Airbnb will stop hosts from requiring guests to perform lengthy cleaning chores, restricting advertised facilities or paying fines under new rules that take effect for bookings made from November 20, 2026.

The changes are aimed at making stays on the short-term rental platform fairer by preventing guests from facing extra demands after paying for accommodation, including cleaning fees.

According to Newsweek, which reported the development on October 22, Airbnb said the new rules followed complaints that some house rules were confusing, burdensome and difficult for guests to manage.

Under the revised policy, hosts will generally not be allowed to require guests to perform cleaning duties that take significant time or effort or would normally be handled by professional cleaners.

These include stripping beds, taking rubbish to an off-site location, and washing and putting away dishes.

The restrictions are particularly relevant to guests who already pay cleaning fees, as they will no longer be expected to undertake substantial cleaning tasks as a condition of their stay.

Airbnb is also introducing rules to protect access to advertised facilities. Hosts will not be allowed to deny guests the use of features listed as part of a property’s offering.

In addition, hosts will be prohibited from imposing fines or other penalties on guests under the new policy.

An Airbnb spokesperson told Newsweek that the company had redesigned its house-rule system to make expectations clearer and ensure that requests made of guests remained reasonable.

The announcement has received mixed reactions from travellers and accommodation providers.

Some guests welcomed the changes, particularly the restriction on cleaning demands imposed despite the payment of cleaning fees.

Tyler T, chief executive of Peachybbies Slime Company, praised the move in a post on X, complaining about situations in which guests pay a $300 cleaning fee but are still expected to change sheets, wash dishes and take out rubbish.

However, some hosts have expressed dissatisfaction. The Hewn Hotel in Yorkshire, England, said in an Instagram post that it was frustrated and disappointed by the announcement and questioned whether it would continue using the platform.

The new rules are expected to require hosts to review their existing house rules and ensure that their demands comply with Airbnb’s updated policy.

For guests, the changes mean greater protection against extensive cleaning duties, unexpected penalties and restrictions on facilities they were promised when making a booking.

The rules will apply to reservations made on or after November 20, 2026.