Cleaning Tasks Policy

This policy applies to properties listed in the State of California.

Summary Hosts of properties in California must provide travellers with a list of all required cleaning tasks and disclose whether incomplete cleaning tasks will result in a negative traveller review. This disclosure must be made prior to booking. Read more below to learn how and where cleaning tasks must be listed, and which tasks may be required.

What’s allowed

Hosts must list the specific cleaning tasks required of guests in the listing’s check-out instructions or another designated structured field, as instructed by Stayz. For example, software-connected partners must list cleaning tasks in the designated structured fields of their connectivity software.

Hosts can specify tasks that require guests to maintain reasonable cleanliness and hygiene but cannot require guests to perform general property upkeep or maintenance. Here’s a guide to what that means for any cleaning task:

Tasks should only take a few minutes to complete.
Tasks should require only minimal tools or equipment.
Tasks should not require specialised knowledge.
Tasks should relate directly to the guest’s use of the property, such as cleaning dishes or bedding.

Hosts may only require cleaning tasks that are reasonable, such as:

Removing trash from inside the home
Loading the dishwasher
Stripping beds
Removing personal items and food
Rolling away extra beds

Note: Guests are only required to complete the cleaning tasks specified in the permitted listing fields, such as check out instructions. If the host has a multi-unit property, cleaning tasks must be specified for each individual unit.

What’s not allowed

Hosts cannot charge a financial penalty for incomplete cleaning tasks.

Hosts cannot file a damage protection claim for incomplete cleaning tasks.

Hosts cannot require unreasonable tasks, such as:

Mowing the lawn
Deep cleaning major appliances, such as the hob or oven
Cleaning windows
Shoveling the driveway
Dusting and wiping all surfaces
Deep cleaning bathrooms, which may include tasks such as cleaning mirrors, floors, the shower, and refilling supplies

Enforcement

If guests don’t complete the required cleaning tasks, hosts can submit a negative review of the guest, provided this penalty is disclosed to the guest in the listing prior to booking. Hosts cannot charge financial penalties for incomplete tasks.

Stayz may send hosts a warning or correction request if the listing does not properly disclose cleaning task information, contains inaccuracies, or requires unreasonable cleaning tasks. Guests may be entitled to reimbursement from hosts for cleaning fees that were collected out of compliance with this policy.

If the listing is not corrected, Stayz may remove the non-compliant cleaning tasks and notify the host. Hosts may be suspended for continued or egregious violation of this policy.

Hosts may appeal their suspension or removal of any listed cleaning tasks by contacting their account manager or Stayz support.