Airbnb will implement new guest checkout rules starting next month to reduce the cleaning tasks required before departure. The company has revised its policies to limit the cleaning responsibilities hosts can assign to guests. These changes, effective for bookings made on or after November 20, aim to streamline the guest experience.
Under the updated guidelines, hosts are urged to exercise reasonableness in their cleaning expectations. Guests will no longer be obligated to perform tasks that require significant time or effort, or tasks typically handled by professional cleaners. Such tasks include changing bed linens, disposing of garbage off-site, and washing dishes. The cleaning fee charged by Airbnb should now only cover basic tidying between guest stays, and hosts cannot bill guests for incomplete cleaning tasks.
The revision comes amidst long-standing debates regarding Airbnb cleaning responsibilities. Hosts have recounted instances of guests leaving messy accommodations, while some have highlighted the inconvenience of paying a cleaning fee and still being tasked with cleaning duties. On the other hand, guests have expressed frustration over cleaning fees and being burdened with post-checkout chores.
Makarand Mody, an associate professor at Boston University’s School of Hospitality Administration, pointed out the discord between cleaning fees and guest cleaning obligations. The timing of Airbnb’s policy change has raised questions, and the company has been contacted for clarification.
In addition to cleaning-related updates, the new policy prohibits hosts from restricting the use of advertised amenities or imposing fines on guests, as AirCover already provides protection against guest-related damages. House rules and requests must be transparently communicated in the listing at the time of booking, with no post-booking additions allowed. While hosts can introduce reasonable requests at any time, Airbnb will evaluate the appropriateness based on various factors.
The open-ended definition of “reasonable” within the policy aims to provide hosts with flexibility while ensuring guest satisfaction. How hosts adapt to these changes and how Airbnb enforces the regulations will be closely observed to maintain a balance between host and guest experiences.