No more washing up: How Airbnb's new house rules have divided hosts and guests
Airbnb has updated its global house rules to prevent hosts from requiring guests to perform extensive cleaning tasks like stripping beds or washing dishes. While the change aims to improve the guest experience, some hosts fear it will lead to increased property maintenance costs and higher fees.
Why it matters
This policy shift highlights the ongoing tension between short-term rental platforms, property owners, and consumers regarding service expectations and hidden costs.
Image source, Lisa Clewes Image caption, Airbnb host Lisa says her Welsh holiday let was left 'a complete mess' by a group of guests
When Lisa Clewes returned to her Welsh holiday let after a group of guests checked out, she was horrified by the mess.
Just days earlier, she had met the group in person and helped with their luggage.
But after a dinner party, the house was left "in a complete mess" with broken glasses, drinks cans on the floor, pans full of food on the table and fish guts left in the garden.
"It was really unbelievable. Had I had another booking the same day, I would have had to cancel or delay check-in," says Clewes.
She charges a cleaning fee that covers around 75% of the cost of a cleaner and asks guests to empty the fridge, put rubbish in the bins and load the dishwasher.
Get smarter about the news
Sign up free for a feed built around what you actually care about, Dive Deeper research on any story, and the full text of every article.
Create free accountAlready have an account? Sign in