Starting next month, Airbnb guests will have lighter cleaning responsibilities before checking out. The popular short-term rental platform has revised its policies, limiting hosts from assigning extensive cleaning tasks to departing guests. These updated guidelines, effective for bookings made on or after November 20, aim to ensure a fair and reasonable approach to cleaning expectations.
Under the new policy, hosts are instructed to be considerate and not request guests to perform tasks that require significant time or effort, or tasks typically handled by professional cleaners. Duties like changing bedding, removing trash off-site, and washing dishes are now the responsibility of the host. The cleaning fee charged by Airbnb should only cover basic cleaning between guests, and hosts are prohibited from charging additional fees if guests do not complete the designated cleaning tasks.
The decision to implement these changes comes after ongoing debates surrounding Airbnb cleaning responsibilities. Hosts have shared tales of guests leaving untidy accommodations, while some have taken to social media platforms like Reddit and TikTok to express frustrations over cleaning fees and post-checkout cleaning obligations. Makarand Mody, an associate professor at Boston University’s School of Hospitality Administration, noted that guests often criticize the cleaning aspects of their stay, feeling inconvenienced by having to follow strict cleaning rules despite paying cleaning fees.
Apart from cleaning regulations, the new policy also prohibits hosts from limiting advertised amenities’ usage or imposing fines on guests. Airbnb’s existing AirCover protection safeguards hosts against property damage by guests, eliminating the need for additional penalties. House rules and requests must be transparently stated in the listing at the time of booking, with no post-booking additions allowed. These rules encompass details on check-in/out times, smoking policies, pet regulations, noise restrictions, guest limits, and photography/video permissions.
While hosts can introduce reasonable requests that align with their property’s uniqueness, Airbnb will evaluate the appropriateness of these requests based on various factors, including property type and local considerations. The open-ended definition of “reasonable” is intended to provide hosts with flexibility while maintaining a balance between host and guest satisfaction.
The reaction of hosts to these policy changes and Airbnb’s enforcement strategy, particularly in interpreting what constitutes “reasonable” requests, remains a point of interest. Mody suggests that Airbnb aims to maintain host satisfaction and control over properties while ensuring a positive experience for guests, striking a balance between host and guest interests.