Airbnb is changing its global house rules to prevent hosts from requiring guests to complete routine cleaning tasks that would normally be handled by professional cleaners. The updated policy is expected to apply to bookings made from November 20 and has already created disagreement between property owners and travellers. While many guests welcome the change, some hosts fear it could increase their costs and make managing holiday rentals more difficult.
Under the new rules, hosts will no longer be able to demand that guests wash and put away dishes, strip beds or take rubbish away from the property. Hosts will still be able to establish standard house rules and make other reasonable requests, but the platform wants to limit checkout instructions that effectively transfer normal cleaning duties to paying customers.
The change follows complaints from travellers who say some short-term rental properties have introduced long lists of tasks despite charging separate cleaning fees. Guests have described being asked to wash towels, clean kitchens, prepare bedding and complete other jobs before leaving. Some argue that these expectations reduce the convenience of renting a holiday property and make hotels appear more attractive.
One traveller, Jessica Newhook, described an experience at a Florida rental booked for a family gathering. Her group was reportedly asked to leave the property ready for cleaners despite paying a cleaning fee of $250. The experience raised questions about what guests should reasonably be expected to do after paying for accommodation and cleaning services.
Property owners have raised different concerns. Lisa Clewes, who operates a holiday rental in Wales, said a group of guests left her property in poor condition after a dinner gathering. She described broken glasses, rubbish, dirty pans and fish remains in the garden. The property normally requires several hours of cleaning before the next guests arrive, and she fears that additional mess could increase the cost of preparing the accommodation.
Some hosts believe basic tasks should remain part of responsible guest behaviour. They argue that emptying rubbish bins, washing dishes and leaving a property in reasonable condition are simple acts of respect. Others accept that guests should not be expected to carry out extensive cleaning when they have already paid a fee intended to cover those services.
The disagreement also reflects the different expectations that shape the short-term rental market. Hotels generally provide cleaning as part of their service, while holiday rentals often depend on individual owners and local cleaning teams. Airbnb’s policy change may make the experience more consistent, but it could also lead some property owners to adjust their prices or cleaning charges.
For travellers, the update could make checkout easier and reduce uncertainty about what is expected before departure. For hosts, the main challenge will be managing the condition of properties between bookings without relying on long task lists. The platform’s review system may continue to encourage guests and owners to treat each other fairly.
The new rules highlight a wider question about the balance between affordability and service in the holiday rental industry. Airbnb is trying to make its accommodation more attractive to guests, but property owners must also cover the real costs of maintaining their homes. How both sides respond after November 20 will help determine whether the policy improves the experience or creates new disagreements.
