Reports: Airbnb to prohibit hosts requiring guests to do chores
Bins dragged to the curb, washing machines spun, and bedsheets stripped by 10 a.m. For millions of travelers, the ritual of paying a steep cleaning fee only to be handed an unpaid janitorial shift has finally hit a wall.
Airbnb is overhauling its hosting policies on November 20 to flatly prohibit hosts from requiring guests to wash and put away dishes, take out the trash, strip beds, or start laundry before departure, according to reports. These dispositions will apply to all reservations made starting November 20, 2026, as part of a new global policy aimed at standardizing the customer experience and addressing growing user complaints over complex or excessive house rules.
Capping House Rules and Banning Heavy Lifting
Under the updated policy taking effect November 20, hosts are restricted to a maximum of seven standardized house rules, covering maximum occupancy, quiet hours, event policies, pet permissions, smoking rules, and key management. Hosts can no longer demand that guests strip beds, start washing machines, or haul trash bins outside. Additional rules cannot restrict access to amenities listed in the advertisement, such as air conditioning, nor can hosts impose penalties on guests. Contracts are only permitted in specific cases, such as when required by law or condominium bylaws, and interior rules must be displayed more visibly and included in booking reminders.
Permissible Requests Under the New Framework
While the heavy lifting is offloaded, certain light tasks remain permissible under the new framework. Presse-citron noted that hosts retain the right to ask visitors to place dirty dishes in the sink, gather used towels in one spot, sort recyclables into indoor bins, or turn off air conditioning units prior to leaving. Property owners are also permitted to require contract agreements when mandated by local laws or condominium bylaws. Historically, guests are still expected to treat the accommodation as their own by disposing of waste, reporting damages, and avoiding conditions requiring excessive cleaning. Airbnb explained that the platform’s community found previous guidelines confusing, restrictive, and difficult to manage, prompting the company to simplify them and urge hosts to be reasonable. Nos règles relatives aux hébergements permettent aux voyageurs d’avoir des directives de la part des hôtes, cependant notre communauté nous a fait savoir qu’elles pouvaient être source de confusion, contraignantes et difficiles à gérer,
stated Airbnb to AFP.
Automated Tools Flag Rules with Local Exceptions
Airbnb stated that any extra requests failing to meet the new criteria will be flagged directly within the listing modification tool. Hosts who disagree with the platform’s assessment will have the option to file an appeal. The company will evaluate reasonableness by examining specific lodging types and local contexts, allowing for exceptions when environmental conditions—such as severe local droughts requiring water conservation—demand it. Owners charging cleaning fees will be strictly barred from obliging clients to perform demanding cleaning chores.
Pressures of Cost and Public Backlash
The update arrives amid mounting public scrutiny over short-term rental requirements. Recent analyses indicate that hotel accommodations frequently cost less than Airbnb listings across major tourist destinations, while public backlash continues to grow against properties that charge steep cleaning fees while demanding extensive manual labor from paying guests. Controversy also intensified following viral videos from two Airbnb hosts in Georgia inspecting a home down to remote placement, which sparked mockery and parodies online. The policy shift has drawn mixed reactions from travelers on social media regarding basic politeness and whether washing dishes should remain standard.