Airbnb Updates Checkout Rules to Ban Heavy Chores and Standardize Guest Policies
Airbnb introduces new checkout guidelines limiting hosts to reasonable requests starting Nov. 20, ending mandatory chores like scrubbing and bed-stripping.
POLICY WIRE — San Francisco, United States — Travelers utilizing the short-term rental platform Airbnb will soon be exempt from rigorous checkout chores such as washing dishes or stripping beds, under a newly introduced policy set to take effect on November 20.
While hosts are still permitted to ask guests for reasonable favors like placing dirty dishes in the sink, gathering used towels, or separating trash and recycling, the company’s updated guidelines generally prohibit demanding tasks typically managed by professional cleaning crews.
In an instructional video distributed to property owners, Airbnb advised hosts to adopt a traveler’s mindset and evaluate what might feel unreasonable. The platform noted that specific exceptions could apply in unique environments, such as requiring guests to secure trash in animal-proof containers in regions populated by bears.
Additionally, property owners must now prominently display all house rules and checkout requests within a designated section of their listing prior to any booking confirmation. Airbnb has officially banned the practice of introducing extra requirements through direct messaging, physical signs inside the accommodation, or alternative sections of a listing.
To further streamline the booking process, Airbnb is standardizing all house regulations into seven distinct categories. These specific classifications cover essential topics including quiet hours, overnight visitors, pets, smoking regulations, and instructions regarding whether guests are required to lock up upon departure.
These modifications represent the latest phase in Airbnb’s broader strategic initiatives to enhance predictability and transparency for consumers. Back in 2023, CEO Brian Chesky acknowledged to The Associated Press that the wide variety of available properties often generated uncertainty for individuals booking stays.
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? Chesky told the news organization during an interview. 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.
Reporting by Policy-Wire (PW)
