Airbnb bans hosts from requiring guests to do chores

Summarised from 4 outlets · Updated 21 Oct, 23:15 · Archive

Airbnb is prohibiting hosts from asking guests to complete tasks like washing dishes or removing bedsheets, effective from 20 November.

Airbnb has updated its house rules policy to prohibit hosts from requiring guests to complete time-consuming chores before checking out. The new policy, effective for reservations booked on or after 20 November, bans tasks that 'require significant effort or time, or would typically be performed by a cleaner'.

The prohibited chores include asking guests to wash and put away dishes, remove bedsheets from beds or start loads of laundry, or take rubbish off-site. Hosts can, however, ask guests to put dirty dishes in the sink, gather used towels, separate trash and recycling into designated indoor bins, or turn off amenities like air conditioning when leaving.

Airbnb is displaying these requests more prominently in a new 'rules and requests' section on listings. Hosts who leave chore requests after the new policy takes effect may see an 'includes cleaning requests' warning on their listing. The company is also preventing hosts from sneaking additional rules into messages to guests or signs around the property.

The change has sparked strong reactions from hosts. Some have threatened to stop renting on the platform or to strip down their properties' facilities. One host on Airbnb's forum argued that 'as hosts, we have a responsibility to protect our investments, our homes, and, in many cases, our personal living spaces'. Another described Airbnb as 'like an abusive partner'.

Guests, meanwhile, have welcomed the policy. For years, travellers have complained about paying cleaning fees whilst still being required to complete lengthy checkout checklists. One guest said the experience had become unacceptable, listing tasks including cleaning dishes, stripping beds and putting laundry in the washing room, and taking rubbish to the curb.

Airbnb noted that hosts cannot circumvent the new policy by listing cleaning tasks as 'requests' instead of rules. An Airbnb spokesperson confirmed that hosts can still make 'reasonable' requests such as putting dirty dishes in the sink. The company has allowed exceptions for unique situations, such as asking guests to place trash in animal-proof containers in bear country.

How it is being reported

• Airbnb limits chores for guests, sparking backlash from hostsHosts are threatening to leave the platform after Airbnb says that they can no longer require guests to strip beds or do other time-consuming cleaning chores.TechCrunch · 21 Oct, 23:16
• Airbnb bans hosts from making you do the dishesAny chores that a cleaner might do are no longer deemed reasonable requests for visitors.Engadget · 21 Oct, 23:04
• Airbnb Hosts Are Furious They Can No Longer Make Guests Do Their ChoresSome hosts are threatening to strike, while others are plotting ways around Airbnb’s new restrictions. Guests, meanwhile, are celebrating.Wired · 21 Oct, 22:57
• Airbnb bans making guests do dishes and take out the trashChecking out of your next Airbnb might be less of a hassle now that the company is banning hosts from including time-consuming chores in their house rules. Airbnb's updated house rules policy, which starts with reservations booked on or after November 20th, says hosts can't ask guests to "complete tasks that require significant effort or […]The Verge · 21 Oct, 20:54

In this story: Airbnb · The Verge · Wired · Engadget

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