Starting from the end of next month, individuals staying at an Airbnb will face fewer cleaning responsibilities prior to their departure.
The popular short-term rental platform has revised its policies to limit the cleaning tasks that hosts can assign to guests before checkout.
Here’s what you need to know about the updated regulations, which will be effective for reservations made on or after November 20.
What does the revised cleaning policy entail?
The new policy essentially requests hosts to “act reasonably” in various aspects.
Regarding cleanliness, hosts are now prohibited from requiring guests to perform any tasks that would demand “significant effort or time, or tasks that a cleaner would generally handle.”
Such tasks include stripping the beds, transporting trash to an offsite location, or cleaning and storing used dishes.
With this adjustment, Airbnb’s cleaning fee should now only encompass a basic tidying process between guests, and hosts cannot charge guests for incomplete cleaning tasks on the checkout list.
Why is this change happening now?
The responsibilities concerning cleaning within Airbnb have been a contentious issue for some time.
Hosts have shared anecdotes about the conditions left behind by guests, while others have posted TikTok videos that showcase the state of a property post-checkout. Conversely, guests have voiced complaints for years about paying cleaning fees while still being left with personal chores to complete.
Makarand Mody, an associate professor at Boston University’s School of Hospitality Administration, noted, “The main complaint guests have tends to revolve around cleaning responsibilities.”
He added, “There was a disconnect between hosts charging cleaning fees and still expecting guests to adhere to house rules that include cleaning tasks, which differs from the typical experience we have in hotels.”
CBC News has reached out to Airbnb regarding the timing of this policy change.
What additional details does the policy include?
In addition to the cleaning information, the guidelines state that hosts cannot prohibit guests from using amenities listed in their property description. They also cannot impose fines or penalties, as AirCover already safeguards hosts “in the unlikely event that their property or possessions are harmed by a guest.”
House rules and requests must be clearly displayed on the listing when guests make a reservation, and no new rules or requests can be introduced later. These rules encompass aspects such as check-in and check-out times, smoking policies, pet permissions, quiet hours, the number of approved guests, and regulations concerning commercial photography or video.
However, hosts will have the ability to make “reasonable” requests, which can be modified at any time. The policy indicates that Airbnb will evaluate whether a request aligns with this definition based on various factors, including the type of listing and local circumstances.
The statement reads, “We recognize that every home is distinct.” For instance, it may be reasonable to request guests to limit shower duration due to local water restrictions or to use an animal-proof container for trash disposal in bear-prone areas.
Mody expressed interest in observing how hosts react to these changes and how Airbnb will implement the new guidelines. He believes the company has intentionally kept the definition of “reasonable” somewhat vague to allow hosts some flexibility.
“Hosts are also considered customers. Airbnb aims for hosts to have a positive experience, continue listing their properties, and feel a sense of control over their spaces,” the professor explained. “This indicates that Airbnb is not entirely shifting towards a guest-centric approach.”