New Airbnb rules

I've found the ones on other platforms are usually more professionally managed especially on the main UK websites such as cottages.com etc. So if I saw one on AirBNB that I'd also seen on a more reputable platform, I'd be more inclined to book there, but would probably book via the other platform. Anything that only appears on Air BNB I'd not touch with a bargepole unless I was really desperate as it's a bit "Wild West" on there with far too many chancers/amateurs.

Which is fine if they are clearly shown on the listing. What really IS annoying is only finding out about insane cleaning/departure rules once you're already in the place. They should be clearly laid out and visible BEFORE you book, so you can make an informed decision of whether to book or not.

I dont think the rule against having to strip the bed, or put wash on is unreasonable but who on earth doesn't clean the dishes they have used. Grim

Airbnb is just a platform. The same property will often be on others such as booking com or sakes.

That's great, because there are countries where they have a skip in the area for everybody, and driving around in the heat with stinky bags of rubbish isn't a holiday.

We always have left air bnbs immaculate, and as found it pretty much, dishwasher dishes put away, bins emptied, stripped beds and bagged bedding (left on ends of beds), bagged towels (whites and pool ones separate) swept floors, and quick wipe of surfaces.
I am finding it too much, but they make me feel guilty with the whole "someone's home leave as you find it" stuff. It makes a alot scared of bad reviews too on Airbnb site. I like the rule change.

People will just move away from air b&b to other booking sites if they don't feel it's worth it to them.

I've never booked through air b&b personally but all holiday let's I've been to have those things as rules and it's one of the reasons I don't like going to self catering places. I don't want to do stuff like that on holiday.

I think it is absolutely acceptable to do the washing up and empty the bins before you leave. I've always done this, and always will. You do it throughout the weekend/week that you're staying there, so why would you not do it on the last morning too?

I'm a former Airbnb host. I never had any of the rules about stripping beds etc, only request was for guests to sort out recycling and food waste as the local council is draconian. I took the view that the cleaning fee covered all reasonable post stay tasks. Reasonableness is the key.
The vast majority of guests were considerate and would wash up or run the dishwasher and leave the place ready for cleaning, Occasionally one would leave a real mess or cause damage but they were very much the exception.
I suspect that there will be a reduction in hosts allowing instant booking and will now check reviews more carefully before accepting bookings. So people who use this rule change to leave places in a poor state will find it harder to make further bookings.

I’m usually put off by air BnB as most don’t have dishwashers and I don’t go on holiday to hand wash dishes and be judged on it.

I've used Airbnb loads and have never been asked to strip the bed or put a load of washing on.
It's fairly standard IME to be asked to take out the rubbish. I've no problem with doing so. I also have no problem with not leaving dirty dishes behind.
The ones I stay in at least certainly don't charge the same as hotels, so I don't treat them the same way.
For me and DP they're a handy cheaper option for holidays, and we both prefer having a whole place with a kitchen so we can at least make coffee and the odd snack if needed, and keep a few things in the fridge. We both find being stuck in one hotel room quite depressing and hotels are almost always soulless.
I personally will carry on doing the things I always do when I leave, which I think are totally reasonable.

I was wondering the same but I think this is quite common. I advertised on both and maybe got 1 booking per year through AirBnB and all of my bookings coming from booking.com for the exact same apartment at the exact same price (in fact, I believe we advertised it for slightly more on booking to cover additional platform fees). Seems like a PR problem more than anything.

Totally agree - I’m gently pretty fussy about hotels, but if we’re doing one or two nights in a city and don’t want to spend a lot of time in the room Premier Inn is great.

Far better than mid range brands like Leonardo, Thistle or Clayton

I’ve never stayed for this reason so might consider it now

Washing dishes is not cleaning.
Most people will do this boy you can bet you life there will be some lazy ar$es who use and leave every cup and plate dirty in the sink

So many comments from people proudly proclaiming they've never stayed in an Airbnb. Congratulations???

You've obviously got no bloody idea what they're like then. Each property and owner is different. I've stayed in probably 50+ Airbnb (or similar) properties over the past 6/7 years and can only remember two bad experiences. One was a horrible place in a developing country which was booked by someone else (and would not have gone there if I'd had anything to do with booking). The other was an issue before we got there and just had to arrange a different place to stay (got money back on the other place).

I've also stayed in various hotels and had far more notable issues.

It's fine if an Airbnb isn't your thing, but you're not superior or more smarter somehow for that. And if you've never even stayed in one, or never desire to then it won't effect you anyway.

Anyway. I haven't seen the actual rules, just a few clips that came up on Instagram and it would seem like these are designed to stop hosts putting too much on guests which is good (not an issue I've experienced really). Like you can still request they empty their rubbish, just not that they have to take it home.

Me and DH have stayed in lots of Airbnb's (over 50) both in the UK and abroad - France, Belgium, Holland, Sweden and have never cleaned the house!

Of course we leave it clean and tidy as, I would hope, anyone with any decency would although have been a holiday home cleaner and a hotel room cleaner I know plenty of people are disgusting.

For us we like the fact that we can have a whole flat or even a house rather than just a hotel room. We can have a comfy sofa (or even 2) rather than having to sit on the bed in the hotel to watch tv which we both absolutely hate. We like having a kitchen and that, if we want to, we can cook for ourselves rather than having to eat out. If, for any reason, we want to just chill for a bit and read, watch tv or whatever we don't have to do it in a cramped hotel room

Whenever we have stayed in a hotel, whether a budget one or a much more expensive one, there has always been noise late at night/early morning. I am a very light sleeper and it drives me mad. People talking at the tops of their voices, slamming doors, having very noisy sex etc etc. We have never had any noise problems at any of the Airbnb's.

We have stayed in some really lovely places and almost all of them have been cheaper than a budget hotel

Husband prefers and AirBnB but I prefer a hotel, him because he doesn't like paying for additional rooms for our kids. We mostly did camping when they were small so actual walls and beds are an upgrade but I still prefer a hotel!

Last AirBnB we stayed in had a 10am leave time and expected us to have stripped all the beds and washed and put away crockery so dishwasher had to go on long enough to complete its cycle in time to empty it before leaving. Bathroom was supposed to be left clean and dry. I wouldn't leave with mess on the kitchen surfaces but having to get up early so that I can perform a deep clean on the last morning of my holiday is a big no thank you from me!

I suspect there were a lot of hosts that required you to do all the cleaning so they didn't have to do anything apart from new bedding on before the next people come in, and pocketed any cleaning fees. And so some places get grubbier and grubbier because guests just don't deep clean.

That's interesting @Wishfulthinking1977 Do you think if the area had a different mix of places to stay (like some aparthotels) it would help balance the jobs market? Some people might prefer to work based in one building rather than move from house to house.

The rules are set by the owner

Great, I don’t mind putting out rubbish and recycling but stripping beds is a step too far. I’d be happier still if they changed back to pre Covid check in and check out times instead of the many who still have check in after 5pm and check out before 10am. This was to allow ‘extra cleaning time’ - what’s the reason now?
Crazy timings.

A lot of sc accommodation is on several platforms

same, i'd rather book a hotel.

If a minority of guests leave a place in an awful state, then the owners/AirBNB need to find new ways of surcharging those and those alone. It's unfair to charge everyone more or expect all guests to thoroughly clean the place, just because of a minority of neanderthals. It used to be quite common for a damage/excess cleaning deposit to be charged up front and then refunded afterwards if there was no damage/excess cleaning. Perhaps we need to bring back such deposits to get the neanderthal guests to either behave themselves or pay for the costs of their laziness.

You have a private living room where you can sit when children are asleep and a kitchen where you can prepare any special food you need. Easier than a hotel for families.

I usually wash up and empty bins, but strip the beds and put the laundry on? I would only do this if i was staying at a friend's second home at mates' rates or free. This is an excellent ruling, as it makes it clear what should be expected.