Airbnb's New Checkout Policy Splits Opinion Among Property Owners and Visitors
Starting this November, upcoming global Airbnb regulations will prohibit property owners from demanding that visitors complete chores traditionally handled by professional cleaning staff. Under the updated guidelines, which affect reservations secured globally from November 20 onward, owners are restricted to establishing seven baseline house rules alongside other reasonable expectations. Consequently, visitors can no longer be instructed to strip beds, wash and put away dishes, or remove trash off the premises prior to departure.
This policy shift has triggered a divide between individuals who rent out properties and those who book them. Certain hosts worry about the potential operational and financial fallout. For instance, Lisa Clewes, who operates a holiday rental in Wales, experienced a situation where visitors left her property in a disorderly state, featuring scattered drinks cans, broken glassware, and food containers. Clewes notes that preparing her three-bedroom accommodation typically requires four hours of cleaning work. She worries that visitors might leave behind even greater messes under the updated guidelines, potentially forcing her to hire additional cleaning help and raise prices, costs that could ultimately be transferred to future visitors. Similarly, Anthony Marsh, co-owner of a cabin retreat in North Yorkshire, decided to decrease his properties listed on the platform as a direct result of these upcoming regulations.
Conversely, the policy updates have brought comfort to visitors who felt overwhelmed by demanding departure requirements alongside steep cleaning charges. Jessica Newhook described a family trip to Florida where her group paid a $250 cleaning fee yet still faced extensive departure chores, such as washing and folding towels, cleaning bedding and kitchen areas, and sweeping and mopping floors, alongside strict warnings regarding their conduct. Newhook explained that such extensive guidelines eliminated the relaxation of the trip, leading her to consider traditional hotels as more affordable and predictable options.
Meanwhile, industry professionals who experience both perspectives offer a nuanced view. Krissi Foskett, a Glasgow cleaning company owner who frequently books short-term rentals, notes that while she understands the challenges hosts face with tight schedules and escalating cleaning expenses, professional cleaning remains an inherent expense of operating a rental business. Although she acknowledges the distinction between being a thoughtful visitor and handling business operations, she questioned the purpose of paying extra cleaning fees when instructed to manage laundry and haul garbage.
Sources: BBC News
Aggregated summary. Original: BBC News