From WIRED · Caroline Haskins · · 3m
Airbnb bans hosts from making guests do chores
Airbnb's new policy prohibits hosts from requiring guests to complete cleaning tasks, sparking fury among property owners who say they need to protect their investments.
In brief
Airbnb's new policy prohibits hosts from requiring guests to complete cleaning tasks, sparking fury among property owners who say they need to protect their investments. Airbnb banned hosts from requiring guests to do cleaning chores starting November twentieth, angering hosts who say they need to protect their…
Airbnb bans guest chores
Airbnb announced a new policy banning hosts from requiring guests to complete cleaning tasks like stripping beds, taking out trash, or washing dishes. The policy applies to all bookings made on or after November 20.
Hosts react with fury
Hosts erupted in anger after the Wednesday announcement, with many posting complaints online. One host wrote that Airbnb increasingly expects hosts to accept risks while limiting their ability to protect themselves.
“As hosts, we have a responsibility to protect our investments, our homes, and, in many cases, our personal living spaces.”
Hosts compare Airbnb to abuse
One Reddit user called Airbnb an abusive partner, while another agreed, saying they recognised how truthful those words were. Some hosts said they would leave the platform entirely.
“Airbnb is like an abusive partner.”
Guests celebrate the change
Guests have long complained about paying hefty cleaning fees while being required to complete chores before checkout. Many are celebrating the new policy as a win against unfair expectations.
“The guest experience has become total ass. Clean dishes and run in the dishwasher. Strip the beds, put all linen in the laundry room.”
What counts as reasonable
Airbnb spokesperson Simon Letouze told WIRED that hosts can still make reasonable requests, such as asking guests to put dirty dishes in the sink or take short showers in drought areas.
Airbnb blocks workarounds
Airbnb announced that hosts cannot circumvent the policy by listing cleaning tasks in the Requests section. The platform's interface now flags and rejects such requests with a red highlight and pop-up warning.
“Guests shouldn't be asked to do this task.”
Separate contracts also banned
Starting November 20, Airbnb is also banning hosts from requiring guests to sign separate contracts, with limited exceptions for local legal requirements, longer stays, or optional amenities like golf cart rentals.
Penalties for violations
Hosts who violate the new policies may receive warnings, have their listings removed, or be banned from the platform entirely. Airbnb says it does not help enforce the terms of separate contracts.
Hosts explore workarounds
Some hosts are attempting to circumvent the policy by moving rules to other listing sections like Guest Access or creating house manuals. It remains unclear whether Airbnb will allow these approaches.
Existing protections remain
Airbnb's existing ground rules require guests to treat the home like their own. Hosts can charge reasonable fees for damage and access AirCover, which reimburses up to three million dollars for certain property damage caused…
The takeaway
Airbnb banned hosts from requiring guests to do cleaning chores starting November twentieth, angering hosts who say they need to protect their properties while guests celebrate the change.
