Airbnb has updated its guidelines to restrict guest responsibilities for housecleaning tasks, such as dishwashing and bed stripping, ensuring clear expectations and reasonable house rules. The changes come after years of customer complaints and aim to address hosts asking guests to perform excessive cleaning duties. According to the new policy, all requests must be reasonable, and hosts can request certain tasks but not others, with context determining what is allowed.
However, the new rules have drawn backlash from hosts. Clint Henderson noted that complaints have been ramping up with owners asking guests to do "the most ridiculous things, like stripping beds, washing dishes, doing all the laundry and taking the trash out." Gabriel Valk imagined guests saying, "OK, you guys are paying, whatever, $100 for the cleaning. We shouldn't have to do anything," adding that it makes sense. An Airbnb statement in French read, "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." The update explained, "All requests must be reasonable under the new policy." Some hosts worry that if guests think it's okay not to clean up, it could encourage vermin problems, as noted in a Facebook group. Despite the policy's aim to balance responsibilities, some hosts are threatening to leave the platform.
Airbnb emphasizes that the new guidelines, taking effect on November 20th, seek to balance guest satisfaction and host expectations while maintaining the platform's position in the hospitality market.
Despite the policy's aim to balance responsibilities, some hosts are threatening to leave the platform.