Airbnb Check-Out Instructions: What to Include + Examples
Updated 21 October 2026: This guide has been revised to reflect Airbnb’s new reasonable house rules and requests policy. The policy applies to reservations booked on or after 20 November 2026. It includes new disclosure requirements and examples relating to dishes, linen, towels, rubbish and utilities. Airbnb policies may change, so hosts should check the current Help Centre and the settings shown in their own listing.
Update: Airbnb’s house-rules policy from 20 November 2026
Policy update — 21 October 2026: Airbnb has introduced a new distinction between standard house rules and reasonable requests. The policy applies to reservations booked on or after 20 November 2026.
For those reservations, hosts must disclose all house rules and requests in the designated House rules and requests section of the Airbnb listing at the time of booking. A message, welcome book or sign can remind guests about information already disclosed, but should not introduce a new obligation after booking.
Airbnb’s examples say hosts can generally ask guests to place used dishes in the sink, gather used towels, separate rubbish and recycling into designated indoor bins, and switch off air conditioning when leaving. Guests generally should not be asked to wash and put away dishes, strip beds, start laundry or take rubbish off-site.
Read our full explanation of Airbnb’s new house rules and reasonable requests policy.
This Airbnb-specific policy does not automatically apply to direct bookings or reservations made through other platforms. Check the terms and disclosure requirements that apply to each booking channel.
Clear check-out instructions help guests understand exactly what they need to do before leaving your property.
Without them, guests may be unsure where to return keys, what to do with rubbish, whether dishes should be washed, or whether heating and windows need to be checked before departure.
Good check-out instructions should be simple, realistic and easy to follow.
They should not feel like a cleaning shift.
Whether you manage an Airbnb, holiday rental, vacation rental, serviced apartment or other short-term accommodation, the goal is the same:
Give guests a short, clear departure routine that protects the property without making the end of the stay unnecessarily stressful.
This guide explains what to include, what to avoid and how to write check-out instructions that are practical for both hosts and guests.
What Are Airbnb Check-Out Instructions?
Airbnb check-out instructions explain the essential steps a guest needs to follow before leaving a short-term rental.
They may cover:
- check-out time;
- key return or locking up;
- where to place used towels;
- where to leave used dishes;
- how to use designated indoor rubbish and recycling bins;
- windows, doors and property security;
- switching off lights, heating, air conditioning or appropriate portable appliances; and
- final contact information.
For Airbnb reservations booked on or after 20 November 2026, it is important to distinguish between:
- standard house rules, which include Airbnb’s “lock up at checkout” option; and
- reasonable requests, which can include additional instructions applying before checkout.
Guests are required to follow standard house rules and are encouraged to comply with reasonable requests. Both must be disclosed in Airbnb’s designated listing section when the guest books.
The exact instructions will depend on the property, but they should not transfer ordinary cleaner duties to the guest.
What Should Airbnb Check-Out Instructions Include?
Most properties only need a small number of clear steps.
A useful check-out checklist may cover:
1. Check-Out Time
Always state the departure time clearly.
Example
Check-out by: 10:00 am
If late check-out may be available:
If you would like to request a later departure, please contact us in advance. Late check-out depends on availability and cannot always be guaranteed.
Avoid vague wording such as:
Please leave in the morning.
Guests need a specific time.
2. Key Return
Tell guests exactly where the keys should go.
Example
Please return the key to the lockbox beside the front door and change the numbers after closing it.
Or:
Please leave both sets of keys on the entrance console before closing the door.
Or:
Return the key to reception before departure.
Do not assume guests remember the arrival process.
Check-out instructions should stand on their own.
3. Rubbish and Recycling
Keep waste instructions simple and proportionate.
Airbnb’s example of a generally acceptable request is asking guests to separate rubbish and recycling into designated indoor bins.
Example
Please place household rubbish in the kitchen bin before departure and use the labelled indoor recycling bin for recyclable items.
Do not use this article to recommend that guests take rubbish off-site. Under Airbnb’s new policy, hosts generally should not ask guests to transport waste away from the property.
An external communal bin within the property or building may involve different practical circumstances, but Airbnb’s published generally acceptable example is limited to designated indoor bins. Hosts should not assume that every trip to an outside collection point is reasonable. If disposal involves distance, difficult access, driving, complicated sorting or substantial effort, it should be handled during turnover.
Airbnb acknowledges that local circumstances may justify an exception. Its example is asking guests to use an animal-proof container in bear country. Any property-specific or local request should be necessary, reasonable and disclosed in the designated listing section before booking.
4. Used Towels and Linen
Guests usually need very little instruction here.
Airbnb gives gathering used towels as an example of a generally reasonable request.
Example
Please leave used towels together in the bathroom before departure.
Or:
Please place used towels in the laundry basket provided.
Do not ask Airbnb guests to strip beds or start a laundry load as a standard departure task. Airbnb identifies these as tasks that generally belong to the host or cleaning team.
Leaving bed linen in place can also help the cleaner inspect it before removal.
5. Dishes
This is one of the clearest changes in Airbnb’s new guidance.
Airbnb says guests generally should not be asked to wash and put away dishes. Its example of a reasonable request is asking guests to place used dishes in the sink.
Example
Please place used dishes in the kitchen sink before departure.
Do not ask guests to wash and put away dishes, load the dishwasher or start a dishwasher cycle in the standard Airbnb check-out example. Washing, unloading and resetting the kitchen should be allocated to the host or cleaning team.
Guests are still expected to leave the property in a condition that does not require excessive or deep cleaning. That general expectation is different from requiring them to perform a specific cleaner task.
6. Windows and Doors
This is particularly important for security and weather protection.
Example
Please close all windows and external doors before leaving.
If there are particular doors that matter:
Please check that the balcony door and rear entrance are fully closed before departure.
7. Heating and Air Conditioning
Keep instructions practical.
Example
Please switch off unnecessary heating or air conditioning before leaving.
If your property needs a specific setting:
Please leave the thermostat at [temperature] before departure.
Only include specific settings if they genuinely apply to your property and system.
8. Lights and Appliances
You do not need a long list.
Example
Please switch off lights and any portable appliances before leaving.
If something should remain on, do not include a blanket instruction that could create problems.
For example, never tell guests to turn off the refrigerator unless that is genuinely part of your operating process.
Simple Airbnb Check-Out Instructions Example
Here is a concise example suitable for many Airbnb homes, provided the requests were disclosed in the listing when the guest booked:
Before You Leave
Check-out by: 10:00 am
Before leaving, please:
- place used towels together in the bathroom;
- leave used dishes in the kitchen sink;
- separate rubbish and recycling into the labelled indoor bins;
- switch off unnecessary lights and air conditioning;
- close all windows;
- lock the property; and
- return the keys to the lockbox.
Thank you for staying with us. We hope you had a wonderful visit and wish you a safe journey home.
This works because the instructions are short, specific and separate from the cleaner’s turnover responsibilities.
For Airbnb reservations booked on or after 20 November 2026, the message or welcome guide should act as a reminder. The applicable rules and requests must already have appeared in Airbnb’s designated listing section at the time of booking.
Airbnb Check-Out Message Example
You may also want to send a short reminder before departure.
Example
Hi [Guest Name],
We hope you’ve enjoyed your stay at [Property Name].
Just a reminder that check-out is by 10:00 am tomorrow. Before leaving, please follow the departure requests shown in your reservation details, including locking the property and returning the keys to the lockbox.
You can also find the same information in the welcome guide.
Thank you again for staying with us, and have a safe journey home.
Best wishes,
[Host Name]
The message should remind guests about information already disclosed when they booked. It should not introduce a new rule, chore, fee or penalty.
How Long Should Check-Out Instructions Be?
Usually, shorter is better.
A guest should be able to read the entire departure checklist in less than a minute.
If your instructions contain:
- 15 cleaning tasks
- several paragraphs
- detailed appliance maintenance
- extensive recycling sorting
- laundry procedures
they are probably doing too much.
Check-out instructions should focus on what the guest genuinely needs to do before leaving.
The professional cleaning and property reset comes afterwards.
What Should Guests Not Be Asked to Do?
Guests should not normally be expected to perform work that requires significant time or effort or would ordinarily be completed by a cleaner.
Under Airbnb’s policy for reservations booked on or after 20 November 2026, hosts generally should not ask guests to:
- strip beds or remove bed linen;
- start a load of laundry;
- wash and put away dishes;
- take rubbish off-site; or
- complete other tasks normally performed by a cleaner.
Other turnover responsibilities include:
- cleaning bathrooms;
- vacuuming or mopping floors;
- changing bed linen;
- cleaning ovens;
- scrubbing showers;
- disinfecting surfaces;
- dusting furniture;
- restocking supplies;
- inspecting appliances; and
- resetting the property for the next arrival.
Airbnb separately expects guests to leave the home in a condition that does not require excessive or deep cleaning. Hosts can still ask guests to complete reasonable, previously disclosed departure requests—for example, gathering used towels or placing used dishes in the sink.
That is why a dedicated cleaning and turnover checklist is useful for hosts and cleaners, while guest check-out instructions should remain much shorter.
Should Guests Strip the Beds?
For Airbnb reservations booked on or after 20 November 2026, guests generally should not be asked to strip beds or remove sheets as a departure task. Airbnb identifies bed stripping and starting laundry as work that would normally be handled by the host or cleaner.
A reasonable alternative is:
Please leave used towels together in the bathroom.
Leave the bed linen in place unless a documented, context-specific exception has been confirmed as appropriate. Linen removal, inspection and laundry should form part of the turnover process.
For direct bookings or other platforms, check the terms applying to that channel rather than assuming Airbnb’s policy automatically applies.
Should Guests Take Out the Rubbish?
Airbnb’s generally acceptable example is asking guests to separate rubbish and recycling into designated indoor bins. Its policy says guests generally should not be asked to take rubbish off-site.
A suitable standard request is:
Please place household rubbish in the kitchen bin and use the labelled indoor recycling bin before departure.
Do not make off-site waste disposal part of a general Airbnb checkout template. Airbnb may consider the listing type, the stay and relevant local factors when assessing a request. For example, it says an animal-proof container may be reasonable in bear country.
If a property has unusual waste arrangements, consider:
- whether the task is genuinely necessary;
- how far the guest must carry or transport the rubbish;
- whether access is safe and straightforward;
- whether the instruction comes from a local or building requirement; and
- whether it has been disclosed in Airbnb’s designated listing section before booking.
Where disposal is complicated or labour-intensive, allocate it to the cleaning team.
Should Guests Wash Dishes Before Check-Out?
Airbnb’s new guidance says guests generally should not be asked to wash and put away dishes. It gives placing used dishes in the sink as a reasonable alternative.
Use:
Please place used dishes in the kitchen sink before departure.
Do not use the existing recommendation asking guests to wash dishes, load the dishwasher or begin a dishwasher cycle. Dishwashing, unloading and the final kitchen reset belong in the turnover process.
This does not remove Airbnb’s broader expectation that guests leave a home without excessive mess. It simply distinguishes that expectation from a specific cleaning chore.
Should Guests Clean Before Leaving an Airbnb?
Airbnb expects guests to leave a home in a condition that does not require excessive or deep cleaning. However, hosts should not turn departure requests into a cleaner’s task list.
Reasonable, previously disclosed requests may include asking guests to:
- place used dishes in the sink;
- gather used towels;
- separate rubbish and recycling into designated indoor bins;
- return keys;
- close windows;
- switch off appropriate lights or air conditioning; and
- secure the property.
The host or cleaning team should handle dishwashing, bed stripping, laundry, off-site rubbish removal and the full property reset.
For Airbnb bookings made from 20 November 2026, applicable requests must be disclosed in the designated listing section at the time of booking. A checkout message should only remind the guest of those requests.
Check-Out Instructions vs Cleaning Checklist
These resources serve different people and should contain different tasks.
Guest Check-Out Instructions
These provide a short reminder for the departing guest. Depending on what was disclosed at booking, they may cover:
- departure time;
- key return or locking up;
- gathering used towels;
- placing used dishes in the sink;
- separating rubbish and recycling into designated indoor bins;
- closing windows and doors;
- switching off appropriate lights or air conditioning; and
- basic property security.
Cleaning and Turnover Checklist
This is for the host, cleaner or property team. It covers:
- washing and putting away dishes;
- stripping and making beds;
- completing laundry;
- emptying and removing rubbish as required;
- cleaning each room;
- replacing linen;
- inspecting appliances;
- restocking supplies;
- checking for damage;
- testing access; and
- preparing the property for the next arrival.
The systems should support each other without transferring cleaner responsibilities to the guest.
Check-Out Instructions vs House Rules
Airbnb now distinguishes between standard house rules and additional reasonable requests.
Standard house rules cover seven core areas:
- maximum overnight guests;
- quiet hours;
- events;
- pets;
- smoking, vaping and e-cigarettes;
- commercial photography and filming; and
- locking up at checkout.
Other departure instructions can be added as reasonable requests applying Before checkout.
For example:
Standard house rule:
Lock the property at checkout and return the key to the lockbox.
Reasonable request:
Please leave used towels together in the bathroom.
Airbnb says guests must follow house rules and are encouraged to comply with requests. Both must be reasonable, consistent with the rest of the listing and disclosed in the designated House rules and requests section at the time of booking.
For the full policy change and preparation checklist, read Airbnb’s New House Rules Policy: What Hosts Should Review Before 20 November 2026.
For broader wording examples, see our guide to Airbnb house rules examples.
Where Should Check-Out Instructions Be Provided?
Guests should be able to find them easily.
Common places include:
- welcome book
- booking-platform message
- pre-departure message
- digital guest guide
- printed property sign
- guest information area
For many properties, the best approach is to give the full instructions in the welcome book and send a short reminder before departure.
If the property has only a few essential steps, a visible welcome or check-out sign may also be useful.
Where Should Check-Out Instructions Be Provided?
For Airbnb reservations booked on or after 20 November 2026, all house rules and requests must be disclosed in the designated House rules and requests section of the listing at the time of booking.
Airbnb says hosts should not introduce additional rules or requests elsewhere on the listing or after booking, including through messages, in-property signs or in-person instructions.
Once a valid rule or request has been disclosed, it can be reinforced through:
- reservation reminders;
- a short pre-departure message;
- a welcome book or digital guest guide;
- a printed checkout sign; or
- an organised guest-information area.
These materials should repeat or explain what the guest has already seen—not create new chores, charges, restrictions or penalties.
A welcome book can also contain purely practical information, such as where the key box is located or which indoor bin is used for recycling. Make sure every version remains consistent with the listing that applied when the reservation was made.
Check-Out Instructions for Self Check-In Properties
If guests arrived using a lockbox or smart lock, the departure instructions should explain what happens next.
Lockbox Example
Please return the key to the lockbox, close it securely and change the numbers after departure.
Smart Lock Example
Please close the door firmly when leaving and check that it has locked before departure. No key return is required.
Do not assume the guest knows whether an access code remains active after check-out.
Check-Out Instructions for Apartments
Apartment properties may need additional instructions around:
- shared entrances
- the location of designated indoor rubbish and recycling bins
- parking permits
- building keys
- lift access
- noise during early departures
Example
When leaving, please return the building access fob and apartment key to the lockbox. If departing early, please keep noise to a minimum in shared hallways.
If a building has external or communal waste arrangements, do not assume that taking rubbish there is automatically a reasonable guest task. Review the effort involved, any genuine building requirement and Airbnb’s current policy before adding it as a request.
Check-Out Instructions for Cottages and Rural Properties
Rural holiday rentals may need property-specific steps such as:
- closing gates
- securing outdoor areas
- wood-burner checks
- returning keys
- any necessary, previously disclosed location-specific waste guidance
- turning off outdoor equipment
Example
Please close the entrance gate after leaving and return the property key to the key safe.
Only include instructions that genuinely apply.
Airbnb may consider relevant local factors when assessing whether a request is reasonable. An exception should be based on the property’s real context, not used to turn off-site rubbish removal into a standard guest task.
Check-Out Instructions for Villas
Larger properties may need departure checks for:
- exterior doors
- windows
- pool areas
- outdoor furniture
- air conditioning
- multiple sets of keys
- security gates
The key is to keep the list focused.
If you have ten rooms, guests still should not receive a ten-room cleaning checklist.
Check-Out Instructions for Pet-Friendly Properties
Pet-friendly accommodation may need one or two additional reminders.
Example
Please dispose of pet waste from the garden before departure and check that no pet belongings have been left behind.
Keep pet-specific instructions reasonable and consistent with the policies provided before booking.
Check-Out Instructions for Families
For family-friendly properties, you may want to remind guests about provided equipment.
Example
Please leave the travel cot, high chair and children's equipment inside the property before departure.
If furniture has been moved, you can politely ask:
Please return any moved furniture to its original position where practical.
Airbnb Check-Out Checklist Example
Before finalising the instructions, check whether you have covered only what is genuinely necessary and permitted.
Essential Information
- check-out time;
- key return or lock-up procedure; and
- final contact details.
Property Security
- windows;
- doors;
- locks; and
- gates where applicable.
Reasonable Departure Requests
- used dishes placed in the sink;
- used towels gathered in the stated location;
- rubbish and recycling separated into designated indoor bins;
- appropriate lights, heating or air conditioning switched off; and
- any other reasonable, property-specific request disclosed before booking.
Property-Specific Items
- parking permit;
- lockbox;
- shared-building access;
- pet-related requests; and
- outdoor security.
Keep Out of the Guest Checklist
- washing and putting away dishes;
- loading or starting the dishwasher;
- stripping beds;
- starting laundry;
- taking rubbish off-site; and
- cleaning or resetting rooms for the next guest.
For Airbnb reservations booked on or after 20 November 2026, confirm that every rule or request appears in the designated listing section and that later reminders use consistent wording.
Common Check-Out Instruction Mistakes
Too Many Tasks
A long cleaning list makes instructions harder to follow and can transfer turnover work to the guest.
Asking Guests to Perform Cleaner Tasks
Do not ask Airbnb guests to wash and put away dishes, strip beds, start laundry or take rubbish off-site as standard departure tasks. Allocate those jobs to the host or cleaning team.
Vague Wording
“Leave the property tidy” means different things to different people. State the few reasonable actions that actually matter.
Failing to Disclose Requests Before Booking
For reservations booked on or after 20 November 2026, Airbnb requires house rules and requests to appear in the designated listing section at the time of booking.
Adding New Rules at Check-Out
A message, sign or welcome book should not introduce a task, restriction, charge or penalty that was absent when the guest booked.
Contradicting the Listing
Every reminder should match the wording and expectations attached to that reservation. Later listing changes apply to future reservations, not pending or confirmed bookings.
Overcomplicated Rubbish Instructions
Airbnb’s generally acceptable example uses designated indoor bins. If waste disposal requires significant effort, complicated sorting or travel away from the property, handle it during turnover unless a legitimate context-specific exception applies.
Forgetting Key Return or Lock-Up
This is one of the most important practical steps. Airbnb now includes “lock up at checkout” among its standard house-rule areas.
Forgetting to Update Instructions
Review the listing, messages, welcome book and signs together whenever the key system, bins, amenities or property procedures change.
How to Make Check-Out Instructions More Guest-Friendly
Clear does not mean harsh.
Compare:
YOU MUST CLEAN THE KITCHEN, STRIP THE BEDS AND TAKE ALL RUBBISH AWAY.
with:
Check-out is by 10:00 am. Before leaving, please place used dishes in the sink, leave used towels together in the bathroom and separate rubbish into the labelled indoor bins.
The second version is shorter, more professional and consistent with the types of reasonable requests Airbnb identifies. For Airbnb bookings from 20 November 2026, it should still be used only when those requests were disclosed in the designated listing section before booking.
Retain the existing principle list:
- use short sentences;
- keep the list concise;
- organise tasks in a logical order;
- say “please” where natural;
- avoid threats and capital letters; and
- separate guest tasks from cleaner tasks.
Airbnb Check-Out Instructions Template
This template can be adapted to the property. For Airbnb bookings from 20 November 2026, include only requests already disclosed in the designated listing section.
Before You Leave
Check-out by: [Time]
Before departure, please:
- [Lock the property / close specified windows and doors]
- [Return the key, fob or parking permit]
- [Place used dishes in the sink]
- [Leave used towels in the stated location]
- [Separate rubbish and recycling into designated indoor bins]
- [Switch off appropriate lights, heating or air conditioning]
Remove any line that is not necessary for the property. Do not add washing dishes, loading or starting the dishwasher, stripping beds, starting laundry, taking rubbish off-site or completing the turnover clean.
Keys
[Explain where to return them.]
If You Need Help
Contact: [Name]
Telephone: [Number]
Thank you for staying at [Property Name]. We hope you had an enjoyable stay and wish you a safe journey home.
Frequently Asked Questions About Airbnb Check-Out Instructions
What should Airbnb check-out instructions include?
They should usually include the check-out time, lock-up or key-return procedure and a small number of reasonable property-specific requests. Airbnb’s permitted examples include placing used dishes in the sink, gathering used towels, separating rubbish and recycling into designated indoor bins, and switching off air conditioning when leaving.
For reservations booked on or after 20 November 2026, the applicable house rules and requests must be disclosed in Airbnb’s designated listing section at the time of booking.
How many check-out tasks should guests have?
Airbnb does not prescribe a fixed number. Keep the list short and limited to reasonable, necessary requests. The guest should not receive the cleaner’s turnover checklist.
Should Airbnb guests take out the rubbish?
Airbnb says guests can generally be asked to separate rubbish and recycling into designated indoor bins. They generally should not be asked to take rubbish off-site. Airbnb may consider genuine local factors and gives animal-proof disposal in bear country as an example of a possible exception.
Should guests strip the beds?
Airbnb says guests generally should not be asked to strip beds or remove sheets. Bed stripping, linen inspection and laundry should be included in the host or cleaner’s turnover process. Gathering used towels is a reasonable alternative identified by Airbnb.
Should Airbnb guests wash dishes?
Airbnb’s new guidance says guests generally should not be asked to wash and put away dishes. Hosts can ask guests to place used dishes in the sink. Do not use loading or starting the dishwasher as the standard recommendation in Airbnb check-out instructions.
Should guests clean before leaving?
Guests are expected to leave an Airbnb in a condition that does not require excessive or deep cleaning, but that does not make them responsible for the standard turnover. Dishwashing, bed stripping, laundry, off-site rubbish removal and the complete reset belong to the host or cleaning team.
When should I send check-out instructions?
For Airbnb reservations booked from 20 November 2026, applicable house rules and requests must be shown in the designated listing section at the time of booking. A short message before departure can remind the guest of those instructions but should not introduce a new obligation.
Should check-out instructions be in the welcome book?
Yes, a welcome book can provide a convenient reminder and explain practical details. For Airbnb bookings, it must remain consistent with the rules and requests disclosed when the guest booked and must not add new requirements.
Can I display check-out instructions on a sign?
Yes, a sign can repeat a small number of previously disclosed departure instructions. It should not be used to introduce a new rule, chore, charge, restriction or penalty after booking.
Does Airbnb’s policy apply to direct bookings or other platforms?
Not automatically. The guidance in this update reflects Airbnb’s policy. Hosts should separately check the terms, disclosure requirements and booking conditions applying to Vrbo, Booking.com, other platforms and direct reservations.
Keep Departure Simple
Good check-out instructions do not need to be long. Guests should know when to leave, how to return access items, how to secure the property and which small, reasonable requests were disclosed when they booked.
Dishwashing, bed stripping, laundry, off-site rubbish removal and the complete property reset belong in the host or cleaner’s turnover process.
Short, consistent instructions reduce uncertainty and make the final part of the guest stay easier to manage.
Editorial verification note
This maintenance package was checked on 21 October 2026 against Airbnb’s official policy and announcement. The policy applies to reservations booked on or after 20 November 2026. Airbnb’s examples use the word “generally” and allow contextual assessment, so this update avoids presenting every situation as absolute or predicting enforcement outcomes.
The article remains an operational guide, not legal advice. Requirements for direct bookings, other platforms, local waste systems, building rules and licensing should be checked separately.
