New Policy Shifts How Airbnb Works for Hosts and Travellers

Significant changes to how airbnb works are taking effect globally, as the accommodation platform bars property owners from requiring guests to complete standard cleaning duties before departure. Under revised guidelines taking effect for bookings made worldwide from 20 November, hosts may set seven standard house rules alongside reasonable requests, but they can no longer mandate tasks such as cleaning dishes, stripping bed linen, or transporting rubbish off the premises.

Airbnb will prohibit hosts from demanding guests complete domestic cleaning chores like washing dishes or stripping beds.

Holiday let owners have expressed concern that the restrictions could disrupt operations. Lisa Clewes, who manages a holiday let in Wales, recalled discovering broken glasses, littered drink cans, leftover food in pans, and fish remains in her garden after a guest gathering. Clewes imposes a cleaning fee that funds roughly 75 percent of cleaner costs and typically requires four hours to turn around her three-bedroom property. She cautions that absorbing extra cleaning work could require hiring additional staff, expenses she warns could ultimately raise prices for guests.

In North Yorkshire, cabin retreat co-owner Anthony Marsh reduced his listings on the platform from five to two out of 12 cabins following the announcement. Marsh, whose business does not charge a cleaning fee, voiced concern that the policy leaves hosts unable to stop visitors from leaving properties in disarray, putting pressure on brief changeover windows.

Rebalancing how airbnb works for cleaners and guests

For travellers, the policy change offers relief from long checkout lists that often accompany substantial surcharges. Jessica Newhook recounted paying a $250 (£187) cleaning fee for an 11-guest family reunion in Florida, only to be instructed to mop floors, wash towels, clean bedding, and scrub the kitchen under threat of being asked to leave. She noted that mounting demands and fees have made traditional hotels seem more reliable and economical.

Krissi Foskett, a cleaning company director from Glasgow and frequent platform user, noted that while extreme tenant damage like broken furniture and pet messes occurs, basic upkeep should not fall on visitors paying additional charges. Foskett argued that professional cleaning constitutes an ordinary cost of running a rental business. According to figures from AirROI, 63.2 percent of listings currently charge a cleaning fee, with an average rate of £55.

Why it matters

The update reshapes check-out expectations across the short-term rental market by eliminating mandatory chores that have driven visitor frustration. Because a majority of platform listings already charge dedicated cleaning fees, property operators warn the curb on guest tasks may force businesses to increase staffing and pass added operational expenses onto future travellers.