Airbnb’s New House Rules and Vrbo’s Fee Change: The Plain-English Version

If your group chat has been buzzing about Airbnb’s new rules, you’re not alone. Everyone has an opinion. We’ll skip ours and give you the two-minute version: what changed, what it means for your next beach trip, and how things work at a 34 North Vacations home.

What changed on Airbnb

Airbnb published its first official house rules policy. It applies to reservations booked on or after November 20, 2026. Here are the parts guests are asking about:

• Checkout tasks. Hosts generally can’t require tasks that take significant time or effort, like stripping beds, washing and putting away dishes, or taking trash off-site. Simple requests, like putting used dishes in the sink, are still allowed.
• Fines. Hosts can’t charge their own fines or penalties.
• Listed features. If a listing shows a feature, the host can’t put it off-limits.
• Extra agreements. Separate rental agreements are limited to certain cases, such as when local law or an HOA requires one, or for monthly stays.
• Where to find the rules. House rules will show more clearly on the listing, in your Trips tab and in your reservation reminders.

Booked before November 20? The house rules that were in place when you booked still apply to that trip.

What changed on Vrbo

Starting October 29, 2026, Vrbo began moving hosts to a commission of about 12% on each booking. Hosts on Vrbo’s older subscription plan switch when their plan ends. Vrbo also says the service fee guests pay will now be priced by market conditions, and that it expects that fee to usually come out lower.

What it means for you: prices may shift a little as hosts adjust. Compare the total price, not just the nightly rate.

How it works at a 34 North Vacations home

Whichever site you book on, here’s what to expect with us:

• A rental agreement. North Carolina’s Vacation Rental Act requires a written agreement for vacation rentals, so every stay has one. It spells out everything up front, so there are no surprises.
• A refundable damage deposit on some homes, always shown before you book.
• A short checkout list. Leave the beds unmade (please don’t strip them, our cleaners have that covered). Hang up wet towels, take the trash to the outside bins, load and start the dishwasher, turn things off and lock up. Then go get one last look at the ocean.
• Homes stocked with the basics, like toilet paper, paper towels, soap and coffee, so you’re not making a store run before you’ve unpacked.

Quick answers

• When do Airbnb’s new rules start? For reservations booked on or after November 20, 2026.
• Do I have to strip the beds at a 34 North Vacations home? No, never. Please leave them unmade.
• Will I sign a rental agreement? Yes. North Carolina’s Vacation Rental Act requires one.
• Did Vrbo change the guest service fee? Vrbo says its guest service fee will now be priced by market conditions and expects it to usually come out lower. The bigger change was to what Vrbo charges hosts. Compare the total price before you book.
• Can I book a 34 North Vacations home directly? Yes, at 34northvacations.com, and you won’t pay a booking site’s guest service fee.

Let’s find your house

Rules on booking sites will keep changing. Our phone number won’t. Browse our homes at 34northvacations.com or call us at (252) 648-6911, and we’ll help you find the one that fits your crew. Summer weeks fill fast, so early winter is the time to book.

See you at the beach,
Melissa and the 34 North Vacations team