diff --git a/backend/src/routes/housekeeping.ts b/backend/src/routes/housekeeping.ts
index aa1c511..45327f3 100644
--- a/backend/src/routes/housekeeping.ts
+++ b/backend/src/routes/housekeeping.ts
@@ -123,6 +123,15 @@ const housekeeping: FastifyPluginAsync = async (fastify) => {
       if (!rows[0]) return reply.code(404).send({ error: 'Task not found' })
       const task = rows[0]
 
+      // When task is marked in_progress → room becomes 'cleaning'
+      if (request.body.status === 'in_progress' && task.room_id) {
+        await db.query(
+          `UPDATE rooms SET housekeeping_status = 'cleaning' WHERE id = $1`,
+          [task.room_id],
+        )
+        broadcast(slug, { type: 'housekeeping_done', taskId: task.id, roomId: task.room_id, roomStatus: 'cleaning' })
+      }
+
       // When task is marked done → update room housekeeping status
       if (request.body.status === 'done' && task.room_id) {
         const settings = await getHkSettings(hotelId).catch(() => null)