Starting from the end of the upcoming month, guests using Airbnb accommodations will experience reduced post-stay tasks. The popular short-term rental platform has revised its regulations to limit the extent of cleaning responsibilities hosts can assign to guests before their departure. These new guidelines, applicable to reservations made on or after November 20, emphasize the importance of hosts being reasonable in their expectations.
Under the updated policy, hosts are no longer permitted to request guests to perform tasks that require significant time or effort, or tasks typically handled by professional cleaners. Such tasks include changing bed linens, disposing of garbage offsite, and washing and storing used dishes. Consequently, the cleaning fee charged by Airbnb should now only cover basic cleaning between guest stays, and hosts are prohibited from imposing additional charges if guests fail to complete the designated cleaning tasks.
The adjustment in Airbnb’s cleaning guidelines comes amidst longstanding debates regarding cleaning responsibilities within the hospitality sector. Hosts have shared anecdotes about guests leaving untidy accommodations, while social media platforms like Reddit and TikTok have been platforms for guests expressing dissatisfaction with cleaning fees and post-checkout cleaning expectations. Makarand Mody, an associate professor at Boston University’s School of Hospitality Administration, highlighted the discrepancy between cleaning fees and guests being expected to clean before checkout, a departure from the typical hotel experience.
In addition to cleaning protocols, the new policy prohibits hosts from restricting guests’ use of advertised amenities and from imposing fines or penalties, as AirCover already safeguards hosts against property damage. Specific house rules, such as check-in and check-out times, smoking policies, pet regulations, noise restrictions, guest limits, and rules on commercial photography, must be clearly outlined in the listing at the time of booking, with no post-booking additions allowed.
While hosts can introduce reasonable requests that align with the unique characteristics of their properties, Airbnb will evaluate the reasonableness of these requests based on various factors, including the property type and local considerations. The open-ended definition of “reasonable” was intentionally left by Airbnb to provide hosts with flexibility in enforcing the rules, considering hosts as valued customers who play a crucial role in the platform’s success. The company aims to strike a balance between host satisfaction and guest expectations, ensuring a positive experience for both parties.