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Good news for Airbnb guests. Less good news for Airbnb hosts. Great news for cleaning companies.
Airbnb is ‘simplifying’ its house rules following complaints from guests about onerous checkout conditions – some of which almost amount to chores.
Exactly what you’re trying to avoid on holiday!
The rule changes were recently put into effect and the timing couldn't be more perfect for the upcoming festive season rush. With South Africa a holidaymaker hotspot, the updates are likely to affect a number of local Airbnb hosts – so whether you’re booking a beachfront apartment or renting out your spare room, take note.
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Think like a guest
Airbnb has seven standard rules for guests covering the number of people staying at a property, pets, smoking, quiet hours, parties or events, commercial photography, and locking up at checkout.
Hosts can still add their own requests through the app, but Airbnb says this should be the exception rather than the rule.
In the ‘rare instance’ that hosts have additional requests, they can add them on the app – which will flag requests considered unreasonable under Airbnb’s updated house rules policy.
The platform’s advice to hosts? ‘Remember to think like a guest, and keep in mind what you’d find unreasonable’.
In other words, if you wouldn’t want to spend your last morning in Umhlanga scrubbing a stovetop before racing to catch a flight, perhaps don’t ask your guests to do it either.
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What Airbnb hosts can – and can’t – ask you to do
Here’s how the updated rules affect some of those familiar checkout demands.
1. Dishes
The holiday rental equivalent of being told to clean your room: washing up. Guests shouldn’t be asked to wash and put away dishes, although hosts can ask them to put dirty dishes in the sink. Fair enough – you can put away those kitchen gloves.
2. Laundry
Strip the beds, start a load, find the detergent? Not so fast. Guests don't need to strip beds and start laundry, but they can be asked to gather used towels in one place.
3. Rubbish
You’re checking out, not embarking on a municipal waste-management mission. Guests shouldn’t be asked to take rubbish off-site, although hosts can ask them to separate rubbish and recycling in designated indoor bins.
4. Utilities
Durban in December can be seriously hot, so this one matters. Hosts shouldn’t ask guests to avoid using an advertised amenity such as air conditioning. They can, however, ask guests to switch it off when they leave.
Airbnb’s message to hosts is clear: ‘When adding a request, remember that most guests want to avoid unexpected chores’.
Watch Airbnb’s explainer HERE.
More holiday, less housework
For visitors, the changes could mean a more relaxed end to their stay this festive season. Make sure you book early. And leave the cleaning products at home!
READ: Where to stay in Durban
READ: Where to stay in Cape Town
READ: Where to stay in Johannesburg
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