r/technology • u/MarvelsGrantMan136 • 7h ago

Society New Airbnb rules ban hosts from making guests wash dishes, do laundry & other checkout chores

https://www.dexerto.com/entertainment/new-airbnb-rules-ban-hosts-from-making-guests-wash-dishes-do-laundry-other-checkout-chores-3420832/
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u/The_Hoopla 5h ago

Exactly. I haven't booked an AirBnB in years because it started getting fucking egregious. I had a host with rules about washing my own sheets.

What? That would be all well and good, I guess, if the cost of an AirBnB was significantly cheaper than a hotel. I'll wash my own sheets if it's $40/night.

$150-$200/night? Brother there better be a mint on my pillow when I get back.

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u/Jackski 4h ago

Yeah I used to use it a lot when it first started as it was handy as fuck. Usually cheaper than a hotel and in better locations closer to where I needed to be.

Now a hotel is cheaper and I'm not expected to wash the sheets and I don't risk being charged extra because I accidentally left a empty bottle on the table when I left.

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u/Clear_Broccoli3 4h ago

Airbnb has also tried to charge me or my friends for broken shit that was broken when we checked in. One time the lady was there to receive us, and she opened the door and walked us into the place and closed the door behind her when she left, and when we went out later in the day we realized the door handle was loose and the key jammed. When we reported it she tried to blame it on us.

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u/Sirsalley23 2h ago

Same here, it was over a crack in a hot tub liner. Which I don’t blame the owner for pursuing it, but if the cleaning team isn’t properly and extensively documenting the condition of everything between stays, then IMO you don’t have a leg to stand on to claim damages from a guest unless it’s something obvious like a window/door.

Or crazy idea, keep track of the conditioning of your own rental, and don’t just make claims when you’ve got no proof, it’s like a rental car, there should be a walk around and video/photo proof taken of the condition before/after with both parties present.

The owner actually had no proof of any timeline for the damages. So they just dropped the claim after we told them to pound sand, and prove the condition before and after our stay. My buddy that rented it was full ready to let them just lock his account and never use it again anyway.

And btw Air BnB needs to do something about people rigging cameras all over too. Got into a massive fight with an owner for unplugging interior cameras. Don’t rent your shit if you don’t expect for some potential losses or weird shit to occur.

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u/scarletwitchmoon 2h ago

In the rare event I stay in an Airbnb, I've started taking photos when I arrive/leave for this very reason.

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u/FourthLvlSpicyMeme 4h ago

Yeah same. It used to be better for me for travelling because instead of all of us paying like 5-8k for a resort stay and trying to get our rooms somewhat close to each other, was very silly when we could simply rent an Air BNB or VRBO where we were, often a beachfront or very close location.

It used to be a significant money and headache saver, now it's neither. Though maybe these new rules will make it a bit more normal, my expectation is the hosts will just triple the prices cuz they're pissy about this.

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u/pimppapy 3h ago

my expectation is the hosts will just triple the prices cuz they're pissy about this.

And if there are fools parting with their money for these new prices. . . then shit will stay the same, just everything got pricier instead.

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u/Clear_Broccoli3 4h ago

Same, I started booking hotels again a few years ago and was floored by how pleasant the experience was. I even got an upgraded room once I think cuz it was a dead season and I was nice to the night staff when I checked in. A couple places had a free "pick you up from the airport" service so I didn't have to deal with a car share or a taxi. And they were all cheaper than the available airbnb were.

I think the only time an airbnb is worth it is if 1) you NEED to be close to a specific location and there's no hotels in the area, or 2) you're going with a big group of people.

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u/PMmeyourmacncheese 3h ago

Agreed - I prefer hotels if it’s just me and my partner. But when we travel with two kiddos and my parents, airbnb is more convenient, especially having a kitchen.

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u/Francesami 2h ago

Even when I visit somewhere with a large group, I NEED a place to get away by myself and recharge my people battery. Being around the whole group 24 hours a day would totally exhaust me.

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u/Somanylyingliars 1h ago

Have been traveling a bit and staying at hotels. So mad that private equity making their way to this sector too. My favorite, Extended Stay, was bought out. Service has gone down the drain. Hotels look like shit. Roach infestations, safety system alarms going off all time because not service. They've eliminated in just 4 shorts years: shuttles to hotels, porters that would help w luggage/ bags, daily room service, pools, full breakfast, things like razors, caps eliminated while controls set for basics like soap and toilet paper. They even LIE in their reservation system telling you they still have x.y, z. You only find out when youre at location stick like chick. Sucks they're now in toilet. Avoid them like plague.

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u/Tuxhorn 4h ago

Just came home from Japan. First time staying in hotels since I was a kid. Oh my god what do you mean I just hand my room key over when I check out and all I have to do is... not forget my own stuff.

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u/scarletwitchmoon 2h ago

Also, I bet Japan has fantastic hotel service. I can only dream. I can't wait to visit someday.

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u/avitus 2h ago

I've stayed in Airbnb's in Tokyo many times over the last 8 years or so. They are all regulated and have to operate as hotels, minus some niceties that hotels provide with front desk service. You won't get hit with the weird shit you see elsewhere. The benefit is that you often can stay in some really interesting parts of town.

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u/ladyhaly 4h ago

Same. They lost me when the rules started getting ridiculous with the price not justifying it. The host would often be rude and have no concept of professional boundaries.

I had a host interrogate me bec I had two work friends visit during lunchtime to say goodbye and help me pack for flying. The host knew I and my partner were moving countries and flying the next day. Would not have been a problem if I just booked a hotel... Or even a motel. I paid hotel rate for the damn place.

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u/adwarakanath 4h ago

I have never used Airbnb. Ever. Or any streaming subscription service. Since the beginning they smelled off to me. Vindication, years later, not just Airbnb.

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u/pimppapy 3h ago

A non-refundable cleaning fee too, on top of the nightly rates no less.

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u/Higher-Frequencies 1h ago

Make sure you tack on an extra chore day to your vacation!