Airbnb bans beds-stripping and dishwashing chores from 20 November
Airbnb hosts worldwide may no longer require guests to strip beds, take rubbish offsite or wash and put away dishes under policy taking effect 20 November.
The story in focus
Airbnb hosts will generally no longer be able to require guests to strip beds, take rubbish offsite or wash and put away dishes, under global policy changes effective 20 November. Hosts may also no longer impose fines and will be limited in the contracts they can require guests to sign.
- Rules bar chores that demand significant effort or would normally be done by a cleaner
- Hosts may set seven standard house rules plus other reasonable requests, shown at booking
- Contracts are permitted only in limited cases, such as when law or homeowners association rules require them
What the new rules prohibit
Airbnb says hosts are generally barred from asking guests to complete tasks requiring significant effort or time, or that would typically be performed by a cleaner. Named examples include stripping beds of linen, taking rubbish offsite and washing and putting away dishes. Placing used dishes in the sink remains acceptable.
Hosts can also no longer fine guests. Where a host's request falls outside Airbnb policy, the issue is flagged and the host can appeal.
Standard rules and exceptions
Hosts may set seven standard house rules, which must be displayed in full at booking and will appear in guests' reservation reminders. These cover matters such as check-in and check-out times, guest limits, smoking, quiet hours and pets.
Other requests are allowed where reasonable and tied to local conditions. Airbnb gives the examples of limiting shower time under drought-related water restrictions and requiring rubbish to go in an animal-proof container. The company says it may grant exceptions in some circumstances.
Contracts are allowed only in limited situations, including where required by law or homeowners association rules.
Pricing context and rollout
The policy follows long-standing guest complaints about paying cleaning fees while still completing departure chores. Since April 2025, cleaning fees have not been shown to guests; hosts may instead include cleaning costs in the total stay price.
The changes apply to reservations booked on or after 20 November. Airbnb says house rules had become confusing and onerous, and that the redesign aims to make them clearer to set and easier to find.
Do the new Airbnb chore rules apply to existing bookings?
Airbnb says the rules apply to all reservations booked on or after 20 November. The company has not said they cover stays booked before that date.
Sources & further reading
- Airbnb guests freed from chores involving ‘significant effort’ under new global rules ↗The Guardian
- Airbnb hosts can no longer make guests strip beds and wash dishes under new rules ↗BBC News
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