Saying Goodbye To Dishwashing
Airbnb guests can finally say goodbye to exhausting checkout chores. The short-term rental platform announced an important new policy this week. The new rules limit hosts to “reasonable” checkout requests beginning on Nov. 20. Guests can still be asked to leave dirty dishes in the sink. Hosts can ask them to gather used towels and sort the recycling. However, hosts generally cannot require chores typically handled by professional cleaners. “Remember to think like a guest and keep in mind what you’d find unreasonable,” Airbnb stated. They released a video explaining the new policy directly to hosts.
Addressing Cleaning Fee Frustrations
Checkout chores have been a recurring point of massive contention for Airbnb guests. The frustration grows exponentially when guests are also paying expensive cleaning fees. The company previously acknowledged that those fees create vastly different expectations. Airbnb said exceptions may apply in certain extreme circumstances globally. For example, requiring guests to put trash in animal-proof containers in bear country. Hosts must now also disclose all house rules in a designated listing section. They must do this before the guests actually book the property. They can no longer add extra requirements through private messages or signs inside.
Making Booking More Predictable
Airbnb is standardizing house rules into seven distinct, clear categories. These cover topics including overnight guests, quiet hours, pets, and smoking. The changes build on Airbnb’s broader efforts to make booking more predictable. In 2023, CEO Brian Chesky acknowledged the massive variety of properties creates uncertainty. “We don’t want this to be a moment of truth,” he told The Associated Press. “We want you to know exactly what you’re going to get.” These changes aim to restore consumer trust in the massive rental platform. Navigate the changing landscape of global travel and hospitality. Read more essential consumer news and vacation tips at The WAU.
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