomy in property management.