Airbnb will no longer allow hosts to require guests to perform chores such as washing dishes, stripping beds, starting laundry or taking out rubbish before checkout, with the rule applying to all reservations made on or after 20 November 2026 globally.
**Key details of the amendment**
- The update was communicated to hosts via an email on 21 October 2026, which described the previous house‑rule system as “confusing, onerous and hard to manage.”
- Hosts can now choose only from seven pre‑defined rule categories, covering smoking, pets, quiet hours, maximum overnight guests and lock‑up procedures at checkout.
- The prohibited tasks are explicit: no longer may a host ask guests to wash and put away dishes, strip beds, start a load of laundry or remove rubbish from the property.
- Simpler requests remain allowed, such as placing dirty dishes in the sink, gathering used towels, sorting recycling and disposing of waste in designated bins.
- A new transparency clause mandates that all checkout instructions appear alongside other house rules in a dedicated section of the listing before a reservation is confirmed.
- Hosts are barred from adding extra obligations through private messages, on‑site notices or verbal instructions after a booking is confirmed, and guests gain clearer protection against checkout‑related fines.
What does the new policy require from hosts?
Under the revised framework, any checkout‑related instruction must be listed in the same area as the standard house rules on the property’s page. This ensures that guests see the expectations before they commit to a stay, eliminating hidden or last‑minute demands.
How will Airbnb enforce compliance?
Airbnb already forbids hosts from charging guests for failing to complete specific chores. The refreshed policy reinforces this stance: hosts who repeatedly breach the rules may receive warnings, see reduced visibility in search results, or have notices added to their listings warning potential guests of recurring issues.
How have hosts responded?
Reactions on Airbnb’s community forum have been mixed. Hundreds of hosts have voiced concerns, particularly about the ban on dish‑washing. One host complained, “Guests are given complete freedom to be lazy while the hosts bear the risk.” Two French hosts even hinted at leaving the platform altogether. Some argue that unwashed dishes can attract pests before cleaning crews arrive, while others feel the change pushes Airbnb toward a hotel‑like model, eroding the unique appeal of home‑based rentals.
Are there any exceptions?
Airbnb notes limited exceptions: hosts may still ask guests to conserve water during droughts or to use bear‑proof waste containers in regions where wildlife poses a genuine threat.
The cleaning fee itself remains unchanged, and guests are still expected to avoid excessive mess or property damage. What the policy removes is the expectation that paying guests should perform tasks normally handled by professional cleaning staff. For travellers who have previously faced checkout lists resembling a full housekeeping shift, the 20 November deadline marks a notable shift in how the platform balances the interests of hosts and guests.
[Airbnb](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Airbnb) introduced the changes to streamline the rental experience and reduce friction between parties, reflecting broader industry trends toward clearer consumer protections.