Is it okay to make Airbnb guests do their own cleaning?

Reports are becoming more frequent of Airbnb customers being required to clean up their rentals despite being charged a cleaning fee, begging the question: should they be doing it at all?

For those unfamiliar with Airbnb, stays are charged a nightly, weekly, or monthly rate and have extra fees and taxes added at the checkout. A cleaning fee is a common addition, with most guests assuming this covers the costs of tidying the apartment before the next guest arrives.

Some guests, however, have reported paying a cleaning fee and then being asked to clean dishes, do laundry, take out the trash, and in some absurd cases, mow the lawn. Some have even reported being required to clean but being left without cleaning supplies. Some fees are as expensive as $125, with excessive fees going over $300.

Airbnb claims that only 45% of its hosts even charge a cleaning fee and advises them to reconsider charging one, especially if they are asking guests to roll their sleeves up.