Key facts
- Airbnb's new rules mean hosts can no longer ask guests to wash dishes, strip beds, or take rubbish off-site.
- Hosts can now set seven standard house rules and add other reasonable requests for bookings made from November 20.
- Some hosts fear increased cleaning costs and messier properties due to the rule changes.
Airbnb's new house rules, which prohibit hosts from asking guests to perform cleaning tasks, have sparked a divide between property owners and travelers. Hosts like Lisa Clewes and Anthony Marsh express concern that the changes will lead to increased mess and higher costs, potentially impacting property turnarounds and guest experiences. Clewes, a host in Wales, described her holiday let being left in a 'complete mess' after guests checked out, citing broken glasses, food pans, and fish guts. She fears that the inability to ask guests to do basic tasks like emptying the fridge or loading the dishwasher will increase her cleaning expenses. Similarly, Marsh worries that guests will be 'given permission to come and leave properties a tip.'
Conversely, guests like Jessica Newhook welcome the update, having previously faced extensive checkout lists and high cleaning fees. Newhook recounted a stay in Florida where guests were asked to wash and fold towels, clean the kitchen, and sweep floors despite paying a $250 cleaning fee. She stated that the combination of strict rules and rising fees diminished the appeal of Airbnb stays, making hotels a more predictable option.
Krissi Foskett, who runs a cleaning company, believes there's a distinction between being a respectful guest and being expected to contribute to the operational running of a business. While sympathetic to hosts facing tight turnarounds, she argues that professional cleaning should be a cost of doing business for hosts. Matt Prosz, a full-time host, remains optimistic, suggesting that Airbnb's review system will continue to encourage respectful behavior from guests, and that the changes will enhance the guest experience without significantly altering how most people treat properties.