Airbnb is changing its host guidelines to protect travelers from burdensome checkout chores that could detract from their stay.
Under the policy announced this week, hosts may no longer require guests to strip beds, run a load of laundry or complete other household tasks that Airbnb considers to require “significant effort or time” and would normally be handled by a cleaner.
Airbnb said such demands could contribute to negative guest reviews, potentially damaging a property’s reputation and hurting its owner.
The changes have drawn criticism from some hosts. More than 5,000 people have signed a Change.org petition urging Airbnb to withdraw the rules, describing them as “unreasonable” and overly restrictive.
The petition argues that hosts could face higher costs if they need to hire cleaners to handle tasks previously left to guests. Those added expenses, it says, could eventually result in higher accommodation prices.
“These are not professional cleaning duties,” the petition says. “They are ordinary aspects of living responsibly in somebody else’s property.”
What are the new rules?
Airbnb outlined which checkout requests are considered “reasonable” in a policy update posted on its website. The rules apply to reservations made on or after Nov. 20, the company said.
Some distinctions are narrow. Hosts may ask guests to place used dishes in the sink, for example, but cannot require them to wash or put those dishes away. They may also ask guests to sort trash and recycling, but not to take the garbage to an off-site disposal facility.
“When adding a request, remember that most guests want to avoid unexpected chores,” Airbnb said on its website.
Hosts who repeatedly breach the policy could face consequences, including reduced visibility for their listing or a notice on the listing page informing prospective guests about the violation, Airbnb said.