COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

Airbnb hosts have mixed feelings about newly announced rules that lighten the chore load for guests.

Under the change, hosts can no longer require guests to perform chores that take a “significant effort or time." This includes tasks like washing the dishes, stripping sheets off the bed, doing a load of laundry or taking out the trash.

Instead, hosts can set expectations under the seven standard rules:

• Maximum overnight guests
• Quiet hours
• Events
• Pets
• Smoking
• Commercial photography/filming
• Lock-up/key drop-off at checkout

Host-imposed fees are also not allowed. If issues like property damage occur, hosts and guests are expected to resolve the issue. The change is meant to improve trasparency and prevent conflicts over fines after a stay and extra rules that a host may enforce outside of the initial booking.

An ABC 17 News reporter spoke with several people who have previously stayed at an Airbnb. Most were supportive of the changes, with one woman reporting during one stay, the required tasks took around an hour to complete. Also, during a separate visit, the host wrongly accused her online of leaving carpet stains. Another guest reported receiving cleaning fees despite doing the required chores.

Two guests told ABC 17 News they didn't mind the previous rules and considered doing the dishes and taking out the trash common courtesy.

Michelle Mathews has been hosting rentals in Columbia for seven years, and doesn't feel strongly about the change.

"It doesn’t affect me at all. The only tasks I ask guests to do is turn off the lights and shut the door behind them. I actually don’t want them doing any cleaning as I prefer to do it myself and make sure it’s done correctly," Mathews said.

Host Jessica Simpson has been working in Columbia for 12 years and manages around 15 properties. She tells ABC 17 News she prefers to handle laundry herself. Guests are typically asked to take out the trash and load and start the dishwasher.

"You never know what is in someone's trash, and it's really, could be hazardous," Simpson said.

Simpson warns the change will most likely be more of a burden on guests.

"If time that the cleaners are there is increased, it's just going to be another fee passed on to the guest," Simpson said. "It seems like Airbnb is changing a lot and it actually seems like they're honestly getting pretty greedy, I mean, they have increased the host fees on our end almost 20%."

Simpson added the best way for guests to save money is to go directly through the host.

"Many people are leaning more towards direct bookings where we can offer stays for 15-to-20% cheaper through direct booking," Simpson said.

Currently, there are 98 short-term rental properties in compliance with the City of Columbia. The city has recently been cracking down on illegal properties, with hosts often lacking proper rental and business licensing.

Twenty-two cases have been prosecuted so far, with the city aware of 20 additional illegal rentals in operation.

"We continue to try to identify those properties that maybe are already incompliant, to reach out to those owners, to let them know, 'hey, we suspect that you're operating here are the steps that you need to take to come into compliance with city code,'" said Leigh Kottwitz, who is the neighborhood services manager of Columbia's Housing and Neighborhood Services Department.

Enforcement is meant to preserve neighborhoods and affordable housing in the area.

Residents are also encouraged to report short-term rentals that are not in compliance online. The reporting line was launched in the spring with only three complaints filed.