Airbnbs were supposed to be the easier way to travel.

You can find one just about anywhere, complete with all the convenience and amenities of a real home, rather than a hotel.

But, of course, there’s always a catch.

When you reserve an Airbnb, you will receive a set of guidelines and instructions from the host. Typically, these guidelines cover topics such as bringing pets, trash disposal times, and specific cleaning rules along with associated fees.

An Australian guest faced a surprising situation when given a list of nearly 20 requests by a local Airbnb host, most of them outlining various extra charges.

When does it go too far?

Fees, fees and more fees

An Aussie local has shared a list of rules provided to them by an Airbnb host in Queensland to Reddit.

The list kicks off by mentioning that while there is no security deposit, guests will be accountable for any damage costs. This may seem fair at first, but it gets more peculiar.

The next rule states that there’s no cleaning fee charged for the property either, so as to not punish guests who ‘clean up after themselves’. But in the event that it’s left in any state other than what it was found in, guests will cop a $120 charge to cover things like not washing up, emptying the dishwasher, leaving any mess either inside or outside, or not cleaning the barbeque to perfection.

And, it only gets more obscure from there.

Whilst towels are provided for guests, anything used beyond what is put out on display initially will set guests back a whopping $60 per load, regardless of the exact number of extras taken from the cupboards.

Excess rubbish will also cost you, with an extra $30 charged for any additional bin liners used than the two provided – unless you can dispose of them yourself, away from the property.

And, if you happen to need to discuss any damage with the hosts? You’ll be charged for that, too.

“Should it prove necessary to invoice guests following their departure for any breakages, additional cleaning, laundry or rubbish disposal etc. then a standard $30 admin fee applies,” rule number six states.

“This covers the time spent administrating an invoice and collecting and uploading photographic evidence in support of any invoice. A further $30 admin fee will be charged for every further correspondence made in dealing with this matter.”

So you’re tracking me now?

One rule on the list is particularly controversial, and it involves additional guests.

“The nightly rental covers the cost of ten people, which is the amount the property sleeps in terms of beds,” rule nine begins.

“Additional guests are welcome to either camp or bring their own bedding for indoors and are charged $25 per guest per night. ‘Day guests’, e.g. guest just attending for events such as weddings are charged at $15 per person.

“As part of maintaining a good relationship with our neighbors, full details of guest numbers in terms of both overnight stays and day guests are to be provided in advance and additional guests if not paid for at the time of booking will be charged retrospectively at a higher rate of $30 per person per night and $20 per day guest.”

You might be wondering how this is possible, and you’re not going to like the answer.

“Should we have cause to believe that guest numbers exceed those provided at the time of booking (we actually have a tracking device at the property, which alerts us to excess numbers) we reserve the right to enter the property for the purposes of clarification,” the rule continued. Eeek!

Is this even legal?

In 2023, Airbnb implemented a product update introducing transparent checkout instructions, which differ from house rules, and are displayed on the listing page before a guest makes a booking.

According to Airbnb, any ‘unreasonable’ requests, like some may consider these to be, can be flagged.

“Guests can now view checkout instructions on the listing page before booking, and they’ll receive a reminder before they leave the home,” they said.

“During the review process, guests can tell us about any excessive requests. And listings with repeated low ratings from unreasonable chores will be removed from Airbnb.”