Airbnb Bans Hosts from Forcing Guests to Clean
Airbnb introduces new rules to prevent hosts from making guests perform cleaning tasks.
2 min read
Airbnb has announced new policies aimed at curbing hosts from requiring guests to perform cleaning tasks, addressing long-standing complaints from travelers. Effective November 20, the company will prohibit hosts from demanding tasks typically handled by professional cleaners, such as washing dishes, stripping beds, or starting laundry. This change comes in response to widespread frustration from travelers who have faced excessive cleaning instructions despite already paying cleaning fees.
New Policy Details
Under the updated policy, hosts are generally not allowed to require guests to wash and put away dishes, remove bed sheets, start laundry, or transport garbage off the property. However, they can still ask guests to place dirty dishes in the sink, gather used towels, and separate trash into designated bins. Airbnb emphasized that such demands can negatively impact the guest experience and potentially harm property reviews.
The company also requires hosts to disclose their house rules and requests before a reservation is booked, preventing them from imposing additional requirements through messages, signs, or verbal instructions after booking. Hosts will select from seven standardized categories, including smoking, pets, and quiet hours. Additional instructions must be reasonable rather than mandatory.
Background and Resistance
The policy follows years of complaints about hosts treating guests like unpaid housekeepers. A 2023 Reddit post by a property owner gained thousands of upvotes, criticizing other hosts for imposing excessive demands. The user argued that such behavior undermines the hospitality industry and could drive travelers back to traditional hotels.
Some hosts have already resisted the changes, with one removing their property from the platform. They argue that guests should be responsible for cleaning up after themselves. While cleaning fees remain, guests are still expected to avoid excessive mess and damage. Hosts who repeatedly violate the policy may face warnings, reduced visibility, or notices to potential guests.
Broader Efforts Toward Transparency
The changes align with Airbnb’s broader push for transparent pricing. In April 2025, the company announced it would display total booking prices, including mandatory fees before taxes, in search results worldwide. The Federal Trade Commission also mandates that short-term lodging providers disclose all mandatory charges, including cleaning fees, in advertised prices.
Source: Daily Caller
