Airbnb hosts threaten boycott over new guest cleaning rules
Some hosts plan to close calendars on November 20 as the company restricts tasks like stripping beds and washing dishes.
Airbnb has introduced a new policy regarding reasonable house rules and requests, which has led to backlash from hosts, according to a Times of India report. The policy, announced on October 20, prevents hosts from asking guests to perform tasks that require significant time or effort, or tasks typically handled by professional cleaners.
The company specified that hosts are generally not allowed to require guests to strip beds, take trash offsite, or wash and put away dishes. Under the new rules, hosts also cannot restrict access to advertised features or impose fines and penalties on guests, though they can provide notice if local authorities might impose fines.
Some hosts have responded by threatening to leave the platform, increasing their prices, or removing access to kitchens. A Fortune report noted that some hosts are planning a booking blackout on November 20, the date the policy takes effect. A Change.org petition calling for Airbnb to reverse the restriction has gathered more than 10,000 signatures.
While hosts expressed frustration on platforms like Reddit, some guests have welcomed the change. One guest noted that if they are not required to clean dishes in a budget hotel with a kitchen, they should not have to do so at an Airbnb. Another guest suggested that hosts who charge high cleaning fees should not expect guests to perform major cleaning tasks.