Starting next month, Airbnb guests will be relieved to find reduced cleaning responsibilities before checking out. The popular short-term rental platform has implemented new guidelines limiting the cleaning tasks hosts can assign to departing guests. These updated rules will be effective for bookings made on or after November 20.
Under the new policy, hosts are urged to be “reasonable” in their expectations regarding cleaning duties. Guests will no longer be required to perform tasks that are labor-intensive, time-consuming, or typically handled by professional cleaners. This includes actions like stripping the bed, disposing of trash offsite, or washing and storing used dishes. The cleaning fee charged by Airbnb should now only cover basic cleaning between guests, and hosts are prohibited from charging guests for incomplete cleaning tasks.
The issue of Airbnb cleaning responsibilities has been a long-standing issue of contention. Hosts have shared stories of guests leaving messy accommodations, while some have showcased property conditions post-checkout on social media platforms like TikTok. On the other hand, guests have voiced complaints about paying cleaning fees only to be presented with a list of cleaning chores. Makarand Mody, an associate professor at Boston University’s School of Hospitality Administration, highlighted the discord between cleaning fees and guest expectations compared to conventional hotel experiences.
In addition to the cleaning guidelines, hosts are now barred from restricting guests’ access to advertised amenities. They are also prohibited from imposing fines or penalties as AirCover already protects hosts in case of guest-induced property damage. All house rules and requests must be transparently displayed in the listing at the time of booking, with no additional rules permitted post-booking. These regulations encompass aspects like check-in/out times, smoking policies, pet regulations, noise restrictions, guest limitations, and commercial photography guidelines.
While hosts can introduce reasonable requests that can be updated, Airbnb will evaluate their appropriateness based on various factors, such as property type and local circumstances. The company has intentionally left the definition of “reasonable” broad to offer hosts flexibility. Mody expressed curiosity about how hosts will adapt to these changes and how Airbnb will enforce the new rules, noting the company’s efforts to balance host and guest satisfaction.
It remains to be seen how hosts will navigate these adjustments and how Airbnb will oversee compliance with the revised regulations. The aim is to ensure a fair and positive experience for both hosts and guests while maintaining property standards on the platform.
