Airbnb is introducing explicit limits on checkout chores under a revised house rules policy taking effect November 20. Hosts will generally be prohibited from asking guests to wash dishes, strip beds, take out garbage, or do laundry. The policy excludes tasks requiring substantial time or effort, as well as work typically performed by a cleaner. Modest requests, including placing used tableware in the sink or gathering used towels, remain permissible. This is the first time Airbnb has published a house rules policy explicitly distinguishing reasonable requests from unreasonable ones.
Hosts will be able to select seven standard house rules and supplement them with reasonable requests. The standard options address check-in and checkout times, approved guest numbers, smoking, pet approval, quiet hours, and commercial filming or photography. Rules and requests must be communicated through the listing’s designated section rather than introduced after booking through messages, signs at the property, or in-person instructions. House rules will also be displayed in the trips tab and reservation reminders. Exceptions may be granted for unusual circumstances, such as requiring garbage to be placed in an animal-proof container where bears are known to live.
Cleaning fees should cover routine cleaning between guests, and hosts cannot impose charges for uncompleted checkout tasks. Airbnb will flag noncompliant requests, which hosts must remove or challenge through an appeal. Repeated breaches could result in a listing notice, reduced search visibility, or further action under the company’s terms. Potential measures include canceled reservations, loss of Superhost or Guest Favorite status, and account suspension.
