Airbnb updates checkout rules, bars hosts from requiring guests to wash dishes or strip beds
Airbnb said Tuesday that it is updating its house rules policy to stop hosts from assigning time-consuming checkout chores to guests. The new policy will apply to stays booked on or after Nov. 20, 2026, and draws a clearer line between reasonable checkout requests and cleaning tasks that guests should not be expected to handle. Under the revised standards, hosts cannot require guests to wash dishes, tidy up tableware, or strip and wash bed linens before leaving. They may still ask guests to leave used dishes in the sink, put towels away, and sort trash and recycling into designated indoor bins. Airbnb also said hosts should not block access to advertised amenities such as air conditioning, though they may ask guests to turn them off when leaving. The company said hosts must disclose rules during booking and cannot add new requirements later through messages, signs inside the property, or in-person instructions. Hosts also cannot impose their own fines, though they may warn guests about penalties that could come from homeowners associations, security staff, or local governments. Airbnb said unresolved or repeated violations may lead to notices on listing pages, lower search rankings, or other penalties.
