Essential Airbnb House Rules Every Host Needs
As an Airbnb host, you’re probably familiar with the Benjamin Franklin quote “An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.” This is especially true when it comes to house rules. By having a set of house rules in place, you can help prevent problems before they happen. In this blog post, we will discuss the 15 must-have house rules for every Airbnb host. We’ll also provide some tips on how to communicate your policies with guests, and what happens if someone breaks a rule.
Airbnb House rules help protect your short-term rental
property and they can also help reduce the risk of damage or theft. But did you know that house rules can also help prevent nuisances like noise complaints? By having a set of clear house rules, you can help ensure that your guests understand your expectations and behave accordingly.
Improve guest experience
In addition to preventing problems, house rules can also help improve the guest experience. By clearly communicating your expectations, you can help guests feel more comfortable and welcome in your home. And by having a set of house rules in place, you can help guests feel confident that they understand what is expected of them.
Communicate your policies with guests
The first step to creating a set of house rules is to communicate your policies with guests. You can do this by including your house rules in your Airbnb listing, and also by writing house rules and sending a copy to guests after they book their stay.
It’s also important to be available to answer any questions that guests may have about your house rules so if a guest isn’t a good fit for your house they can find other accommodations.
What happens if someone breaks a rule?
If someone breaks a rule, you have the right to ask them to leave. You can also choose to charge a guest for damages. If there is evidence that they have caused damage to your property.
Breaking house rules can also result in a negative review from you, which can impact a guest’s ability to book future stays on Airbnb.
Better hospitality
When your guests understand your rules,
What rules does Airbnb ask if you want to allow it or not?
Suitable for children (2-12 years)
I’ve lived with children this age for many years, and I will tell you they are messy, loud, destructive, and generally difficult. That said, everyone with kids will be grateful if your vacation rental is set up to easily host children.
Suitable for infants (under 2 years)
This is pretty straightforward. How do you feel about babies and children in your home? If you have young kids of your own, you might want to limit the number of Airbnb guests with small children. If you feel like the noise of a baby is going to be disruptive to neighbors that might be something you want to let potential guests know. Children have a hard time understanding quiet time if they’re crying in the middle of the night so make sure that isn’t going to disrupt other guests or neighbors.
Parties or Events
This is a must for almost every Airbnb host. You don’t want people hosting events at your house without your permission. We do everything we can to minimize and prevent parties in our home. They are stressful, damaging, and bad for neighbors.
I’ve heard too many stories about people renting out Airbnbs for parties. Parties are where you will typically have to do extra cleaning, there is usually smoking inside, excessive noise, extra guests, and illegal substances. Make sure you state explicitly in your house rules that parties and events are not allowed without prior approval.
A friend of mine had about 150 high schoolers partying in their beach house during covid and it was quite an issue for the local community and the renters who were arriving the following day.
Pets allowed
Pets are the number 1 most searched amenity for Airbnbs in North America. The correlation is clear if you allow pets in your vacation rental you will increase your occupancy. There are pros and cons to allowing dogs in your Airbnb. Check this article out here for more details.
Smoking allowed
What are the smoking rules for your Airbnb listing? Smoking is less frequent for American travelers so if you allow guests to smoke on your property I would highly recommend off-limit areas like “indoor smoking not allowed.” I try to keep it simple for myself and say no smoking is allowed, but then give people a location where it’s allowed if they ask. I always remind guests to “please clean up cigarette butts.”
What is an unregistered guest?
Unregistered guests are people in your short-term rental who do not have prior consent from you or a co-host. One way to minimize parties is to state in your own house rules that only registered guests are allowed without prior written consent. Then be sure to keep all communication through the Airbnb app.
Are Airbnb house rules legally binding?
Airbnb house rules are not legally binding, but they can help prevent problems before they happen. By having a set of house rules in place, you can help prevent issues such as noise complaints, damage to property, and unauthorized guests. If someone breaks a rule, you can take action through Airbnb’s resolution center.
How do you feel about fire in your vacation rental property?
I’m talking about candles, incense, grills, bonfires, and fire hola-hoopers. When I was growing up I saw a karate exposition where the main guy was swinging nunchucks that were lit on fire. I always wondered how that was possible with the loose-fitting uniform ninjas wear.
Airbnb house rules examples
Noise guidance
Does your neighborhood or town have a noise curfew? If it does make sure you list it in your house rules. If not, think about what time you would like guests to keep the noise down.
Quiet hours – 10 pm to 8 am is pretty standard. You’d be surprised to hear it but in places like Las Vegas and Reno, Nevada which are 24-hour cities there are enforceable quiet hours at all times of the day
Pool rules
If you have a swimming pool there will be certain safety rules your insurance will want you to post. There are also other considerations with noise and damage you need to educate guests about. For example, if there’s an extra charge if guests put chairs in the pool or bodily fluids (blood, vomit, etc.). A friend of mine has a pool in a bachelor/bachelorette destination and they explicitly state people must “not use the pool after 10 pm or they will be evicted.” Now holding guests accountable to such a rule is easier said than done but at least you have documentation to support your claim should you need it.
Lost key policy
What happens if a guest loses their key or wants an extra set of keys made?
Number of guests
How many people are allowed to stay at your rental property? The number of guests should be stated in your house rules as well as the reservation.
Extra charges
What kind of extra charges do you have for things like towels, sheets, or dishes? Do you charge a pet fee? Airport transfers? Breakfast? Mid-reservation cleaning services?
Parking
Where can guests park? Is there a fee for parking? How many spots are available?
What about illegal substances?
Drugs and other illegal substances on your property could lead to some serious issues. Be sure to state explicitly that these are not allowed on the premises.
Keep furniture in its current place
This is a rule I have for my own house. It just makes things easier when it comes to cleaning and gives guests a sense of order when they’re staying in my home. For some reason, guests who travel to our beach Airbnb rental always move the furniture.
Weapons
Guns are not allowed in my vacation rentals I have it specifically listed on my house rules list because I had a series of guests who were open-carrying handguns and it made my neighbors and other Airbnb guests very nervous. If your home is in a hunting destination that might be challenging but in a city, it’s unlikely to be a problem.
Heating and air conditioning
How do you want guests to use the heating and air conditioning in your rental property? What’s the temperature range you’re comfortable with? Do you want guests to turn it off when they check out?
Shoe rules
I understand when people want guests to remove their shoes before entering their house, but it’s an irritating rule for many guests. If you have a white carpet you’re going to have bigger problems than shoes I assure you.
Commercial use
Do you want to allow your guests to use your property for commercial purposes like photo shoots or small events?
Photo shoots?
If your Airbnb listing is designed well and professionally photographed you will get inquiries about photo shoots. How do you feel about them? They can range in size from two people to a team of people and catering so be sure to ask for details before making a decision.
What are your check-in and check-out times?
Be sure to list your check-in and check-out times in your house rules. I generally allow guests to check in at 3 pm or later and check out by 11 am. This gives cleaners enough time to clean the rental unit thoroughly between guests.
Collecting and enforcing damages
The most important thing to remember when it comes to damages is that you are responsible for what happens to your property. Even if the damage was caused by an act of God, you will still be held liable. This is why it’s so important to have house rules in place that set expectations for guests and hold them accountable should something go wrong. Having house rules clearly stated will help Airbnb support negotiate with guests and advocate on your behalf.
What isn’t allowed?
You can’t ask discriminating questions about peoples’ identity, race, gender, etc. You are allowed to ask a guest’s gender if you are hosting a shared space. For example, if you are a single female and only want to host females.
You’re not allowed to make age-based rules.
Where do you add them to your listing?
You add house rules to your listing: go to menu<listings<policies and rules.
House Rules Template Airbnb
Here is a template you can use for your Airbnb house rules:
– Check-in is at 3 pm and check-out is at 11 am.
– No smoking, vaping, or illegal substances on the premises.
– Quiet hours are from 10 pm to 8 am.
– No pets allowed.
– Guests are responsible for any damages they cause.
– Please remove your shoes before entering the house.
– Commercial use of the property is not allowed without prior approval.
– If something is broken, please let me know so I can fix it.
– Please do not move or rearrange the furniture.
– Only the guests who are listed on the reservation are allowed.
– Please respect my property and treat it as you would your own home.
– I reserve the right to enter the property at any time for any reason.
– By booking this rental, you agree to abide by these house rules.
In Conclusion
House rules are a necessary part of being an Airbnb host. They help set expectations for guests and hold them accountable in the case of damages or other problems. By having clear house rules in place, you can avoid many potential problems and headaches down the road.
