Airbnb is taking measures to limit the amount of housework that landlords can require tenants to complete before check-out, in response to a long-standing complaint: many users are forced to do a long list of cleaning tasks themselves while also paying for cleaning services.

According to a new policy update, Airbnb prohibits landlords from requiring tenants to remove bed sheets, wash and put away dishes, start doing laundry, or take out garbage from the rental property. This new rule will apply to bookings completed on or after November 20th.

This change is a response to years of complaints regarding overly cumbersome check-out procedures and high penalties such as fines for not disposing of trash properly. Many tenants have expressed their dissatisfaction on social media, questioning why they are still responsible for cleaning tasks after having already paid the cleaning fee.

However, some landlords are not satisfied with this update. On the community forum of Airbnb, some people believe that basic cleaning responsibilities are crucial for maintaining sanitary conditions and protecting the property. They point out that landlords must bear the costs and practical operational pressures of preparing the property for the next batch of tenants.

A landlord expressed concern that this new policy leans more towards a hotel-style model, thereby weakening the unique appeal of Airbnb.

“Tenants are given complete freedom to be lazy, while landlords bear the risks,” writes this landlord. “The main difference between commercial hotels and my private residence lies in the personalized service. Tenants can definitely be asked to wash the dishes, or to put the dishes in the dishwasher and take away the dirty sheets. In exchange, they enjoy personal contact and a unique environment that a hotel cannot provide. Moreover, each potential tenant can read the information about the property in advance and decide what they prefer. If these restrictions are lifted, I might take down my property and say goodbye to Airbnb after 12 years.”

However, Airbnb has also listed some exceptions for the new policy. In arid areas, landlords can still request tenants to conserve water; in areas where wild animals pose a risk, landlords may also require tenants to use bear-proof trash cans.

This policy change highlights the challenges Airbnb faces in balancing the expectations of tenants and landlords, and it is also another step taken by the company to address tenant concerns. In 2024, the company came under scrutiny for issues related to price transparency, as some landlords charged additional cleaning fees after tenants made bookings. In 2023, the company stated that over 260,000 landlords had reduced or eliminated these cleaning fees. In May 2025, Airbnb began to display the total price by default in global search results – including fees, but excluding taxes.

What is worth paying attention to next is how many landlords will think that these new restrictions will reduce the attractiveness of Airbnb as a platform. However, this measure may also attract more travelers who wish to enjoy the convenience of renting a place without having to pay for household cleaning services and yet still being required to clean the house themselves.