Starting November 20, 2026, Airbnb hosts can't require guests to strip beds, wash dishes, start laundry or take trash off the property. For a lot of hosts, those chores kept turnovers quick, so the change means a little more planning with your cleaning team. Here's what changed and how to update your listing.
What does the new policy mean for hosts?
The time guests used to spend on checkout chores now goes back onto your cleaners' schedules. Stripping beds and running the dishwasher saved real minutes on every turnover. And since Airbnb shows guests the total price, cleaning fee included, raising your cleaning fee to cover the extra work is a harder call than it used to be.
Hosts also lose the option of listing fines in their house rules. Some long-time hosts have said publicly that the change puts more of the risk on them. The sections below cover what you can still ask for and how to plan your turnovers around it.
When do Airbnb's new house rules start?
The new rules apply to reservations booked on or after November 20, 2026.
What chores can't Airbnb hosts ask guests to do?
Hosts can't require these four checkout chores, per Airbnb's Help Center:
- Washing and putting away dishes
- Stripping beds or changing linens
- Starting laundry
- Taking trash off the property
What can Airbnb hosts still ask guests to do?
Hosts can still ask for quick, light tasks. According to Airbnb's house rules update, these are allowed:
- Putting used dishes in the sink
- Gathering used towels
- Sorting trash and recycling into bins inside the home
- Turning off the AC and other utilities when leaving
Rules that fit the location are fine too, like using bear-proof trash bins or keeping showers short during a drought.
Can Airbnb hosts still charge fines?
No. Hosts can't charge their own fines or penalties to guests. This is the change that'll catch the most listings, so remove any rule with a dollar amount, like "$250 smoking fee."
Two things still work. Damage claims go through Airbnb's Resolution Center. And if your HOA or city can fine guests for noise or parking, you can tell guests about it in the listing.
What are Airbnb's seven standard house rules?
Listings now start from seven standard rules: maximum overnight guests, quiet hours, events, pets, smoking, commercial photography, and locking up at checkout. Hosts can add their own reasonable rules on top.
What happens if your house rules break the policy?
Airbnb flags the rule and asks you to update it, and you can appeal. If it isn't fixed, Airbnb can add a warning to your listing that guests see and lower your listing in search.
Lower search placement is the real cost. It can also affect the numbers behind Superhost status.
Compliant Airbnb checkout instructions template
Paste this into your listing's checkout instructions and your pre-checkout message:
Hi [Guest name], thanks for staying at [Property name]! Checkout is at [time] tomorrow. Before you go:
- Put used dishes in the sink.
- Leave used towels in the tub.
- Sort trash and recycling into the bins under the sink.
- Turn off the AC and lights, and lock the front door.
That's it. Our cleaning team handles the rest. Safe travels!
Keep the line "Our cleaning team handles the rest." It answers the question guests will ask: "Do I still need to strip the beds?"
How to get ready before November 20
- Update your listing. Remove banned chores and any fines.
- Update everywhere else. Saved replies, scheduled messages, fridge signs, rental agreements and your vacation rental guidebook should all match the listing.
- Talk to your cleaners. Turnovers may take a bit longer, so give your cleaning team a heads-up and check that your schedule and cleaning fee still cover the work.
If you use Akia, you can ask Akia to find every rental agreement, Mini App and automated message that still mentions the old checkout chores or fines, and she'll rewrite them to match the new policy. You review each change before it goes live, and your digital guidebook updates for every guest at once.
This policy also limits separate contracts and what guest info you can collect. That's covered in what Airbnb's rental agreement rules still allow.
FAQ
Do guests have to clean an Airbnb before checkout?
No. Starting November 20, 2026, guests only need to do tasks like putting dishes in the sink, gathering towels and locking up. The host's cleaning team handles the rest.
Are Airbnb house rules legally binding?
House rules are part of what guests agree to when they book, and Airbnb enforces them through its own policies. Only reasonable rules shown before booking count. Separate contracts are limited to cases like legal or HOA requirements.
Where do guests find checkout instructions on Airbnb?
Guests see checkout instructions in their trip details in the Airbnb app. Many hosts also send them in a message the day before checkout, so keep both versions the same.
