Airbnb makes big change to checkout rules for South African holidaymakers

South Africans booking Airbnb accommodation could soon have fewer chores to worry about before heading home, after the platform introduced new rules limiting what hosts can require guests to do at checkout.

The changes are aimed at making checkout expectations clearer and preventing guests from being saddled with lengthy cleaning tasks that would normally be handled by a cleaner.

Airbnb said it had heard concerns from its community about checkout requirements that could be confusing, burdensome and difficult to manage. The new policy applies to reservations booked on or after 20 November 2026.

Which Airbnb checkout chores are being restricted?

Under the new rules, hosts generally cannot require guests to carry out tasks that require significant time or effort or would typically be handled by a cleaner.

This includes:

Checkout chore	Can hosts require it?
Strip the beds	Generally not allowed
Start a laundry load	Generally not allowed
Wash and put away dishes	Generally not allowed
Take rubbish off the property	Generally not allowed
Leave used dishes in the sink	Reasonable request
Gather used towels	Reasonable request
Separate rubbish and recycling into designated indoor bins	Reasonable request
Turn off lights when leaving	Generally reasonable
Lock up when leaving	Can be a standard house rule

Airbnb’s policy specifically states that hosts are generally not allowed to ask guests to strip beds, take rubbish off-site or wash and put away dishes.

So, for example, an Airbnb host can still ask guests to put their used dishes in the sink, but cannot generally make washing and putting those dishes away a mandatory checkout task.

Likewise, guests may be asked to gather used towels, but not to strip the beds or start a washing machine.

What about the cleaning fee?

The changes will be particularly relevant to guests who have already paid a cleaning fee as part of their Airbnb booking.

Airbnb’s updated approach is intended to prevent guests from being expected to perform substantial cleaning work themselves, particularly tasks that would normally form part of the property’s turnover between bookings.

However, the policy does not mean guests can simply leave an Airbnb in a mess.

Guests remain responsible for respecting the property and can be held accountable for damage or cleaning that goes beyond normal use.

Airbnb says guests should not leave a property requiring deep or excessive cleaning, while damage beyond normal wear and tear can still result in the guest being expected to pay reasonable costs.

Another significant change is that hosts will have to be upfront about their rules.

House rules and requests must be disclosed in the designated section of the listing when the guest books.

Hosts cannot add new checkout requirements afterwards through Airbnb messages, signs inside the property or verbal instructions.

This should make it easier for holidaymakers to know exactly what is expected of them before they commit to a booking.

Airbnb has also changed how these rules are displayed, with house rules and reasonable requests now appearing more prominently on listings and in guests’ reservation information.

Hosts can’t impose their own fines either

The new policy also places restrictions on hosts imposing their own fines or penalties on guests.

Airbnb says hosts cannot impose fines or other penalties, although they can notify guests about potential fines imposed by a community association or local government where relevant.

The platform’s AirCover for Hosts provides protection in certain circumstances when guests cause damage to a property or belongings.

The changes also cover amenities.

A host generally cannot tell guests not to use a feature that was advertised as being included with the property.

For example, if air conditioning is advertised as an amenity, a host cannot simply restrict guests from using it as part of their checkout requirements.

Any fees associated with an advertised part of the listing must also be included in the price shown to guests when they book.

What does this mean for South African holidaymakers?

For South Africans who regularly use Airbnb for December holidays, weekend getaways and domestic travel, the changes should make the final part of a stay considerably simpler.

Instead of being handed a long list of cleaning tasks before checkout, guests should generally only be expected to leave the property in a reasonable condition and follow legitimate house rules.

This could be particularly useful for families travelling with children, where checkout can already be a stressful part of a holiday.

It also means travellers should pay closer attention to the house rules and requests shown on an Airbnb listing before booking.

If a property has unusual requirements, guests should be able to see those expectations upfront rather than discovering them through a note on the fridge on their final morning.

Airbnb says it may take action when a host’s rules or requests don’t comply with the new policy.

This could include educating the host, asking them to update their listing or issuing a warning.

If the problem continues, Airbnb may place a notice on the listing warning guests about the issue, reduce the listing’s visibility in search results or take further action under its Terms of Service.

Guests who encounter rules that appear to violate the policy can also report them to Airbnb.

While the changes will likely be welcomed by holidaymakers tired of lengthy checkout lists, Airbnb has made it clear that the new policy is not a free pass to trash a property.

Guests are still expected to respect the home and follow legitimate house rules.