Full Breakdown
Airbnb Rolls Out Global Rules to Ban Guest-Performed Cleaning Tasks
By Drooid · · How we work
New Policy Takes Effect on November 20
The rule applies to all reservations booked on or after that date, including those in Australia. Prohibited tasks include stripping beds, washing and putting away dishes, doing laundry, and taking trash offsite. Hosts may still set up to seven standard house rules—such as check-in times, pet policies, and quiet hours—and can add other “reasonable” requests tied to local considerations (e.g., limiting shower time during droughts).
Background: Guest Complaints Over Cleaning Fees
For years, travelers have voiced frustration that, despite paying cleaning fees that can run into the hundreds of dollars, they were still required to complete extensive checkout chores. Viral TikTok videos from hosts in Georgia highlighted strict post-stay inspections, sparking broader criticism of “onerous” house rules. In response, Airbnb began displaying cleaning fees within the total price rather than as a separate line item in April 2025, but the demand for clearer, less burdensome expectations persisted.
Official Statement from Airbnb
The spokesperson added that the new policy aims to eliminate “surprises” for guests while still allowing hosts to enforce reasonable, locally relevant requests. Hosts retain control over their house rules but may no longer impose fines, and any request that violates the updated guidelines can be flagged for review, with an appeal process available.
Verbatim Quote
“House rules help guests understand what hosts expect, but we've heard from our community that they can be confusing, onerous and hard to manage. So we've redesigned them to make them easier to discover and clearer to set, alongside a new policy that keeps requests reasonable, with no surprises,” — Airbnb