Airbnb announced today, by email to hosts and in its Resource Center, that it is reorganizing house rules. They are meant to be easier for hosts to set up and easier for guests to read. Starting now, house rules are shown more prominently on the listing, in the guests’ Trips tab and in reservation reminders. On top of that comes a new house rules policy that takes effect on November 20, 2026.
Seven standard rules, two of them new
In the Listing editor you now choose from seven standard house rules: maximum overnight guests, quiet hours, events, pets, smoking (including vaping and e-cigarettes), commercial photography and filming, and lock up at checkout. The maximum number of overnight guests and locking up at checkout are new. All other checkout instructions now go under “Requests”.
Requests yes, cleaning no
Under the new policy, every request has to be reasonable. Airbnb gives these examples:
- Dishes: putting used dishes in the sink is fine. Washing and putting them away is not.
- Laundry: gathering used towels is fine. Stripping the beds or starting a load of laundry is not.
- Trash: separating trash and recycling into the indoor bins is fine. Taking the garbage off-site is not.
- Amenities: turning off the air conditioning when leaving is fine. Asking guests not to use it is not.
According to Airbnb, what is reasonable also depends on the type of listing and on local factors, so exceptions are possible – for example bear-proof trash containers or shower limits during a drought. The line itself is not new: back in 2022, Airbnb CEO Brian Chesky told Yahoo Finance that guests shouldn’t have to clean when they check out.
Contracts only in exceptional cases
Your own contracts are now only allowed in specific cases: when the law requires them, for homeowners association (HOA) rules, for monthly rental agreements, for Airbnb Luxe listings and for optional extras such as golf carts. You upload them in your listing settings under “Contracts”. Airbnb does not enforce them and does not require guests to sign them.
What happens if your requests don’t comply
Requests that don’t meet the policy are highlighted in the Listing editor, and you get an email with tips. You can also appeal. If the issue stays unresolved, guests may see an alert on your listing such as “includes cleaning requests”. All rules and requests also belong only in the house rules section – not elsewhere in the listing, in messages or on signs in your home. A friendly reminder during the stay via a quick reply is still possible. And there is backup for you: if a guest breaks a house rule, or says before check-in that they will, you can cancel the reservation without fees, according to Airbnb.
What does this mean for you?
Review your house rules and checkout instructions before November 20. Remove tasks like washing dishes, stripping beds or taking out the trash, and turn them into reasonable requests, such as “please put used dishes in the sink” or “please gather used towels in the bathroom”. Update your scheduled messages, your house manual and any signs in your home so they don’t add extra rules.
Many U.S. hosts work with HOA or condo rules – for example guest registration forms or rules for trash rooms and parking. HOA rules are one of the cases where Airbnb still allows a contract. If your community requires something guests can’t skip, check whether it counts as a local exception and upload the documents under “Contracts”. Whatever guests no longer do, your cleaning team has to: plan the time and check whether your cleaning fee still fits. Have an attorney check the details if you are unsure.
