Airbnb will limit the checkout chores hosts can ask guests to complete under a new policy announced on October 20. The changes address a familiar frustration for travellers: paying a cleaning fee while facing a list of household tasks.
The policy applies to reservations booked on or after November 20, 2026. Hosts generally cannot ask guests to strip beds, wash and put away dishes, or take rubbish offsite. Airbnb says cleaners should handle tasks that require substantial time or effort.
However, simpler requests remain acceptable. Hosts can ask guests to leave used dishes in the sink, gather used towels and separate rubbish from recycling.
“Remember to think like a guest and keep in mind what you’d find unreasonable,” Airbnb tells hosts in its announcement video.
The distinction matters for guests who already pay cleaning fees. Checkout chores have repeatedly caused friction, and Airbnb has acknowledged that cleaning charges can create different expectations between hosts and travellers.
The new policy does not remove every responsibility at departure. Hosts can still require guests to lock up and explain where to return keys. They can also request that guests switch off air conditioning when leaving. However, they generally cannot restrict access to amenities advertised with the property.
Local conditions may justify exceptions. In areas with bears, hosts may ask guests to place rubbish in animal-proof containers. Airbnb also cites drought-related water restrictions as a possible reason for requesting shorter showers. The company considers the property, type of stay and local circumstances when assessing requests.
Hosts must disclose every house rule and request in the designated listing section before guests book. They cannot introduce additional requirements through private messages, signs inside the property or other parts of the listing.
Airbnb has also organised standard house rules into seven categories. These cover maximum overnight guests, quiet hours, events, pets, smoking, commercial photography and filming, and locking up at checkout. Smoking rules include vaping and electronic cigarettes. Guests can review the information before booking and through their Trips tab.
Airbnb may warn hosts and request changes when listings breach the policy. Persistent violations could trigger notices for guests or reduce a listing’s visibility in search results. Guests must follow house rules, while Airbnb encourages compliance with reasonable requests.
The changes continue Airbnb’s effort to make stays more predictable. In 2023, chief executive Brian Chesky described the uncertainty guests sometimes face when arriving.
“A lot of guests have described booking Airbnb, once they check in, it’s a moment of truth. Is the house exactly what they expected?” he told The Associated Press.
“We don’t want this to be a moment of truth. We want you to know exactly what you’re going to get before you book.”
