Airbnb House Rules: An Essential Guide For Hosts (+ Free Template)

A well-documented set of Airbnb house rules clarifies guest expectations, preventing misunderstandings and ensuring respectful behavior. By clearly stating rules on noise, guest limits, and activities, hosts can manage accountability and protect themselves against disputes or legal issues. 

Airbnb rules for guests enhance their experience making check-in procedures and obtaining Wi-Fi passwords way easier, leading to greater satisfaction and better reviews. When writing your rules for guests, remember there are also Airbnb rules for hosting, which must be reviewed beforehand. This guide will help you clearly define your Airbnb house rules for your guests.

Airbnb house rules are guidelines set by hosts to communicate what guests can and cannot do during their stay. These rules help ensure a smooth rental experience and protect both the property and the host's interests. Rules provide clear guidelines for guests, outlining what is expected of them during their stay. 

This clarity helps prevent misunderstandings and sets the tone for respectful behavior, which can save a lot of cleaning, repair, and maintenance later on. When hosting, these rules should be clearly communicated in the Airbnb listing and reiterated during guest interactions to minimize misunderstandings and enhance the overall experience for both hosts and guests.

As we discussed above, there are some options you can select as house rules that are commonly used. But you can also create your own custom rules too if there are certain things you feel strongly about. 

Here are some examples of rules you might want to put in place for your property:

1. Smoking: The majority of Airbnb rentals put no smoking as one of their house rules. Even if you are not against it yourself, you don’t want to upset future guests with cigarette scent in your property.

2. Pets: There are benefits and negatives to having pets in your property. A lot of people like to bring their pets and you might gain a booking if you do let them bring their furry friend. You could also have a higher rate for pets. 

But of course, pets will bring extra mess to the property. Therefore, decide what works for you and make it clear on the house rules whether or not they can bring them. 

3. Children under 12:  A lot of rentals are allowing children and toddlers as it opens them up to the family-friendly market and you can charge more for larger groups of people. If you add some extra features such as a high chair or a crib, a young family is more likely to book your property.

4. Parties: While some rentals on Airbnb advertise themselves as a great place for hen do and stag dos, you want to make it clear whether you are open to parties occurring at your place. You need to make it clear what you think about parties and could add a rule about potential visitors.

5. Eating areas: It’s worth adding whether there are any specific areas of the property which are a no-no for eating and drinking. After all, you don’t want to end up having to buy new items as they have been ruined from food stains.

6. Noise: If you are renting out a room or are offering a property in an apartment building, it might be worth including a house rule about the noise. After all, you don’t want them to make a loud noise at night that will upset the neighbours or even disturb you.

7. Parking: It’s a good idea to inform guests about the parking rules. For instance, you can tell them if there is a space, how many cars will be able to park there and if there is a specific time they can park from and to.

8. Laundry: It’s also worth adding whether there is a specific time they should use the washer and dryer at the property. Not only will this help to cut costs for you, but it also helps them to be aware of when they can wash their clothes.

9. Checkout: It’s worth mentioning what exactly the guests need to do at checkout in your house rules. That way, every guest will do the same thing and it makes the process much easier.

10. Fire exit: You should also inform guests in the house rules about any fire exit for your property. For instance, if the rental is in an apartment block, it’s worth reminding them where it is located and also to keep them shut when not in use.

11. Locking the doors: It’s worth reminding guests as part of your house rules that they should keep the doors and windows locked when not in the property. This will ensure their belongings are kept safe when they are out and about.

12. Water areas: Whether the property has a pond, is next to a lake or has a swimming pool, it’s important to remind the guests in regards to safety. If they have young children, it’s a good idea to remind them about the safety rules and regulations.

Hosts should also use a proper template to ensure the information is conveyed properly, leaving no room for misinterpretation or disputes. Below is an example of an Airbnb house rules template demonstrating how hosts should lay theirs out. 

“Dear {guest_first_name},

I'm thrilled you chose my {listing_type} for your trip! I hope you enjoy all the cozy comforts and make the most of your time here, both in the home and exploring the area.

Please take a moment to read through these house rules at the start of your stay. If you have any questions or need clarifications, just let me know—I’m here to help!

I’ve worked hard to make this {listing_type} a lovely place. Please treat it with the same care you’d give your own home. A few things to remember: try not to rearrange the furniture, keep eating out of the bedroom, and clean the kitchen after use.

When you head out, please turn off the lights, air conditioning, and any electronics. Also, remember to close the windows and lock the door behind you.

Our neighborhood is special to us, so please be mindful of noise between 11 pm and 8 am, as many residents live here full-time.

Smoking isn’t allowed inside, but you’re welcome to smoke on the balcony. Pets are also welcome, but please keep them off the furniture, especially the beds and sofas.

Thanks so much for being a great guest!
 

All the best,

{host_first_name}”

Remember to communicate your wishes to create a good set of Airbnb rules for guests. You also need to remember that guests have come to your place to relax and have a good time. Therefore, a friendly tone is the best way to ensure the rules are properly received and adhered to. Use phrases like "we kindly ask that..." or "we appreciate it if you..." instead of demanding language. 

Using a friendly tone, clear formatting, positive framing, and visuals, you can present your Airbnb house rules in an appealing way that helps guests understand and follow them. This leads to a better experience for both hosts and guests.