Airbnb bans hosts from requiring guests to perform cleaning tasks

Airbnb announced a "reasonable house rules and requests" policy that bars hosts from requiring guests to complete tasks that would typically be performed by a cleaner, such as stripping beds, taking trash offsite, or washing dishes. The rule applies to reservations booked on or after Nov. 20, 2026 and does not affect existing bookings.

Under the new framework, hosts may set seven standard house rules covering occupancy limits, quiet hours, events, pets, smoking, commercial photography and checkout lock-up. Any request beyond those rules is classified as a "request" and guests are only encouraged, not required, to comply. Lighter requests—like leaving dishes in the sink or gathering towels—remain permissible, and Airbnb says local conditions may justify stricter measures.

The policy also requires hosts to disclose all rules and requests in a dedicated listing section before booking and prohibits adding new demands later via messages, signs or in-person instructions. Hosts may not impose their own fines; disputes are to be handled through Airbnb's AirCover protection program. Violations flagged in the listing editor can lead to warnings, public notices on the listing, or reduced visibility in search results.

Airbnb said the changes aim to make house rules clearer and prevent surprise demands on guests. "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," an Airbnb spokesperson said.

The announcement sparked a rapid backlash from hosts. A Change.org petition calling for a reversal has gathered over 10,000 signatures. Some hosts plan to close their calendars on the policy's start date, while others consider raising prices or limiting kitchen access. A few hosts expressed support, noting that previous expectations for guests to perform extensive cleaning were unreasonable.

Guests have largely welcomed the move, saying it aligns with expectations for a clean stay without extra chores. Observers note that hosts may offset the loss of unpaid labor by increasing cleaning fees, which Airbnb does not cap and can now be bundled into the total price.

The policy change comes as Airbnb reports strong financial performance, with second-quarter revenue up 17% year over year to $3.6 billion and a revised full-year outlook.