Airbnb Announces New Rules That Limit Checkout Chores: What NJ Travelers Need To Know

New Jerseyans booking an Airbnb for a getaway may soon have fewer chores standing between them and checkout.

For reservations booked on or after Nov. 20, hosts generally won’t be allowed to ask guests to strip beds, wash and put away dishes or take trash off the property.

The vacation rental platform’s new policy limits requests for chores that take substantial time or effort or would typically be handled by cleaning staff.

Hosts also won’t be able to spring new rules on guests after they book. All house rules and requests must appear in the designated section of the listing beforehand, rather than arriving later in a message or on a sign inside the rental.

The policy generally bars hosts from imposing fines or limiting access to amenities advertised in the listing. Any charges for those features must be included in the price guests see when booking.

Some exceptions may apply. A host in bear country, for example, could reasonably ask guests to put trash in an animal-proof container. Local drought restrictions could justify a request to keep showers short.

Guests still must follow house rules and are encouraged to honor reasonable requests.

Hosts who don’t follow the policy could receive warnings or be told to update their listings. Continued violations could bring a notice flagging the issue to prospective guests, less visibility in search results or other enforcement action.

New Jersey is home to some beautiful residences listed on the site that are highly rated. Some of these homes are booked months in advance, especially those close to New York and other attractions in the state.

Here is a look at some popular and interesting Airbnbs in New Jersey that will be impacted by the new rules:

• This home in Princeton is just 10 minutes from Princeton University. It describes itself as a private and luxurious historic home sitting “on three beautifully landscaped acres along the picturesque D&R Canal, bordering a peaceful nature preserve.” It has a 4.9 rating on the site.
• This luxury apartment in Newark has a 4.9 rating and is a four-minute walk to NJ Penn Station (train to NYC in under 30 minutes) and the Prudential Center. It is also close to MetLife Stadium, Nickelodeon Theme Park, Turtleback Zoo, and NJPAC.
• Located in Frenchtown, this guesthouse exudes an old-world charm, according to guests. It has been called “enchanting, charming, warm” with a “storybook” like quality and feel to it. Frenchtown is a picturesque riverfront borough known for its Victorian architecture, vibrant arts community, shopping, and scenic Delaware River setting. The home has a rating of 4.9.
• Bannerman Cottage, a 400-square-foot rental, sits next to a pond on Stone Manor Farm, a 22-acre family-run Christmas tree farm in Hopewell. The cottage is about 3 miles from Lambertville and New Hope, Pennsylvania, according to the listing. The listing points guests to the area’s theater, historic sites, shops, restaurants and antique stores. The farm also connects to the Mercer County trail system. The cottage, with a 4.9 rating, is available from April 1 through the week before Thanksgiving.
• The Federal Twist House, in Stockton, a five-bedroom farmhouse built around 1810 and fully renovated in 2017, sits on 77 private acres just minutes from the Delaware River towpath and New Hope, Pennsylvania. It has a perfect 5-star rating, and highlights include a gourmet kitchen, a fireside dining table that seats 12, a game room and a patio overlooking the lawn and pond.