Airbnb said Tuesday it has changed its house rules policy to rein in the checkout cleaning chores hosts can dump on guests. These rules apply to listings booked on or after Nov. 20, 2026, and they draw a sharper line between fair requests and cleaning work guests should not be stuck doing.
Under the policy, guests should no longer be expected to wash dishes for hosts or strip beds and wash linens before checkout.
Hosts cannot require dishwashing or bed-linen cleaning
Under Airbnb’s revised guidelines, hosts cannot require guests to wash dishes or put them away before leaving. They also cannot tell guests to remove or wash bed sheets. But hosts still have some room. They can make smaller requests, like asking guests to leave used dishes in the sink, put towels away, and separate trash and recycling into the proper indoor bins.
As for property amenities, Airbnb said hosts cannot block guests from using features advertised in the listing, including air conditioning. They can, though, require guests to switch them off when they leave.
In its notice, Airbnb said that when hosts ask guests to clean, “please remember that most guests want to avoid doing chores.” And the company warned that assigning cleaning tasks could hurt guest ratings.
Exceptions will depend on listings and local conditions
Airbnb said it will look at exceptions based on the property itself and local conditions.
- In places where bears are around, hosts may require guests to put trash in animal-proof bins.
- In drought-hit areas with water restrictions, limits on shower time may be seen as reasonable.
No new rules or fines after booking
Hosts have to show these rules on a designated page during booking. Airbnb said hosts cannot tack on new rules after the booking through messages, signs inside the property, or face-to-face instructions.
On fines, hosts cannot invent their own penalties. They can, however, remind guests that fines might be issued by homeowners associations, security staff, or local governments.
Standard house rules cut to seven categories
Airbnb also trimmed its standard house rules down to seven categories that guests must follow. They cover:
- limits on overnight guests
- quiet hours
- activities
- pet rules
- smoking
- commercial photography
- locking the door at checkout
If a guest breaks house rules during a stay—or says before check-in that they plan to break them—hosts can contact Airbnb for help. And hosts may cancel the booking without paying a fee or taking any consequences.
Repeated violations may push listings lower in search
To enforce the policy, Airbnb said it will flag listing requests that break the rules and email hosts instructions on how to fix them. Hosts will have the right to appeal.
If violations are not resolved, Airbnb said it will place a cleaning-requirements notice on the listing page. Repeat violations may push a listing lower in search results or bring other penalties.
