Airbnb bans excessive check-out chores in community policy update
Airbnb has updated its rules to prevent hosts from requiring guests to perform significant check-out tasks like taking out bins or stripping bed linen. According to a policy update shared with Euronews Travel, guests can no longer be asked to do things requiring significant effort or time. Cleaning fees should only cover a standard tidy up, and hosts cannot charge guests for failing to complete unapproved tasks.
Key points
- Airbnb updated its rules to prohibit hosts from assigning onerous check-out tasks.
- Guests cannot be asked to perform tasks requiring significant effort, such as stripping bed linen or taking out bins.
- Hosts are prohibited from asking guests to wash and put away dishes, though putting used tableware in the sink is permitted.
- Cleaning fees are intended to cover a standard tidy up between guests, and hosts cannot charge extra fees for uncompleted tasks.
What happened
Airbnb has introduced a community policy update that prevents short-term rental hosts from requiring guests to complete burdensome check-out chores. Under the updated rules, tasks that require significant effort or time, or that would typically be performed by a professional cleaner, are banned.
Euronews Travel reports that examples of prohibited requests include stripping bed linen or taking out the bins. While guests cannot be asked to wash and put away dishes, hosts are permitted to ask them to place used tableware in the sink.
Context
Airbnb stated that while house rules help outline expectations, community feedback indicated that previous requirements were often confusing, onerous, and hard to manage. The company redesigned the system to make rules clearer and easier to discover across listing pages, trips tabs, and reservation reminders.
The updated platform features seven standard house rules covering check-in and check-out times, guest counts, smoking, pets, quiet hours, and commercial film or photography. Hosts may add reasonable requests, but Airbnb will flag non-compliant rules for removal or appeal. Furthermore, cleaning fees should only cover a standard tidy up, and guests cannot be charged for omitting tasks not listed in approved checkout duties.
What is next
Hosts will need to ensure their house rules align with the new policy guidelines. Airbnb will actively flag requests that fall outside the permitted scope, requiring hosts to either remove them or submit an appeal.
Why it matters
Airbnb guests are no longer required to perform onerous check-out chores like stripping beds or taking out bins under a new policy update.
What we know
- Airbnb updated its rules to prevent hosts from asking guests to perform check-out tasks that require significant effort or time.
- Hosts are not allowed to ask guests to wash and put away dishes, but can ask them to put used tableware in the sink.
- Cleaning fees should only cover a standard tidy up between guests, and hosts cannot charge guests for failing to complete unapproved checkout tasks.
How the story developed
Airbnb updates community policy to restrict check-out chores
Airbnb released a statement detailing new rules that prohibit hosts from imposing burdensome check-out tasks on guests.
Original source
