Airbnb is changing its rules for hosts, restricting the cleaning tasks they can require guests to complete before checking out after years of complaints about excessive demands.
The new guidelines will apply to all bookings made from November 20, 2026, according to the company’s announcement.
The changes aim to make checkout expectations clearer and prevent guests from being asked to carry out time-consuming cleaning duties, particularly when they have already paid a separate cleaning fee.
Airbnb Limits Checkout Cleaning Demands
Under the updated policy, hosts will be able to establish seven basic house rules and make additional requests, provided those requests are considered reasonable.
However, hosts will generally be unable to require guests to complete chores that involve significant time or effort, or tasks that would normally be handled by a professional cleaner.
These include:
- Removing bed sheets before departure.
- Taking rubbish out of the property.
- Washing dishes and putting them away.
The changes address a long-running source of frustration for travellers who say they are sometimes expected to clean accommodation extensively despite paying cleaning fees as part of their booking.
Airbnb told the BBC that house rules should help guests understand what hosts expect, but acknowledged feedback that some requirements have become confusing, excessive and difficult to manage.
Exceptions Remain Under the New Policy
Airbnb will still allow certain additional requests in specific circumstances.
For example, hosts in areas experiencing drought or water restrictions may ask guests to limit their shower time.
The platform will also make property rules more prominent during the booking process and include them in reservation reminders, giving guests a clearer understanding of their obligations before arrival.
Additional contractual requirements will be permitted only in limited circumstances, such as when they are required by law or by a homeowners association.
Hosts will also be prohibited from imposing fines for breaches of house rules under the updated policy.
They will retain control over their property’s rules and requests, but requirements that do not comply with Airbnb’s policy may be flagged, with hosts given an opportunity to appeal.
Viral Videos Fuel Debate Over Airbnb Rules
The policy change follows years of complaints from guests about strict checkout instructions, particularly when cleaning fees are charged separately.
The debate has also gained attention on social media, where videos from American hosts Cassie and Jon, who operate properties in Georgia, have attracted widespread discussion.
In one video, the couple criticised guests for allegedly failing to follow house rules, including leaving a television remote in a different location.
Their detailed inspections and strict expectations prompted a backlash, while the couple argued that viewers had misinterpreted their content.
Other creators subsequently produced satirical videos highlighting what they viewed as unreasonable demands placed on short-term rental guests.
What the Changes Mean for Travellers
The revised rules are intended to establish clearer boundaries between reasonable checkout expectations and cleaning work that should be handled by hosts or professional cleaners.
For guests, the changes could mean fewer departure chores and greater clarity about what is expected before they leave.
For hosts, the policy means reviewing existing house rules to ensure their requirements comply with Airbnb’s updated standards.
The central issue is the balance between asking guests to leave accommodation in an appropriate condition and expecting them to undertake substantial cleaning work before departure.
With the new rules applying to bookings made from November 20, travellers and hosts will need to pay closer attention to the platform’s updated requirements.
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