Airbnb bans hosts from asking guests to wash dishes

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 26 Oct, 13:37 · Archive

Airbnb has banned hosts from asking guests to clean dirty dishes, a rule that will affect hundreds of Oxfordshire properties from November 20.

Airbnb announced the new rules on its website on 20 October. The platform will require hosts to select rules from seven pre-determined areas and add additional 'reasonable requests', which Airbnb will assess. The company has defined what it considers unreasonable chores. Hosts cannot ask guests to remove sheets and start a load of washing, but they can ask them to gather used towels. They cannot ask guests to take rubbish off-site, but can request that guests separate rubbish and use indoor bins.

Airbnb explained the policy by saying 'most guests want to avoid unexpected chores', so 'asking them to do things a cleaner should do could negatively affect their stay'. The new rules apply to the platform's community page.

Some hosts have reacted negatively to the changes. On Airbnb's community page, hosts branded the rule ban 'ludicrous', 'absurd', and 'out of touch with society'. The rules come into effect on 20 November.

How it is being reported

• Hundreds of Oxfordshire holiday lets face new rulesAirbnb has introduced new rules that are set to impact hundreds of Oxfordshire properties.Oxford Mail · 26 Oct, 13:00
• Hundreds of Oxfordshire holiday lets face new rulesAirbnb has introduced new rules that are set to impact hundreds of Oxfordshire properties.Oxfordshire Guardian · 26 Oct, 13:00

In this story: Airbnb · Oxfordshire · Oxford

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