Airbnb has introduced new rules limiting the checkout chores hosts can require guests to complete, prompting criticism from property owners who say the changes could increase cleaning costs and disrupt their businesses.
The policy was announced on October 20 and is scheduled to take effect on November 20. Under the new rules, hosts cannot require guests to strip beds, wash and put away dishes, start laundry or take rubbish off-site before leaving.
However, guests may still be asked to place dirty dishes in the sink, gather used towels and separate rubbish and recycling into designated indoor bins.
Airbnb says the changes are intended to simplify checkout and prevent travellers from encountering unexpected cleaning tasks after making a booking.
Hosts Warn of Higher Costs and Longer Turnaround Times
Some property owners have argued that the restrictions will make preparing rentals for incoming guests more difficult.
Hosts have taken to TikTok and other social media platforms to warn that they may need to increase prices, hire additional cleaners or stop listing their properties on Airbnb.
Several owners said tasks such as stripping beds and starting dishwashers had helped cleaners prepare properties more quickly between bookings.
One host argued that removing checkout chore lists could leave cleaners with less time for other duties, including restocking supplies, cleaning windows and tidying outdoor areas. Others predicted that hosts might introduce later check-in times and earlier checkouts to accommodate longer cleaning periods.
Vicki Martin Says Small Tasks Help Keep Prices Down
Realtor and Airbnb host Vicki Martin criticised the changes in a TikTok video, saying the new restrictions would make managing her dog-friendly rental more difficult.
Martin demonstrated some of the tasks she had previously asked guests to complete, including loading the dishwasher, stripping beds and separating household linen from dog bedding.
She explained that she still washed the items herself but said guests completing these smaller tasks helped her manage the time required to prepare the property.
According to Martin, the arrangement also helped her keep prices down and provide benefits such as early check-ins.
Gabriel and Laura Valk Describe Cleaning Difficulties
Airbnb hosts Gabriel and Laura Valk, who operate properties in Greenville, South Carolina, also criticised the policy.
In a video that was subsequently removed from their TikTok feed, the couple discussed the difficulties of cleaning their rental while caring for their newborn daughter.
In a separate video, Laura Valk said she was working against a tight deadline because another guest was due to arrive that day. She estimated that cleaning the property took between two-and-a-half and three hours.
Valk described the experience as difficult and said both she and her daughter had meltdowns during the process.
The couple also questioned why hosts could no longer require guests to take out rubbish or start the dishwasher. They noted that a dishwasher cycle could take approximately two hours, while Laura expressed frustration over the restriction on requiring guests to remove bedsheets.
Critics Say Hosts Should Handle Cleaning Responsibilities
The policy has also attracted support from social media users who argue that cleaning should remain the responsibility of hosts and their hired staff.
One commentator responding to Martin’s complaints said hosts who did not want to handle used sheets themselves should employ cleaners.
Other critics argued that guests should not have been expected to complete extensive checkout chores, particularly when they had already paid cleaning fees.
Some hosts also shared more relaxed approaches to checkout. One said their instructions simply told guests to enjoy their holiday while the property owners took care of the details.
Some Property Owners Threaten to Leave Airbnb
The changes have prompted several hosts to threaten to remove their properties from the platform.
One owner said November 19 would be the final day their properties appeared on Airbnb, arguing that the company had forgotten the people who owned the accommodation.
Another said they feared the new rules could encourage guests to believe they no longer needed to follow basic expectations when using a rental.
A further commenter said the policy had strengthened their decision to move their listings to Booking.com. Others said they preferred hotels because staff handled cleaning and checkout arrangements.
Airbnb has not said that hosts must abandon all checkout instructions. The policy instead limits the chores they can make mandatory.
Hosts Can Still Set Rules on Pets, Smoking and Guest Behaviour
Airbnb will continue to allow hosts to establish rules covering pets, smoking, quiet hours, events, maximum overnight occupancy and securing the property when checking out.
Hosts must disclose their rules in the designated section of their listings before guests book. They cannot introduce additional requirements through messages or signs inside the property after a reservation has been made.
The company also says guests remain responsible for treating accommodation properly, avoiding excessive mess or deep cleaning requirements and paying for damage they cause.
The revised policy therefore distinguishes between reasonable checkout instructions and chores that guests cannot be required to complete.
