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Airbnb bans hosts from requiring checkout chores like washing dishes and stripping beds

Airbnb is updating its checkout rules to prohibit hosts from requiring guests to strip beds, wash dishes, do laundry, or haul trash offsite.

A printed checkout instructions sign listing host demands such as stripping linens, washing dishes, doing laundry, and taking out trash.
Image: @Dexerto

Airbnb is revising its checkout policies to curb the housekeeping duties hosts can demand of guests. Under the updated rules, hosts are barred from forcing visitors to complete tasks typically handled by cleaners, including stripping beds, washing and putting away dishes, doing laundry, and hauling trash off-property.[2][3][5][8]

The platform stated the updates are meant to shield travelers from onerous cleaning demands that can sour a stay, limiting hosts to reasonable requests such as placing dirty dishes in the sink. The changes, which take effect November 20 for newly booked reservations, do not eliminate cleaning fees. Hosts will not be allowed to fine guests who skip checkout chores, and those who breach the policy risk warnings, flagged listings, and reduced platform visibility.[4][6][8][9][10][12][14]

The restrictions have polarized users. While travelers welcomed the shift and shared past checkout horror stories, hosts have pushed back sharply. Some hosts have threatened to strike or abandon the service entirely, and more than 5,000 people have signed a petition demanding Airbnb reverse the policy on grounds that self-catering rentals are not hotels.[1][3][7][8][11][13]

Key facts

  • Airbnb is prohibiting hosts from requiring guests to strip beds, wash dishes, do laundry, or haul trash off the property before checkout.
  • The new checkout chore rules apply to reservations booked from November 20.
  • Hosts cannot fine guests for skipping checkout chores, and standard cleaning fees remain unchanged.
  • Hosts violating the policy face potential penalties including warnings, flagged listings, and reduced visibility.
  • Hosts are permitted to make reasonable requests, such as asking guests to place dirty dishes in the sink.
  • More than 5,000 people have signed a petition urging Airbnb to reverse the decision, while some hosts have threatened strikes or leaving the platform.

Sources · 12 sources

  1. WI

    WIRED@WIREDPost on X ·

    Some hosts are threatening to strike, while others are plotting ways around Airbnb’s new restrictions. Guests, meanwhile, are celebrating. https://t.co/S7Xo3bRlp2

    Open source
  2. PO

    Polymarket@PolymarketPost on X ·

    JUST IN: Airbnb announces new rules banning hosts from requiring guests to wash dishes, do laundry, strip beds, or take out garbage before checkout.

    Open source
  3. WI

    WIRED@WIREDPost on X ·

    Airbnb hosts are melting down over a new policy banning them from making guests complete tasks that “would typically be performed by a cleaner,” like “stripping the bed, taking trash offsite, or washing and putting away dishes.” Read the full story: https://t.co/DRcLYx47cU https://t.co/uLrnsmmNTm

    Open source
  4. CN

    CNN@CNNPost on X ·

    Airbnb has revised its rules to reduce the tasks a host can expect a guest to perform at the end of their stay. https://t.co/5XI5QN5dOt https://t.co/zbUpdUiIXX

    Open source
  5. TW

    The Washington Post@washingtonpostPost on X ·

    Under a new Airbnb rule, guests will no longer have to complete a laundry list of housekeeping tasks during checkout. The policy prohibits hosts from assigning guests burdensome chores, such as stripping beds, tossing trash off-property or washing dishes. https://t.co/eWghzqUC76

    Open source
  6. TS

    The Straits Times@straits_timesPost on X ·

    Airbnb hosts can no longer make guests do dishes, take out trash from Nov 20 https://t.co/xdFjurLSXx

    Open source
  7. MA

    Mashable@mashablePost on X ·

    Don't strip the bed: Airbnb’s new policy limits checkout chores, prompting travelers to share horror stories. https://t.co/luNw2Bmr26

    Open source
  8. SA

    Straight Arrow@StraightArrow__Post on X ·

    Airbnb is telling hosts they can no longer require guests to strip beds, wash dishes, start laundry, or haul trash off the property, and they can’t fine you for skipping it. More than five thousand people have signed a petition to reverse it, arguing self-catering rentals were never meant to run like hotels. The rules take effect for reservations booked from November 20, and the cleaning fee itself didn’t change. So should you have to wash the dishes you used, or is that what the cleaning fee is for? Follow Straight Arrow for news without the spin.

    Open source
  9. TV

    The Verge@vergePost on X ·

    Airbnb's new rules limit hosts to ‘reasonable’ requests like putting dirty dishes in the sink. https://t.co/ykLO5NU0rd

    Open source
  10. UT

    USA TODAY@USATODAYPost on X ·

    Effective Nov. 20, Airbnb is limiting what hosts can ask of guests when it comes to clean up. https://t.co/0DGR8KMkaG

    Open source
  11. TE

    TechCrunch@TechCrunchPost on X ·

    Hosts are threatening to leave the platform after Airbnb says that they can no longer require guests to strip beds or do other time-consuming cleaning chores. https://t.co/KYyuRLpNZk

    Open source
  12. DE

    Dexerto@DexertoPost on X ·

    Airbnb is banning hosts from requiring guests to wash dishes, do laundry, or complete other "unreasonable" chores Hosts who violate the policy could face warnings, flagged listings, and reduced visibility https://t.co/jvlFJ42Fuw

    Open source
  13. PO

    Polymarket@PolymarketPost on X ·

    JUST IN: Airbnb hosts threaten to strike after the company bans them from forcing guests to wash dishes, strip beds, or take out trash before checkout.

    Open source
  14. CN

    CBS News@CBSNewsPost on X ·

    Airbnb is updating its rules to shield visitors from onerous cleaning tasks it says could negatively impact their stay. https://t.co/OiDHTTKa0S

    Open source