Airbnb will introduce its first published house rules policy defining reasonable host requests on 20 November. Under the revised approach, hosts are generally prohibited from asking departing guests to wash and put away dishes, strip beds, do laundry or take out rubbish. The dividing line is whether a task requires substantial time or effort, or would ordinarily be performed by a cleaner. Minor requests, such as placing used tableware in the sink or gathering used towels, remain acceptable.
Hosts will be able to select seven standard rules covering check-in and checkout times, approved guest numbers, smoking, pet approval, quiet hours and commercial filming or photography. Additional requests must be reasonable and communicated through the dedicated section of the listing, rather than introduced after booking through messages, signs or face-to-face instructions. Exceptions may be granted in particular circumstances: a property in an area with known bear populations could require rubbish to be placed in an animal-proof container.
Airbnb will flag non-compliant requests, requiring hosts to remove them or appeal. Repeated violations could trigger a warning on the listing, reduced visibility in search results or further action, including cancelled bookings, loss of Superhost or Guest Favourite status, or account suspension. Cleaning fees should cover only a standard clean between guests, and hosts may not charge guests for failing to complete listed checkout tasks. Airbnb said the changes respond to community concerns that house rules can be confusing and burdensome.
