Starting next month, Airbnb guests will have fewer tasks to complete before checking out. The popular accommodation platform has revised its regulations to limit the cleaning responsibilities hosts can assign to guests. These updated guidelines, effective for bookings made on or after November 20, aim to ensure a fair and reasonable expectation from both hosts and guests.
Under the new policy, hosts are urged to exercise reasonableness in requesting cleaning tasks from guests. They are now prohibited from assigning chores that require significant effort, time, or are typically handled by professional cleaners. This includes duties like changing bed linens, disposing of trash off-site, or washing and storing used dishes.
With this change, Airbnb’s cleaning fee is expected to cover only basic cleaning tasks between guest stays. Hosts are no longer permitted to charge guests for unfinished cleaning tasks from the checkout list.
The revision in Airbnb’s cleaning policy comes after long-standing debates surrounding cleaning responsibilities. Hosts have voiced concerns about guests leaving messy accommodations, while some have shared experiences on social media platforms like TikTok, showcasing the state of properties post-checkout. On the other hand, guests have expressed dissatisfaction with paying cleaning fees only to discover a list of cleaning chores awaiting them.
Makarand Mody, an associate professor at Boston University’s School of Hospitality Administration, highlighted the discord between cleaning fees and guest expectations based on hotel experiences. Airbnb has been contacted by CBC News to comment on the timing of this policy change.
Aside from cleaning guidelines, the updated policy prohibits hosts from restricting access to advertised amenities or imposing fines or penalties on guests. House rules and requirements must be transparently presented in the listing at the time of booking, with no post-booking additions allowed. These rules cover various aspects such as check-in/check-out times, smoking policies, pet regulations, noise restrictions, guest limits, and photography/video permissions.
While hosts can introduce reasonable requests that may be modified at any time, Airbnb will evaluate the appropriateness of these requests based on specific criteria, considering the property type and local context. The company aims to provide hosts with flexibility while maintaining guest satisfaction and property control.
The response and compliance of hosts to these policy changes, as well as Airbnb’s enforcement strategies, remain to be observed. Mody anticipates that Airbnb intentionally left the definition of “reasonable” broad to accommodate hosts’ needs, ensuring a positive hosting experience and property management balance.