Airbnb to ban hosts from requiring guests to wash dishes or remove rubbish

What Airbnb will no longer allow hosts to demand

Under the updated policy, hosts will generally be prohibited from asking guests to complete tasks that require significant time or professional effort. The company specifically flagged a set of chores that will not be permitted as mandatory checkout requirements:

• Stripping beds
• Starting a load of laundry
• Washing and putting away dishes
• Taking rubbish off-site

What hosts can still reasonably request

Airbnb said hosts may continue to make reasonable, light requests that help cleaners and the next guest. Examples listed in the policy include:

• Placing used dishes in the sink
• Gathering used towels
• Separating rubbish
• Putting recycling into designated indoor bins

Presentation and enforcement of house rules

The company said it has redesigned how house rules are displayed so they are easier for guests to find before they book. Hosts must disclose their rules and requests in the designated section of the listing at the time of booking.

Hosts are not allowed to introduce new requirements after booking the policy bars adding extra demands through messages, signs at the property or verbal instructions once a reservation is confirmed.

Consequences for non-compliant requests

Airbnb will flag requests that do not comply with the policy and give hosts a chance to resolve the issue or appeal. The company warned that persistent violations could lead to a range of actions, including a notice on the listing, reduced visibility in search results or further action under its terms of service.

Limits and guest responsibilities

The policy does not remove guest responsibility for respecting the property. Guests may still be held accountable for damage or excessive cleaning costs caused during their stay, the company said.

“House rules help guests understand what hosts expect, but we’ve heard from our community that they can be confusing, onerous and hard to manage,” said Airbnb.

The company added that it has redesigned the rules to make them easier for guests.

Why the change matters

Paying a cleaning fee yet being expected to complete time-consuming chores has been a frequent complaint among short-term rental guests. By restricting demanding checkout tasks and requiring transparent presentation of house rules, Airbnb aims to reduce unexpected obligations and clarify what hosts may reasonably expect.

This matters to both travellers and hosts: clearer, accessible rules at the point of booking help guests make informed choices and helps hosts set expectations that comply with platform policy.

What hosts and guests should note now

Hosts should review their listings and move any requests into the designated house rules section so they are visible at booking. They should also remove demands that amount to professional cleaning work or substantial effort.

Guests should check the house rules before booking and, if they see requests that appear to require significant time or effort, raise the issue with the host or refer to Airbnb’s policy guidance provided on the platform.

Airbnb’s updated rules, which apply to reservations from 20 November 2026, seek to strike a balance between reasonable expectations for departing guests and protection against onerous or hidden demands. The platform will monitor compliance and take action where hosts repeatedly breach the new standards.