Starting from the end of next month, individuals staying at an Airbnb will face reduced responsibilities before their departure. The short-term lodging platform has revised its regulations to limit the extent of cleaning tasks hosts can assign to guests prior to their exit. These updated guidelines, applicable to reservations made on or after November 20, aim to ensure hosts are reasonable in their expectations.
Under the new policy, hosts are prohibited from requesting guests to perform tasks that require significant time or effort, or are typically handled by professional cleaners. These duties include changing bed linens, disposing of trash off-site, and cleaning and storing used dishes. Consequently, Airbnb’s cleaning fee should now only encompass basic upkeep between guests, and hosts cannot charge guests for incomplete cleaning tasks on the checkout list.
The adjustment comes amid longstanding debates over Airbnb cleaning responsibilities. Hosts have shared anecdotes of guests leaving untidy accommodations, while some have posted TikTok videos showcasing post-checkout property conditions. On the other hand, guests have complained about paying cleaning fees only to be tasked with cleaning themselves.
Makarand Mody, an associate professor at Boston University’s School of Hospitality Administration, highlighted that guests’ primary concern often revolves around cleaning expectations. The discord arises from hosts charging cleaning fees while also expecting guests to clean, contrary to the typical hotel experience.
In addition to cleaning guidelines, the policy prohibits hosts from restricting access to advertised amenities and imposing fines on guests, as AirCover safeguards hosts against property damage. House rules and requests must be transparent in listings at the time of booking, with no post-booking additions allowed, covering aspects like check-in/out times, smoking policies, pet regulations, noise restrictions, guest limits, and photography guidelines.
Though hosts can introduce reasonable requests that are subject to Airbnb’s assessment, the company aims to maintain flexibility in defining reasonability based on various factors, such as location and listing type. Mody anticipates how hosts will adapt to these changes and how Airbnb will enforce the new rules, suggesting that the open-ended definition of reasonability offers hosts some flexibility to ensure a positive hosting experience.
Ultimately, the policy adjustment seeks to strike a balance between host and guest expectations, acknowledging the unique nature of each property while maintaining a level of control for hosts.
