Guests may soon be able to leave the dishes in the sink without worrying about a checkout penalty. But does that mean Airbnb hosts must do all the cleaning themselves?
Airbnb has announced a significant change to its house rules that will affect how hosts manage their short-term rental properties. From 20 November 2026, reservations booked on the platform will be subject to updated rules restricting the cleaning tasks hosts may require guests to complete before departure.
The change addresses a common complaint from travellers: being charged a cleaning fee while also being expected to strip beds, wash dishes, do laundry or take out the rubbish before checking out.
What is changing?
Under Airbnb’s revised policy, hosts may no longer require guests to perform checkout chores that involve significant time or effort or would ordinarily be performed by a cleaner.
This means hosts generally cannot insist that guests:
- Strip beds and remove linen.
- Wash and put away dishes.
- Do laundry or undertake other substantial cleaning.
- Take rubbish away as part of an unreasonable checkout routine.
Hosts can still make reasonable requests, such as placing used dishes in the sink, gathering used towels or putting rubbish into designated bins. Guests must also continue to respect house rules, observe checkout times and leave the accommodation in a reasonable condition.
Importantly, this does not mean guests can deliberately leave a property filthy or escape responsibility for damage caused during their stay.
Does this apply in South Africa?
Yes, for bookings covered by Airbnb’s platform rules. The policy change is an Airbnb requirement rather than a new South African statute. South African hosts using the platform should therefore review their checkout instructions and cleaning arrangements before the new rules take effect.
However, there is an important legal distinction. The policy does not establish a universal rule that all tenants or holidaymakers in South Africa are exempt from cleaning obligations. A conventional residential lease, a separate accommodation agreement and an Airbnb reservation are different arrangements, and their applicable terms and legal requirements may differ.
South Africa also has its own developing framework for short-term rentals. In March 2026, the Department of Tourism invited public comment on a Draft Code of Good Practice for Short-Term Rentals. The draft sought to provide guidance for hosts, guests and booking platforms, while recognising the role of municipalities in matters such as land use and zoning. The proposed code should not be confused with Airbnb’s separate platform policy.
Property owners should consequently consider both the rules of the booking platform they use and the laws, municipal requirements, lease provisions or scheme rules applicable to their particular property.
What does this mean for property owners and hosts?
The new rules may require hosts to rethink their cleaning arrangements, particularly where they manage properties themselves or rely on short turnaround times between bookings.
A cleaning fee is not necessarily prohibited. However, Airbnb’s policy distinguishes between ordinary cleaning between reservations and additional cleaning required because a guest has left the property in an excessively dirty condition. Hosts should not rely on penalties for failing to complete prohibited checkout chores as a substitute for appropriate cleaning arrangements.
Hosts should consider the following practical steps:
1. Review your listing and house rules. Remove checkout instructions that require substantial cleaning and ensure that all permitted requests are communicated clearly through the platform.
2. Reassess your cleaning costs. Make sure your pricing reflects the actual cost of preparing the accommodation for the next guest, including laundry, cleaning and replenishing supplies.
3. Document damage and excessive mess. Take dated photographs and keep relevant records if a guest causes damage or leaves the property requiring cleaning beyond the normal turnover process.
4. Check your other obligations. If you operate a sectional-title property, rent out a property you do not own or manage accommodation under a separate agreement, review the relevant scheme rules, lease terms and applicable local requirements.
A new balance between guest convenience and property protection
Airbnb’s change reflects an attempt to make checkout expectations more consistent and transparent. For hosts, it reinforces the importance of building realistic cleaning costs into their business model rather than relying on guests to undertake the work themselves.
For South African property owners, the broader lesson is that short-term letting involves more than simply making a property available online. Understanding platform policies, contractual obligations and local regulatory requirements is essential to managing a property responsibly.
Before changing your checkout rules or accommodation agreement, make sure you understand which requirements arise from Airbnb’s policies and which arise from South African law. They are not necessarily the same.
Disclaimer: This article is intended for general information and does not constitute legal advice. Airbnb’s policies and South African regulatory requirements may change. Property owners should consult the current rules applicable to their circumstances.