Airbnb Bans Hosts From Requiring Heavy Checkout Chores
Airbnb is banning hosts from requiring guests to perform time-consuming cleaning tasks like stripping beds or washing dishes starting November 20, 2026.
Airbnb Inc. is updating its checkout policies to limit the chores hosts can require of guests for reservations booked on or after November 20, 2026. The company is banning time-consuming cleaning tasks typically handled by professional crews, including stripping bed linens, starting laundry, washing and putting away dishes, and transporting garbage off-site.
Hosts may still make reasonable requests, such as gathering used towels, placing dirty dishes in the sink, and sorting trash and recycling into indoor bins. The company is also standardizing house rules regarding smoking, pets, quiet hours, and maximum overnight guests. All requirements must be disclosed in the designated section of the listing page at the time of booking; hosts are prohibited from adding new chores via messages or in-home signs after a guest has booked.
Airbnb stated the change follows feedback that existing house rules were often "confusing, onerous, and hard to manage." While exceptions exist for specific environmental needs, such as animal-proof garbage containers in bear country, persistent violators face penalties. These include notices on listing pages, reduced search visibility, or other actions under the company's Terms of Service. Some concerns have emerged that hosts may increase rental prices or cleaning fees to offset the additional labor.
