Airbnb is changing its house rules to protect guests from burdensome checkout chores that could leave them feeling their stay was less relaxing.
Under the policy announced this week, hosts may no longer require visitors to strip beds, run washing-machine cycles or complete other household tasks that Airbnb says demand considerable time or effort and would normally be handled by a professional cleaner.
The company said lengthy checkout requests can contribute to poor guest reviews, potentially damaging a property’s reputation and hurting its host.
Some Airbnb hosts have pushed back, however. More than 5,000 people have signed a Change.org petition urging the platform to scrap the changes, calling them excessive and “unreasonable.”
The petition argues that hosts may need to pay cleaners to handle the additional work, raising operating costs that could eventually appear in the form of higher nightly rates for guests.
“These are not professional cleaning duties,” the petition states. “They are ordinary aspects of living responsibly in somebody else’s property.”
What are the new rules?
The vacation-rental platform outlined the types of checkout requests it considers acceptable in a new policy posted on its website. The rules apply to reservations made on or after Nov. 20, according to Airbnb.
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The distinction can be subtle. Hosts may ask guests to leave used dishes in the sink, for example, but they cannot require them to wash or put those dishes away. Guests can also be asked to sort trash and recycling, though hosts may not instruct them to take garbage to an off-site disposal location.
“When adding a request, remember that most guests want to avoid unexpected chores,” Airbnb said in its guidance.
Airbnb warned that hosts who repeatedly disregard the policy could see their listings receive less visibility. The company may also add a notice to a property’s page informing potential guests about the host’s violation.
