Airbnb is changing its checkout rules, and some of the chores guests have grown accustomed to doing before leaving a rental may soon be a thing of the past.
The company is setting new limits on what hosts can ask guests to clean before checkout, including tasks like washing dishes, stripping beds, and doing laundry. The change could make checkout a little easier, especially for travelers who already pay a cleaning fee.
What Airbnb’s new checkout rules mean for guests
Under Airbnb’s updated house rules policy, hosts can no longer require guests to do time-consuming cleaning tasks that a cleaner would normally handle.
The changes apply to reservations booked on or after November 20.
Here’s what hosts can and can’t ask guests to do under the new guidelines:
- Dishes: Hosts can ask guests to leave dirty dishes in the sink, but they can’t require them to wash and put everything away.
- Laundry: Guests won’t have to strip beds or start a load of laundry, although hosts can ask them to gather used towels.
- Trash: Hosts can ask guests to separate garbage and recycling into designated indoor bins, but they can’t require trips to off-site dumpsters.
- Utilities: Hosts can ask guests to turn off the air conditioning when leaving, but they can’t prohibit guests from using amenities included in the listing.
That doesn’t mean guests can leave a rental in terrible condition. They’re still expected to treat the property respectfully, but they won’t be responsible for completing the kind of cleaning tasks that would normally fall to the host or cleaning crew.
Guests are sharing their frustrating checkout experiences
The announcement led to a discussion on Reddit, where travelers shared cleaning demands they’ve encountered.
One person described staying at a rental that required guests to wash and put away towels, clean the bathrooms, and leave the floors spotless. They said the long list of chores made the experience stressful enough that they wouldn’t return.
Another traveler recalled receiving a five-page checkout checklist that included washing window shades, sweeping under the bed, and scrubbing the shower.
One particularly detailed example came from a guest who said they paid nearly $500 per night for a rental with extensive checkout instructions, including washing dishes, cleaning the grill, and a possible $250 fee for failing to return moved furniture to its original position.
For many commenters, the biggest complaint wasn’t cleaning up after themselves. They were expected to complete a long list of chores while also paying a cleaning fee.
Not everyone agrees with the changes
Some travelers and hosts think washing dishes and taking out the trash are simply part of being a respectful guest. Others worry that fewer required chores could leave cleaners with more work between reservations.
But several Airbnb hosts supported the changes, too.
One host with 14 years of experience explained that their checkout instructions simply tell guests to leave. According to the host, most people voluntarily wash their dishes or take out the trash anyway.
Other commenters agreed that guests are often willing to tidy up when they don’t have to follow a lengthy checklist.
Related: What Guests Expect in a Fully Stocked Airbnb Kitchen
What this means for your next Airbnb stay
The new policy doesn’t prevent guests from washing dishes, gathering towels, or leaving a rental tidy. It just means hosts have less freedom to make those chores mandatory.
For travelers tired of spending their final vacation morning cleaning, that’s a welcome change.
For hosts, it may mean reconsidering checkout instructions and leaving more cleaning to the people responsible for preparing the property for its next guests.
