London: Airbnb is introducing new checkout guidelines that will prevent hosts from requiring guests to complete cleaning tasks normally handled by professional cleaners, including washing and putting away dishes, stripping beds, and taking rubbish off the property.
The updated rules will apply globally to bookings made from November 20. Under the changes, hosts can establish seven standard house rules and include additional reasonable requests for guests.
The revised guidelines distinguish between basic checkout responsibilities and cleaning duties. Guests can still be asked to place used dishes in the sink, gather used towels and separate rubbish and recycling into designated indoor bins. However, hosts cannot require them to wash dishes, strip beds, start laundry or remove rubbish from the property.
The rules also address the use of household utilities. Hosts cannot ask guests to avoid using amenities listed in the property description, such as air conditioning, during their stay. They can, however, request that guests switch them off when checking out.
The changes follow growing concerns over lengthy checkout instructions and additional cleaning charges at holiday rentals. Some guests have faced extensive departure checklists despite paying separate cleaning fees, with requirements including washing towels, cleaning kitchens, sweeping floors and taking rubbish to designated collection points.
According to AirROI data, 63.2 percent of Airbnb listings charge a cleaning fee, with the average fee standing at £55.
The updated policy has also raised concerns among holiday rental operators, particularly those managing multiple properties with limited cleaning staff and short turnaround times between bookings. Some owners have expressed concerns about increased cleaning workloads and operating costs.
The changes come as property owners continue to review their reliance on the platform following increases in Airbnb’s commission rates last year. Some holiday-let operators are increasingly developing their own websites and social media channels to attract direct bookings and reduce platform fees.
However, the revised checkout guidelines are intended to improve the guest experience by ensuring that cleaning responsibilities normally handled by professional services are not transferred to people booking the accommodation.
ALSO READ | AU Small Finance Bank examines suspected data breach
