Some hosts are threatening to strike, while others are plotting ways around Airbnb’s new restrictions. Guests, meanwhile, are celebrating.
Comment Loader Save Story Save this story Comment Loader Save Story Save this story Airbnb hosts are melting down over a new policy banning them from making guests complete tasks that “would typically be performed by a cleaner,” like “stripping the bed, taking trash offsite, or washing and putting away dishes.” The change, which applies to all bookings made on or after November 20, quickly sparked outrage after it was announced in an email to Airbnb hosts on Wednesday. Many began fuming online about losing the right to make their guests clean up after themselves. “As hosts, we have a responsibility to protect our investments, our homes, and, in many cases, our personal living spaces,” one person wrote in Airbnb’s official forum for hosts. “The problem is that Airbnb increasingly expects hosts to accept the risks while limiting our ability to protect ourselves.” “Airbnb is like an abusive partner,” wrote one user on the Reddit community r/airbnb_hosts. “I’m alive long enough to recognize how truthful those few words are,” another person replied . “Truth nuke,” another person said . “First sentence of my requests section will now state ‘Here are my house rules!’" another person said , though it’s unclear whether Airbnb’s interface will allow this. Many guests, meanwhile, are celebrating. For years, travelers have complained about having to pay hefty cleaning fees as part of their Airbnb bookings, only to be required to complete a list of chores before checking out. “The guest experience has become total ass,” one person said in a subreddit for Airbnb hosts. “Clean dishes and run in the dishwasher. Strip the beds, put dirty towels in the laundry room. Take out all garbage, put in garbage can, take to the curb. Honestly, knock it off.” Airbnb noted in its Wednesday announcement that hosts can’t get around the new policy by listing cleaning tasks in the “Requests” section of their listings instead. Airbnb spokesperson Simon Letouze tells WIRED that hosts can still make “reasonable” requests, such as asking guests to put dirty dishes in the sink. Other examples Airbnb cites includes asking guests to conserve water during droughts or use bear-proof trash containers in areas where wildlife poses a risk. In a Facebook group for Airbnb hosts, one person posted what they claimed was a screenshot of their failed attempt to edit their property’s “Requests” section. They tried to ask guests to wash and air-dry dishes, put dirty towels in the laundry room, and take trash to a dumpster at an RV park they could find using a map on the refrigerator. But they realized they couldn’t hit save. Airbnb’s interface had underlined and highlighted the requests in red and displayed a pop-up that read “Guests shouldn’t be asked to do this task.” Airbnb is also banning hosts from requiring guests to sign separate contracts, with limited exceptions for local legal requirements, longer stays, or accessing “an optional amenity” like a “golf cart rental.” If one of these situations applies, hosts have to mention it in the dedicated section of their listing. Airbnb adds that it “doesn’t help enforce the terms of these contracts.” Hosts who violate either policy, Airbnb warns, may receive warnings, or in severe situations, have their listings removed, or be banned from the platform entirely. In a Facebook group for Airbnb hosts, one person posted a letter they claimed to have sent to company executives, demanding the ability to set their own “common-sense expectations” for guests. They encouraged others to send their own versions. Another asked if they should raise their prices, while a third called for hosts to organize a platform-wide strike. “Even if we all unlist our properties for just a day or two, we can send a powerful message,” they wrote. “Airbnb built its empire on OUR properties. It’s time we reminded them who actually holds the power.” 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. 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. Topics Airbnb , Apps When you purchase through links in our articles, we may earn a small commission . This doesn’t affect our editorial independence. Lauren Forristal Lauren covers media, streaming, apps and platforms at TechCrunch. You can contact or verify outreach from Lauren by emailing [email protected] or via encrypted message at laurenforris22.25 on Signal. 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