Airbnb is implementing some big changes to what is and isn’t allowed in your house rules. From checkout requirements to clearer disclosure requirements, this blog post explains everything you need to know and prepare for by the November 20, 2026 deadline.
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What’s changing?
Airbnb recently announced some changes to their requirements around house rules. We’ll break these down further, but here are the changes at a glance;
- A new house rules editor: Now, hosts can choose from seven standard house rules. They will no longer appear in a separate check-out tab.
- Updated checkout expectations: You can’t ask guests to do things at check-out that should be reserved for cleaners (that’s the whole point of a cleaning fee).
- Contracts: Contracts are only allowed in very specific circumstances. Examples of when contracts would be allowed include HOA requirements, monthly stays, and use of optional amenities like golf carts.
- House rules are now easier to see: Your house rules are now more prominently displayed, making it easier for guests to see them before booking.
The 7 standard house rules
So what exactly are the seven house rules you are allowed to put up as a host? Let’s take a look:
- Maximum guests: The total number of people who are allowed to spend the night at your property.
- Events: Do you allow events at your property? Remember, there is a global party ban on Airbnb.
- Quiet hours: Specific times of the day and evening where you ask guests to be particularly quiet and mindful of neighbors.
- Pets: What pets are allowed, if any, and how many.
- Smoking: Specify whether or not smoking is allowed. If it is, share where smoking is allowed. This applies to vaping and e-cigarettes as well.
- Commercial photography: Whether or not you allow a guest to rent out your property for the purpose of professional photo and video activities.
- Lock up at checkout: Add if this is necessary and how to return any keys (although a smart lock makes this easier with no need for key exchanges!)
Which checkout chores can you still ask guests to do?
Airbnb has made some major changes in regard to what you can and can’t ask a guest to do upon check-out. That said, there are still some smaller, more reasonable tasks you can request of your guests.
| Yes | Generally not allowed |
| Put your dirty dishes in the sink | Wash the dishes or put them in the dishwasher and start it |
| Gather any towels you used and put them in a pile | Strip the beds and start a load of laundry |
| Place your trash in garbage bins or recycling bins | Take the trash outside |
| Turn off the air conditioning when you leave | Tell guests they can’t use certain amenities that you already advertised (like the air conditioning) |
These changes happened because some hosts were taking advantage of their guests. Many guests were becoming frustrated with paying a cleaning fee and then still having to complete cleaner-like tasks. The goal of these changes is to limit the work guests have to do and restore some good faith between guests and hosts. If there is any issue with one of your requests, Airbnb will underline it and make a suggestion on how to update the request.
How to get your property ready for November 20, 2026
- Review all of your current house rules and checkout instructions.
- Choose from the seven list rules in the Listing editor.
- Take a look at your cleaning chores, and remove or rewrite any that no longer meet the standards.
- If you have any contracts, review them and make sure they meet the updated Airbnb requirements.
- Update your automated messages. Pay particular attention to your check-in and check-out instructions, as well as your welcome guide. You want your messaging to be consistent across the board.
Final thoughts
November 20, 2026 will be here before we know it. Start reviewing these changes today so that you have time to prepare and adjust as needed. Remember, the goal of these changes is to provide a better experience for guests and ultimately help hosts continually deliver 5-star experiences and keep their calendars full. Further, don’t forget to update your automated communications with guests in your Host Tools account.
Host Tools provides an automated, unified calendar for short-term rental hosts, allowing you to seamlessly list on all major channels. Start your free trial today!
