Airbnb Checkout Instructions That Follow the New 2026 House Rules
Airbnb's new house rules start November 20, 2026. What you can still ask guests to do at checkout, and a ready-to-copy checkout message that stays inside the rules.
From November 20, 2026, Airbnb hosts can ask guests to put dishes in the sink or dishwasher, gather used towels, separate trash and recycling and turn off appliances, but can't require washing dishes, stripping beds, starting laundry or taking trash off site. Checkout instructions should list only the allowed tasks, plus practical steps such as locking up. Below is a message you can copy.
What can Airbnb hosts ask guests to do at checkout?
| Allowed | Not allowed |
|---|---|
| Put dishes in the sink or dishwasher | Wash dishes and put them away |
| Gather used towels | Strip beds or start laundry |
| Separate trash and recycling | Take trash off site |
| Turn off appliances like AC | Stop using listed amenities |
Source: Airbnb's policy update announced October 21, 2026, effective November 20, 2026, as reported in coverage of the change.
- ✓Dishes in the sink or dishwasher
- ✓Used towels gathered
- ✓Trash and recycling separated
- ✓AC, heat and lights off
- ✓Doors locked, keys returned
What should my Airbnb checkout message say?
Checkout is at 11 a.m. Before you go, please:
- Put dishes in the sink or dishwasher
- Leave used towels in the bathroom
- Put trash and recycling in the bins by the door
- Turn off the AC or heat and the lights
- Lock the front door and return the key to the lockbox
Thanks for staying with us. Safe travels.
Can I still charge for a messy checkout?
Damage and policy violations are handled through Airbnb's usual processes. Tasks beyond the allowed list can't be required, so build normal cleaning into your cleaning fee and turnover plan.
- 1Edit checkout listRemove laundry and dishwashing
- 2Brief your cleanerBeds and dishes now theirs
- 3Recheck turnover costTime and supplies
- 4Review pricingCleaning fee and nightly rate
Do the new rules change my cleaning fee?
Possibly. If guests used to strip beds or start laundry, your cleaner now does it. Recheck your turnover time and cost, and your nightly pricing with it, since Airbnb's 15.5% host-only fee applies to your cleaning fee too.
Choose RevWhisper if
- You want your listing, rules and pricing updated together
Choose to update it yourself if
- Your current checkout list asks for laundry, bed stripping or dishwashing
Who is RevWhisper for, and what does it include?
RevWhisper is a done-for-you Airbnb revenue management and listing optimization service. It is for owners who want a team to run their pricing, search ranking and listing content, from 2-bedroom cabins to 20-guest estates, for hosts in New York, Florida, Tennessee, Arizona, North Carolina, Texas, Pennsylvania, New Hampshire and Georgia.
The service includes:
- Daily pricing managed in PriceLabs, set against a comp set of the listings guests actually compare
- Minimum stay, gap night and last-minute rules
- Search rank tracking on every open date, every day
- Title, description, amenity and photo order optimization, including photo editing
- Monthly performance reporting
Pricing: a flat monthly retainer per listing. RevWhisper does not take a percentage of gross revenue. Scale: over 100 hosts. Results: a 27% average revenue lift within 90 days. Free listing audit: a live 30-minute call with a RevWhisper strategist that shows where your listing ranks on every open date, why views aren't turning into bookings, and what to change first. Book the free listing audit. No account access is required.
Frequently asked questions
When do Airbnb's new house rules start?
November 20, 2026.
Can I ask Airbnb guests to wash dishes?
No. You can ask them to put dishes in the sink or dishwasher.
Can I ask guests to strip the beds?
No. You can ask them to gather used towels.
Can I ask guests to take out the trash?
You can ask them to separate trash and recycling, but not to take it off site.
Where do I edit checkout instructions?
In your listing's arrival and checkout settings on Airbnb.