Hosting on Airbnb can be a rewarding venture, whether you’re managing a single rental property or scaling a vacation rental business with 10XBNB.
One of the most critical elements of a successful Airbnb listing is a clear, concise, and effective Airbnb house rules template.
Well-crafted house rules ensure your Airbnb house runs smoothly, protect your property, and set expectations for Airbnb guests.
In this Airbnb Tips post, we’ll dive into how to write house rules for your vacation rental, what to include in your Airbnb house rules, and provide Airbnb house rules examples to inspire your own house rules template.
Let’s get to those templates!
Why You Need an Airbnb House Rules Template
Your Airbnb house rules are the backbone of your hosting strategy.
They communicate boundaries, maintain order, and safeguard your Airbnb house from potential issues like unregistered guests or damage.
Without a solid house rules template, you risk misunderstandings that could lead to a guest breaking your expectations—or worse, your property.
At 10XBNB, we’ve seen firsthand how a tailored Airbnb house rules template can streamline operations and elevate guest satisfaction.
A good house rules list doesn’t just protect your vacation rental; it also helps remind guests of their responsibilities, ensuring a relaxing vacation for them and peace of mind for you.
Ready to craft your own Airbnb house rules? Let’s explore the essentials.
How to Write House Rules for Airbnb
Creating an Airbnb house rules template doesn’t have to be daunting.
Follow these steps to write house rules that are clear, enforceable, and guest-friendly:
- Keep Rules Simple: Avoid overwhelming guests with a lengthy list. Focus on the most important rules that protect your Airbnb house and ensure a smooth stay.
- Be Specific: Vague house rules leave room for interpretation. For example, instead of “no loud noise,” specify “quiet hours from 10 PM to 7 AM.”
- Tailor to Your Property: Every Airbnb house is unique. If your vacation rental has a pool, include pool-specific safety rules. If it’s in a residential area, address parking or neighbor concerns.
- Use a Friendly Tone: While firmness is key, a welcoming tone can encourage guests to comply. For instance, “We love providing a peaceful retreat, so please keep noise low after 10 PM.”
- Leverage Templates: Start with a house rules template like the one 10XBNB offers, then customize it to fit your Airbnb property.
Pro Tip: Link your Airbnb house rules to your Airbnb guest agreement template for added clarity and legal backing.
What Rules Should I Have for My Airbnb?
Your Airbnb house rules should cover the essentials while addressing specific needs of your vacation rental.
Here’s a breakdown of common Airbnb house rules to include in your house rules template:
Check-In and Check-Out Procedures
- Check-in: Provide clear instructions (e.g., “Check-in starts at 4 PM via keyless entry—code provided day of arrival”).
- Check-out: Set a firm time (e.g., “Check-out by 11 AM to allow time for cleaning”). Include tasks like stripping beds or taking out trash to prep for next guests.
Guest Limits and Unregistered Guests
- Limit the number of occupants to your listing’s capacity. State, “Only registered guests allowed—no extra guests without prior approval.” This prevents issues like Airbnb guest number lying.
Smoking Rules
- Ban smoking inside: “No smoking inside the Airbnb house—use the designated outdoor area.”
- Mention potential extra cleaning fees for violations due to cigarette smoke or pet allergies.
Noise and Quiet Hours
- Prevent excessive noise with rules like, “Quiet hours from 10 PM to 7 AM to respect neighbors.”
- This keeps neighbors crazy at bay and ensures a relaxing vacation.
Off-Limit Areas
- Designate off-limits zones: “The garage and upstairs office are off-limits to guests.”
- This protects your personal items and maintains privacy.
Pets and Allergies
- Specify pet policies: “No pets allowed due to pet allergies—violations may incur a security deposit deduction.”
Safety and Property Use
- Include safety rules like, “No jumping into the pool area from furniture” or “Turn off air conditioning when leaving the house.”
Parking Instructions
- Clarify parking: “Use the designated parking space—street parking is not permitted.”
Damage and Fees
- Hold guests accountable: “Guests will be charged for damages beyond normal wear and tear via the security deposit.”
For more ideas, explore Airbnb Tips from 10XBNB to refine your house rules.
Airbnb House Rules Examples
Need inspiration? Here are some Airbnb house rules examples from successful vacation rentals:
- Check-Out Example: “Please check out by 10 AM. Leave used towels in the bathroom and dishes in the sink—our team will handle the rest!”
- Smoking Example: “Smoking inside is strictly prohibited. Use the patio for smoking—violations result in a $200 extra cleaning fee.”
- Noise Example: “We love a good time, but please observe quiet hours from 11 PM to 8 AM to keep the peace.”
- Pet Example: “No pets allowed in this Airbnb house to ensure a clean stay for all guests.”
- Pool Example: “Pool area closes at 9 PM—no glass bottles permitted to keep it safe.”
These sample house rules balance firmness with friendliness, making them effective for most guests.
What Is the 25 Rule on Airbnb?
You might have heard of the “25 rule” in the context of Airbnb rules, but it’s a common misconception. There’s no official “25 rule” on the Airbnb platform.
However, some hosts interpret this as a guideline to keep house rules concise—aiming for 25 words or fewer per rule for clarity.
For example: “No smoking inside—use the patio.” This keeps your Airbnb house rules digestible and prevents overwhelming guests.
At 10XBNB, we recommend keeping your rules simple but not restricting yourself to an arbitrary count.
Focus on clarity and coverage over word limits.
How Do I Write Airbnb Instructions?
Beyond your Airbnb house rules template, you’ll need to communicate Airbnb house rules effectively through instructions.
Here’s how:
- Add to Your Listing Page: Include house rules in your Airbnb listing under the “House Rules” section on the Airbnb website.
- Create a House Manual: Provide a printed or digital house manual with detailed instructions (e.g., Wi-Fi codes, check-in steps, and check-out times).
- Message Guests: Remind guests of key house rules (like check-out times or banning smoking) in your welcome message.
- Signage: Post house rules in proper spaces like the kitchen or pool area for reinforcement.
For example, your listing page might say: “Check-in at 3 PM, no smoking inside, and quiet hours after 10 PM—full details in the house manual.”
Customizing Your House Rules Template
While a generic house rules template is a great start, adding house rules specific to your Airbnb house sets you apart.
Consider:
- Air Conditioning: “Set air conditioning to 72°F and turn off when leaving.”
- Pool Area: “No diving in the pool—open from 8 AM to 8 PM.”
- Parking Space: “Park only in the driveway—street parking risks towing.”
These custom rules address unique features of your vacation rental, ensuring guests know exactly what’s expected.
What Happens When a Guest Breaks Airbnb House Rules?
If a guest breaks your Airbnb house rules, act swiftly:
- Document the issue (e.g., photos of smoking inside damage).
- Contact the guest politely but firmly.
- Report to Airbnb if unresolved—reference your house rules in the dispute.
- Charge the security deposit for damages or extra cleaning.
For severe cases, like unregistered guests or breaking rules repeatedly, see 10XBNB’s guide on short-term rental evictions.
Vacation Rental House Rules vs. Airbnb House Rules
While vacation rental house rules and Airbnb house rules overlap, Airbnb hosts must align with the platform’s policies.
For instance, Airbnb prohibits discrimination, so avoid rules like “no children” unless safety-related (e.g., no pool fence).
A vacation rental off-platform might have more flexibility but fewer built-in protections.
External Resource for Inspiration
For more Airbnb house rules examples, check out Airbnb’s official hosting guide for platform-specific insights.
Final Thoughts on House Rules Templates
Crafting an effective Airbnb house rules template is an art.
It balances guest experience with property protection, ensuring your Airbnb house thrives.
At 10XBNB, we’ve perfected this process for our vacation rental partners, and now you can too.
Start with our suggestions, tweak for your Airbnb property, and watch your hosting success soar.
Ready to level up your Airbnb business?
Explore more strategies at 10XBNB and make your house rules a cornerstone of your success!
Airbnb House Rules Template by 10XBNB
Welcome to our Airbnb house! We’re thrilled to host you and want to ensure a smooth, enjoyable stay. Please review and follow these house rules to keep our vacation rental in top shape for you and future guests. Let’s make your visit amazing!
Check-In and Check-Out
- Check-In: Begins at 4 PM. You’ll receive a keyless entry code on arrival day—message us if you need an early check-in.
- Check-Out: By 11 AM. Please strip beds, place used towels in the bathroom, and take trash to the outdoor bin. This helps us prep for the next guests quickly.
Guest Limits
- Only registered guests listed in your booking are allowed. No extra guests or unregistered guests without prior approval—see our guide on Airbnb guest number lying for why this matters.
Smoking Rules
- No smoking inside the Airbnb house. Use the designated outdoor patio area. Violations, including cigarette smoke residue, may incur a $200 extra cleaning fee to protect guests with pet allergies.
Quiet Hours
- Observe quiet hours from 10 PM to 7 AM. Keep noise low to respect neighbors and ensure a relaxing vacation for everyone. Excessive noise after hours may lead to a warning or further action.
Off-Limit Areas
- The garage and storage shed are off-limits to guests. Stick to the main living areas, bedrooms, and outdoor spaces listed in the Airbnb listing.
Pets
- No pets allowed in this Airbnb house due to allergy concerns. Breaking this rule risks a security deposit deduction for extra cleaning.
Safety and Property Use
- Pool Area: Open 8 AM to 9 PM—no diving or glass bottles permitted for safety.
- Air Conditioning: Set to 72°F and turn off when leaving the house to conserve energy.
- No jumping on furniture or tampering with safety devices (e.g., smoke alarms).
Parking Instructions
- Use the designated parking space in the driveway. Street parking is not allowed to avoid towing and keep neighbors crazy at bay.
Damage and Responsibility
- Guests are responsible for damages beyond normal wear. Report any issues immediately. Charges for repairs or extra cleaning (e.g., from smoking inside) will be deducted from the security deposit.
Additional Guidelines
- Check-Out Times: Late check-outs past 11 AM may incur a fee unless pre-approved.
- Pool Area: Towels are provided—please don’t use bath towels outside.
- House Manual: Find Wi-Fi codes and more in the kitchen binder.
What Happens If Rules Are Broken?
If a guest breaks these Airbnb house rules, we’ll reach out to resolve it. Persistent issues, like breaking rules or bringing unregistered guests, may lead to early departure or Airbnb escalation. See our short-term rental evictions guide for rare cases.
Questions?
We’re here to help! Message us through the Airbnb website or check out more Airbnb Tips from 10XBNB. Enjoy your stay at our vacation rental!
How to Use This Template
- Add this house rules template to your Airbnb listing under the “House Rules” section.
- Print it as a house manual for in-house reference.
- Remind guests of key points (like check-out times or smoking rules) in your welcome message.
This Airbnb house rules template keeps your vacation rental running smoothly while setting clear expectations. Tailor it to your Airbnb house—whether it’s a cozy cabin or a luxe villa—and watch your hosting thrive with 10XBNB!
