- Airbnb announced more than 50 new updates to its platform.
- Checkout instructions will now be viewable on the platform before you look.
Checking out of an Airbnb isn't always easy, with some hosts asking guests to do unexpected tasks like running the dishwasher, washing loads of laundry, and even mowing the lawn.
But that's about to change.
From now on all checkout instructions will be available on a listing's page ahead of booking, Brian Chesky, the CEO of Airbnb, announced on Twitter. Users will also be able to provide ratings on checkout tasks, and if a listing receives enough negative feedback, it will be removed, he said.
Excessive chores have been a point of contention for guests, with some taking to Reddit to vent about tasks that go beyond standard expectations and are sometimes required in addition to cleaning fees of up to $375.
Hosts themselves seem split on how to handle chore lists. One host, for example, has changed her approach and no longer requests any tasks from visitors upon checkout. Instead, she charges an extra cleaning fee in the event that a rental has been left in a state that would require extra work for cleaners.
Another host, who runs a 4,000 square-foot property in Oregon, couples cleaning fees with two specific tasks for guests: bagging and taking out the trash, and placing used linens on the floor of of the bathroom.
The new policy is one of 53 new features and upgrades that aim to improve the user experience, Chesky said.
Other new features include "Airbnb Rooms," which makes it easier for guests to stay with locals in spare rooms, and an interface that helps visitors find and book longer stays. Longer stays will also have reduced fees after the three-month mark, and users can pay for these rooms through their bank accounts to avoid credit card fees.