Starting from the end of next month, guests using Airbnb will have reduced tasks to complete before checking out. The short-term rental platform has revised its regulations to limit the cleaning duties hosts can assign to departing guests. The updated guidelines, effective for bookings made on or after November 20, outline that hosts must be reasonable in their expectations.
Under the new policy, hosts are prohibited from requesting guests to perform tasks that would require significant time or effort, tasks typically handled by professional cleaners. These tasks include changing bed linens, removing trash to an offsite location, or washing and storing used dishes. Consequently, the cleaning fee charged by Airbnb should only cover basic cleaning between guest stays, and hosts are no longer permitted to charge guests if they fail to complete cleaning tasks listed upon checkout.
The adjustment in Airbnb’s cleaning policies comes after longstanding debates surrounding cleaning responsibilities. Hosts have shared accounts of guests leaving messy accommodations, while some have even documented the condition of properties post-checkout on social media platforms like TikTok. On the other hand, guests have expressed dissatisfaction with paying cleaning fees and then being required to undertake cleaning tasks themselves.
Makarand Mody, an associate professor at Boston University’s School of Hospitality Administration, highlighted the discord between hosts charging cleaning fees and still expecting guests to clean up, unlike the traditional hotel experience. Airbnb has been contacted by CBC News for further clarification on the rationale behind the policy change.
In addition to cleaning guidelines, hosts are not allowed to restrict the use of advertised amenities or impose fines on guests, as AirCover already provides protection for hosts against damages caused by guests. House rules and requests must be clearly stated in the listing at the time of booking, with no new rules added post-booking. These regulations encompass details regarding check-in/check-out times, smoking policies, pet regulations, noise restrictions, guest limits, and photography/video permissions.
While hosts can introduce reasonable requests that are subject to periodic updates, Airbnb will evaluate the reasonableness of these requests based on various factors such as the listing type and local circumstances. The company purposely kept the definition of “reasonable” broad to allow hosts some flexibility in setting guidelines.
Mody expressed curiosity about how hosts will adapt to the new rules and how Airbnb will enforce them. He believes Airbnb intentionally kept the concept of reasonableness open-ended to give hosts some degree of autonomy and control over their properties.
