Airbnb cracks down on checkout chore lists as hosts face new limits

Airbnb is implementing new restrictions on checkout chores, informing hosts that guests should not be required to perform tasks such as stripping beds, washing dishes, or removing trash from the property before their departure. The company announced these changes on Tuesday as part of a comprehensive update to its house rules, clarifying the boundaries between acceptable requests and cleaning duties that should be managed by professional cleaners.

The revised policy will take effect for reservations made on or after November 20, 2026. Under the new guidelines, hosts are generally prohibited from asking guests to engage in labor-intensive activities or chores that are typically performed by cleaning staff.

According to Airbnb's updated rules, hosts should not require guests to wash and store dishes, strip bedding, or start laundry before checking out. However, hosts are permitted to request that guests leave used dishes in the sink, gather towels, and sort trash and recycling into designated bins located indoors.

This new approach also extends to the use of amenities. While hosts should not discourage guests from utilizing advertised features like air conditioning, they can request that guests turn off these amenities when they leave the property, as stated by Airbnb.

Airbnb emphasized in its announcement that hosts should remember that most guests prefer to avoid unexpected chores, warning that imposing cleaning tasks could negatively impact their ratings and reviews.

In an effort to minimize surprises following a booking, Airbnb has mandated that all house rules and requests must be clearly stated in the designated section of the listing when guests make a reservation. Hosts are not allowed to add new requirements after the booking through messages, signs within the property, or in-person instructions.

Furthermore, hosts cannot impose their own fines or penalties, although they can inform guests about potential fines that may be issued by homeowners associations, building security, or local authorities.

To ensure compliance with these new measures, Airbnb plans to flag any requests that contravene the policy and will send emails to hosts with advice on how to rectify the situation. Hosts will have the opportunity to appeal any flagged requests.

If violations remain unresolved, Airbnb will notify potential guests of the cleaning requests on the listing. Repeated offenses could result in decreased visibility in search results or other actions taken by the company.

Airbnb will consider exceptions to these rules depending on specific property circumstances and local conditions. For instance, hosts located in areas known for bear activity may be allowed to ask guests to store garbage in bear-proof containers. Additionally, restrictions on shower time might be deemed reasonable in regions facing drought-related water shortages.

Alongside the new policy, Airbnb has streamlined its standard house rules into seven categories, which include limits on overnight guests, quiet hours, event policies, pet regulations, smoking restrictions, rules regarding commercial photography, and guidelines for securing the property at checkout.

Guests are still required to adhere to these house rules, and while compliance with reasonable host requests is encouraged, Airbnb has stated that hosts can reach out to the company for assistance. Should a guest violate a house rule during their stay, or indicate before check-in an intention to do so, hosts may cancel the reservation without incurring fees or facing other penalties.