Airbnb guests no longer have to wash the dishes or strip the beds at checkout

Airbnb has announced new policies effective November 20th that will eliminate common checkout tasks for guests, such as washing dishes, stripping beds, and taking out trash. Hosts are now only allowed to make "reasonable" requests, but not those typically performed by professional cleaners. Airbnb emphasizes that hosts should consider what would be unreasonable from a guest's perspective.

The company recognizes that cleaning fees can create mixed expectations between hosts and travelers, and the new rules aim to alleviate potential conflicts. Exceptions may apply in specific situations, like when guests must dispose of trash in bear-proof containers in areas with wildlife. Hosts will now have to list all house rules and requirements in a specific section of their listing before guests make a reservation, and they cannot introduce additional rules during the booking process through messages, signs, or other listing sections.

Airbnb is also standardizing house rules into seven categories, including overnight guests, quiet hours, pets, smoking, and whether guests must lock up at checkout. This move is part of Airbnb's broader initiative to make the booking process more predictable for travelers. CEO Brian Chesky acknowledged in 2023 that the diverse range of properties on the platform creates uncertainty for guests, stating that they want guests to know exactly what they're getting before booking.