Airbnb is banning hosts from forcing guests to complete time-consuming checkout chores under a global policy change that takes effect for new bookings made from November 20, 2026. The updated rules are designed to stop guests being expected to carry out tasks normally handled by professional cleaners.
Under the new approach, hosts will no longer be able to require guests to wash and put away dishes, strip bed linen, do laundry or take rubbish away from the property as a condition of checking out. The changes follow complaints from travellers who questioned why they should complete lengthy cleaning checklists after paying to stay, sometimes alongside a separate cleaning fee.
What the new policy means for guests
Airbnb's updated "Reasonable Requests" policy aims to make checkout expectations clearer and prevent guests from facing unexpected demands at the end of their stay. However, the changes do not mean guests can leave a property in any condition they choose.
Hosts will still be able to ask visitors to carry out simple tasks, such as placing dirty dishes in the sink, gathering used towels in one place and separating rubbish into designated indoor bins. Guests are also expected to leave accommodation reasonably tidy and treat the property respectfully.
Clearer rules before booking
Under the new approach, hosts will be required to make their checkout rules clear to guests before they book, rather than surprising them with additional demands when they are preparing to leave. The rules are intended to give travellers a clearer idea of what is expected before committing to a stay, while allowing hosts to maintain reasonable standards.
For anyone booking an Airbnb, it will still be worth checking the listing carefully for checkout instructions and any applicable cleaning fees before confirming a reservation. The changes apply to new bookings made on or after November 20, 2026, meaning guests with existing reservations may need to check which terms apply to their stay.
Hosts' response and next steps
An Airbnb spokesperson said: "House rules help guests understand what hosts expect, but we've heard from our community that they can be confusing, onerous and hard to manage. So we've redesigned them to make them easier to discover and clearer to set, alongside a new policy that keeps requests reasonable, with no surprises.
"Hosts can now choose from 7 standard house rules and add reasonable requests, all in one place. House rules are now displayed more prominently on the listing page, in the guest's Trips tab, and in reservation reminders.
"Under the new policy, requests must be reasonable. For example, guests shouldn't be asked to wash and put away dishes, but hosts can ask them to put used dishes in the sink.
"Host-imposed fines aren't allowed, and contracts are only permitted in limited circumstances, such as where required by law or homeowners association rules.
"Hosts remain in control of their house rules and requests, and can update them anytime. If a request doesn't follow the policy, we'll flag the issue, and they can appeal if they disagree."
