Last updated: 25 October 2026

Airbnb's new house rules from 20 November 2026: what changes for hosts

Source: Airbnb Help Centre, article 4168, "Reasonable house rules and requests". Every statement about the policy on this page comes from that article.

In short

Airbnb's "Reasonable house rules and requests" policy applies to all reservations booked on or after 20 November 2026. From then on, hosts are generally not allowed to ask guests to complete tasks that require significant effort or time, or that a cleaner would typically do, such as stripping the bed, taking rubbish offsite, or washing and putting away dishes.

House rules and requests must also be shown in the designated section of the listing at the time of booking, and Airbnb may take action against listings whose rules don't comply.

What's no longer allowed

Under the policy, house rules and requests must be reasonable. For example, hosts are generally not allowed to:

• ask guests to complete tasks that require significant effort or time, or would typically be performed by a cleaner. Airbnb's examples: stripping the bed, taking rubbish offsite, washing and putting away dishes;
• restrict access to any feature advertised as part of the listing. Any fee for an advertised part of the listing must be included in the price shown to guests at the time of booking;
• impose fines or other penalties on guests. For damage caused by a guest, Airbnb points hosts to AirCover.

The policy also sets requirements for every house rule and request. They must:

• be shown in the designated section of the listing page at the time of booking. Hosts may not add new rules or requests in other sections of the listing or after booking, including by message, signs in the home or in person;
• be consistent with the rest of the listing page;
• comply with Airbnb's policies and Terms of Service. For example, hosts may not ask guests to sign separate contracts, or ask for personal information such as a government ID, except where required by law and in other limited circumstances.

What you can still ask

The article does not list permitted tasks. What it does say:

• hosts can still set house rules and requests, as long as they are reasonable and meet the requirements above. Guests must follow house rules, and are encouraged to comply with requests;
• requests can include information about fees for optional add-ons, such as a breakfast service;
• if a community association (such as building management or security) or the local authority might impose a fine, hosts can warn guests in the designated section of their listing;
• Airbnb judges each request in the listing's context. Its two examples of requests that may be reasonable: limiting shower time because of local drought-related water restrictions, and putting rubbish in an animal-proof bin in bear country.

If a guest doesn't follow a house rule or request, hosts can contact Airbnb for help with the next steps.

What Airbnb can do if your rules don't comply

If a house rule or request doesn't meet the requirements, Airbnb says it may take appropriate action, including:

• explaining its policies to the host;
• asking the host to update the listing page;
• issuing warnings.

If the violation persists, it may lead to:

• a notice on the listing page flagging the issue to guests;
• reduced visibility of the listing in search;
• other action under Airbnb's Terms of Service.

Exceptions

Airbnb says every home is unique. When it assesses whether a request is reasonable, it looks at the listing's context, including the type of listing or stay and any relevant local considerations, and may grant exceptions to the general guidelines on that basis.

The article does not explain how to apply for an exception, and nothing guarantees that one will be granted. If you think your listing's context justifies a rule, contact Airbnb support before 20 November, explain the context, and keep a record of the reply.

What to do before 20 November

1. Reread the house rules and checkout instructions on your listing. Remove any task that takes significant time or effort, or that a cleaner would normally do.
2. Check that every rule and request is in the designated section of the listing page, and matches the rest of the listing.
3. Check your welcome book, signs in the home and automatic messages: they must not add rules or requests that aren't on the listing.
4. Remove any fines or penalties, and any separate contract or ID request that the law doesn't require.
5. Check that every advertised amenity is accessible, and that any fee for it is included in the price shown at booking.
6. Rethink your cleaning fee if your price assumed guests would do some of these tasks. The policy itself says nothing about cleaning fees: this is your decision.
7. If your listing's context justifies a rule, ask Airbnb support for an exception.

Make your voice heard

Hosts Alliance thinks this rule penalises every host for the excesses of a few, and that it will make stays more expensive for guests. We are asking Airbnb to target real abuses, to allow a few simple tasks when they are shown before booking, and to consult hosts before changing the rules that govern their work.

A petition started by a host in the United Kingdom has already been signed by thousands of hosts. Joining Hosts Alliance is free.

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