Airbnb bans hosts from asking guests to do chores like washing dishes

Airbnb, the online lodging marketplace, just banned hosts worldwide from forcing guests to do chores like washing dishes, stripping beds, and taking out rubbish. The new rules apply to all bookings made from 20 November, according to the BBC. Lisa Clewes, who runs a holiday let in Wales, returned to find broken glasses, drinks cans, and fish guts in her garden after a dinner party.

"It was really unbelievable," she says, adding that she charges a cleaning fee covering 75% of cleaner costs. On the other side, Jessica Newhook, who stayed at a Florida property with 11 family members, paid a $250 cleaning fee and still had to wash towels, clean bedding, and mop floors.

"We had rules about everything and it was not relaxing at all," she says. Krissi Foskett, who runs a national cleaning company in Glasgow, paid a £35 cleaning fee in Stafford and still had to strip beds and carry rubbish down a track.

Anthony Marsh, who co-owns a cabin retreat in North Yorkshire, cut his listings on Airbnb from five to two because of the changes. "Airbnb has effectively given guests permission to come and leave properties a tip," he says. Data from AirROI shows that 63.2% of listings charge a cleaning fee, with an average cost of £55.

Laura Lewis, who runs a directory for holiday-let owners, says most of her clients are unhappy with the shift. For your next trip, expect fewer checkout lists.