Airbnb Cracks Down on Mandatory Checkout Chores
Airbnb is taking steps to limit the chores that hosts can require of guests prior to checkout, addressing a long-standing grievance among customers who often pay cleaning fees only to be handed a list of tasks to complete themselves.
Under a new policy update, Airbnb prohibits hosts from mandating that guests strip beds, wash and put away dishes, start laundry, or remove trash from the property. The guideline applies to reservations made on or after November 20.
A Response to Years of Guest Frustration
The change comes in response to years of backlash over burdensome checkout instructions and hefty fines for not disposing of trash. Many guests have voiced frustrations on social media, questioning why they should handle cleaning tasks after already paying a cleaning fee.
Hosts Push Back
However, some hosts aren't pleased with the update. In Airbnb's community forums, some argue that basic cleaning responsibilities are essential for maintaining sanitary conditions and protecting their properties. They point out that hosts must manage the costs and practical demands of preparing a property for the next guests.
One host expressed concern that the new policy leans toward a hotel-like model, detracting from the unique appeal of Airbnb:
"Guests are given complete freedom to be lazy while the hosts bear the risk. The major distinction between commercial hotels and my private home is the personal touch. Guests can certainly be expected to wash their dishes or put them in the dishwasher and remove their dirty linens. In exchange, they enjoy a personal connection and a unique environment that a hotel simply can't provide. Plus, every potential guest has the opportunity to read the listing beforehand and decide what they prefer. If these restrictions are removed, it could lead me to withdraw my listing and bid farewell to Airbnb after twelve years."
Exceptions to the Rule
Airbnb has outlined some exceptions to the new policy. Hosts may still ask guests to conserve water during droughts or to use bear-proof trash containers in areas where wildlife poses a risk.
A Delicate Balancing Act
The policy change highlights the challenge Airbnb faces in balancing the expectations of guests versus hosts, and marks another step in addressing guests' concerns. The company faced scrutiny in 2024 over price transparency when hosts tacked on cleaning fees after guests booked their listings. In 2023, the company said more than 260,000 hosts had reduced or eliminated their cleaning fees. In May 2025, Airbnb began displaying total prices—including fees but excluding taxes—by default in search results worldwide.
What's Next
It will be interesting to see how many hosts decide the new restrictions make Airbnb less attractive as a platform. But the move could also draw in more travelers who want the convenience of a rental without feeling as though they are both paying for housecleaning and still expected to clean the home themselves.
via TechCrunch