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

Airbnb guests will no longer be required to wash dishes or strip beds upon checkout, following a new policy announced this week. The short-term rental platform's revised rules, effective November 20, limit hosts to requesting "reasonable" tasks during the check-out process. While guests might still be asked to leave dishes in the sink, gather used towels, and sort trash and recycling, hosts are generally prohibited from demanding services typically performed by professional cleaners.

Airbnb advises hosts to consider what they would find unreasonable from a guest's perspective. The new policy has been met with relief from guests who have previously complained about these additional chores, especially as they are also paying cleaning fees. The company recognizes that these fees can create different expectations between hosts and travelers.

Although exceptions may apply in certain circumstances, such as asking guests to place trash in animal-proof containers in bear-populated areas, hosts must disclose all house rules and requests in a dedicated section of their listing prior to guests arriving.