Airbnb New House Rules Policy: What Hosts Can Ask From Nov 20

Airbnb is rolling out a new house rules policy that takes effect for bookings made on or after November 20, 2026, and it directly targets checkout chores. Hosts will no longer be able to require guests to do tasks like washing dishes, taking out the trash, or stripping beds. The new policy addresses a long-standing guest complaint: paying a cleaning fee and then being handed a list of cleaning tasks.

The update arrives in two stages. Since October 20, a new house rules editor has been live, consolidating all house rules and requests in one place. Hosts can choose from seven standard rules (maximum overnight guests, quiet hours, events, pets, smoking/vaping, commercial photography, and lock up at checkout), while everything else becomes a non-binding request. From November 20, the full policy applies. Only house rules are binding; requests are encouraged but not enforceable. Airbnb draws the line at work a cleaner would normally do, with examples: guests can put used dishes in the sink but not wash them, gather used towels but not strip beds, sort rubbish into indoor bins but not take it off-site. The policy also bans effortful tasks, restricted amenities, hidden fees, and fines. Consequences for violations escalate from warnings to lower search visibility.

The policy limits host-imposed contracts to four cases: legal requirements, optional amenities, monthly stays of 28+ nights, and Airbnb Luxe listings. Guest ID collection is restricted to cases where the law or a documented community association rule requires it. Hosts can still check IDs in person at check-in but cannot keep copies without a legal basis. The changes also affect check-in apps: hosts cannot require third-party app registration to enter the home unless alternatives are provided. Airbnb will judge 'reasonable' in context, considering local considerations, and may grant exceptions, such as animal-proof bins in bear country.

The article includes commentary from Dennis Goedheid, founder of Casiola, who calls the change 'overdue,' and Basit Ali of Hostomat, who warns hosts that if cleaning fees assumed guest labor, they have 30 days to adjust. The author's take is that a published standard helps both guests and hosts by setting clear limits and eliminating unfair competition. Hosts are advised to prepare before November 20 by auditing requests, consolidating rules, checking software syncs, reviewing contracts and ID flows, and revisiting pricing.

(Source：RSU by PriceLabs)