Airbnb's New Policy Sparks Concern Among STRA Owners

Airbnb has introduced new House Rules and Requests Policy for reservations booked on or after 20 November 2026. The policy, which affects short-term rental accommodation (STRA) owners, operators, and property managers across Australia, has raised concerns among the Short Term Accommodation Association (STAAA).

The new policy imposes stricter restrictions on what hosts can reasonably request from guests during their stay and before departure. For instance, it prohibits hosts from requiring guests to wash and put away dishes, a longstanding expectation in many Australian self-catering holiday homes. Additionally, the policy restricts how hosts can communicate new requirements, forbidding the introduction of new house rules or requests through messages, signs inside properties, verbally, or in other sections of their listings after booking.

STAAA, representing the interests of STRA owners, operators, and property managers, is voicing serious concerns. The association believes that independent Australian accommodation businesses should not be forced to abandon reasonable, established operating procedures to accommodate the commercial preferences of an international booking platform.

The policy change is particularly contentious because it focuses narrowly on dishes and rubbish, while overlooking broader issues of hygiene, cleanliness, and accountability. STRA owners and operators regularly encounter situations where guests leave behind significant mess, including food ground into furniture, excessive rubbish, pet waste, and other damages. STAAA points to photographic examples of STRA properties left in unacceptable conditions.

The new policy also restricts the communication of essential property-specific instructions. For instance, an accommodation owner should not need to seek permission from Airbnb to instruct guests not to leave farm gates open, which could allow livestock to escape. Similarly, pet-friendly accommodations must be able to establish conditions such as pets not being permitted on beds or lounges, and guests cleaning up after their pets.

STAAA emphasizes that these conditions are reasonable expectations and should not be controversial. The policy acknowledges that individual properties may have unique circumstances and that exceptions may be considered. However, the association questions whether an international booking platform should have the final say on what constitutes a reasonable operating requirement for local independent Australian accommodation businesses.

The policy change comes in the context of broader discussions about STRA regulations. The Short Stay Levy Bill 2025 and its associated Discussion Paper are currently open for public consultation until 5:00 PM on Wednesday, 25 February. This bill aims to address issues related to STRA, including the need for meaningful consultation with property managers before introducing further restrictions.

In summary, the new Airbnb policy has sparked significant debate among STRA owners, operators, and property managers, who argue that it imposes unreasonable restrictions and fails to recognize the diversity of the Australian STRA industry.