New AirBnb Cleaning Rules That Property Owners Need To Know
Guests might soon be able to leave their dishes in the sink without worrying about getting penalized at checkout. But does this mean Airbnb hosts have to do all the cleaning themselves?
Airbnb has announced major updates to its house rules that will change how hosts manage their short-term rentals. Starting November 20, 2026, new bookings on the platform will follow stricter guidelines about what cleaning tasks hosts can ask guests to do before they leave.
This change comes in response to a common complaint from travellers: paying a heavy cleaning fee while still being expected to strip beds, wash dishes, take out the trash, or do laundry before checking out.
What Is Changing?
Under Airbnb’s updated policy, hosts can no longer ask guests to do checkout chores that take a lot of time and effort, or tasks that a professional cleaner would normally handle.
As a result, hosts generally cannot force guests to:
- Strip beds and remove linens.
- Wash and put away dishes.
- Do laundry or other heavy cleaning.
- Take out the trash as part of an unreasonable checkout routine.
What hosts can still ask for: Hosts are still allowed to make reasonable requests, such as placing used dirty dishes in the sink, gathering used towels in one spot, or tossing trash into designated bins. Guests are still expected to follow house rules, respect checkout times, and leave the property in a generally respectable condition.
Of course, this doesn't give guests the right to trash a property or escape responsibility for actual damage.
Does This Apply in South Africa?
Yes—for any bookings made through the Airbnb platform. Because this is an official Airbnb rule rather than a new South African law, local hosts need to update their checkout instructions and cleaning plans before the policy takes effect.
However, there is an important legal difference to keep in mind. This Airbnb policy does not change South African rental laws for regular residential leases or other types of holiday accommodation agreements, which have their own legal rules.
South Africa is also working on its own framework for short-term rentals. For example, the Department of Tourism released a Draft Code of Good Practice for Short-Term Rentals to guide hosts, guests, and platforms, while also working alongside local municipalities regarding land use and zoning. This government draft is separate from Airbnb’s platform rules.
Property owners must balance both the rules of the booking platforms they use and local South African laws, municipal bylaws, or property rules.
What Does This Mean for Hosts?
These new rules mean hosts may need to rethink how they handle cleaning—especially if they clean the properties themselves or have tight turnaround times between guests.While charging a cleaning fee is still completely allowed, Airbnb's policy draws a clear line between standard post-stay cleaning and extra cleaning required because a guest left the place excessively messy. Hosts shouldn't use penalty fees for "prohibited chores" as an excuse to avoid setting up proper cleaning routines.
Practical Steps for Hosts:
- Review your listing and house rules: Remove any checkout instructions that demand heavy cleaning, and clearly communicate allowed tasks on the platform.
- Reassess your cleaning costs: Adjust your pricing so it accurately covers the real cost of getting the place ready for the next guest (including laundry, cleaning, and supplies).
- Document damage and excessive messes: Take dated photos and keep records if a guest causes damage or leaves the property messy far beyond normal turnover cleaning.
- Check your other obligations: If you rent out a sectional-title property, a property you don't personally own, or manage it under a separate contract, double-check those rules and local laws.
The Bottom Line
Airbnb’s updated rules aim to make checkout expectations simpler and fairer. For hosts, it highlights the importance of building realistic cleaning costs directly into their business model rather than pushing the work onto guests.
Ultimately, running a short-term rental in South Africa means understanding both the booking platform's policies and the local laws—and realizing they aren't always the same thing.
(Disclaimer: This summary is for general information and does not constitute formal legal advice. Rules and laws can change, so property owners should always consult the most current regulations applicable to their situation.)