Airbnb limits chores for guests, sparking backlash from hosts

Airbnb is taking steps to limit the chores that hosts can require of guests prior to checkout, addressing a long-standing grievance among customers who often pay cleaning fees and are told they must do a list of tasks themselves. In a new policy update, Airbnb prohibits hosts from mandating that guests strip beds, wash and put away dishes, start laundry, or remove trash from the property. This new guideline will apply to reservations made on or after November 20.

Airbnb 正在采取措施限制房东在退房前对房客提出的家务要求，以解决客户长期以来的不满。这些客户往往支付了清洁费，却被要求自己完成一系列任务。在最新的政策更新中，Airbnb 禁止房东强制要求房客拆卸床单、清洗并收纳餐具、启动洗衣机或清理房内垃圾。这一新准则将适用于 11 月 20 日或之后预订的订单。

This change comes in response to years of backlash regarding overly burdensome checkout instructions and hefty fines for not disposing of trash. Many guests have voiced their frustrations on social media, questioning why they should be responsible for cleaning tasks after already paying a cleaning fee. However, some hosts aren’t pleased with the update. Within Airbnb’s community forums, some argue that basic cleaning responsibilities are essential for maintaining sanitary conditions and protecting their properties. They point out that hosts must manage the costs and practical demands of preparing their properties for the next guests.

这一变化是为了回应多年来关于退房要求过于繁琐以及因未处理垃圾而被处以高额罚款的强烈反对。许多房客在社交媒体上表达了不满，质疑既然已经支付了清洁费，为什么还要负责清洁工作。然而，一些房东对此次更新并不满意。在 Airbnb 的社区论坛中，有人认为基本的清洁责任对于保持卫生状况和保护房产至关重要。他们指出，房东必须管理好为下一位房客准备房产的成本和实际需求。

One host expressed concern that the new policy leans towards a hotel-like model, which detracts from the unique appeal of Airbnb. “Guests are given complete freedom to be lazy while the hosts bear the risk,” the host wrote. “The major distinction between commercial hotels and my private home is the personal touch. Guests can certainly be expected to wash their dishes or put them in the dishwasher and remove their dirty linens. In exchange, they enjoy a personal connection and a unique environment that a hotel simply can’t provide. Plus, every potential guest has the opportunity to read the listing beforehand and decide what they prefer. If these restrictions are removed, it could lead me to withdraw my listing and bid farewell to Airbnb after twelve years.”

一位房东表示担心，认为新政策倾向于酒店模式，这削弱了 Airbnb 的独特吸引力。“房客可以随心所欲地偷懒，而风险却由房东承担，”该房东写道。“商业酒店与我私人住宅的主要区别在于个性化服务。房客完全应该被要求清洗餐具或放入洗碗机，并撤下脏床单。作为交换，他们享受到了酒店无法提供的个人联系和独特环境。此外，每位潜在房客都有机会提前阅读房源信息并做出选择。如果这些限制被取消，可能会导致我在使用 Airbnb 十二年后下架房源并告别该平台。”

Airbnb has outlined some exceptions to the new policy, though. Hosts may still ask guests to conserve water during droughts or use bear-proof trash containers in areas where wildlife poses a risk. The policy change highlights the challenge Airbnb faces in balancing the expectations of guests versus hosts, and is another step taken in addressing guests’ concerns. The company faced scrutiny in 2024 over price transparency from hosts tacking on cleaning fees after guests booked their listings. In 2023, the company said more than 260,000 hosts had reduced or eliminated their cleaning fees. In May 2025, Airbnb began displaying total prices — including fees but excluding taxes — by default in search results worldwide.

不过，Airbnb 也为新政策列出了一些例外情况。房东仍然可以要求房客在干旱期间节约用水，或在野生动物构成威胁的地区使用防熊垃圾桶。此次政策调整凸显了 Airbnb 在平衡房客与房东期望方面所面临的挑战，也是解决房客关切的又一步。2024 年，该公司因房东在房客预订后额外收取清洁费而面临价格透明度方面的质疑。2023 年，该公司表示已有超过 26 万名房东减少或取消了清洁费。2025 年 5 月，Airbnb 开始在全球搜索结果中默认显示包含费用（不含税）的总价。

It will be interesting to see how many hosts decide the new restrictions make Airbnb less attractive as a platform. But the move could also draw in more travelers who want the convenience of a rental without feeling as though they are both paying for housecleaning while still expected to clean the home themselves.

值得关注的是，会有多少房东认为这些新限制降低了 Airbnb 作为平台的吸引力。但此举也可能吸引更多旅行者，他们希望享受租赁的便利，而不必在支付清洁费的同时还要自己打扫房屋。