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Airbnb House Rules Template: What to Include and How to Word It

Nightly Profit · October 21, 2026 · 4 min read

Good house rules protect your property and your neighbours without making guests feel like suspects. The best ones are short, specific and friendly, and they're visible before the guest books, so nobody is surprised at the door. Here's what to include, example wording for each rule, and where your rules should live.

Why your house rules matter

• They set expectations before booking. A guest who knows there are quiet hours and no parties is far less likely to break those rules than one who discovers them on arrival.
• They give you something to point to. If a problem turns into a dispute, clear written rules shown on your listing are much easier to rely on than a rule you mentioned in passing.
• They cut down on questions. "Can we bring the dog?" and "can we check out at noon?" are answered once, for everyone.

Where house rules go

Write your rules once and put them in three places:

1. Your listing's house rules section. Airbnb's house rules section has set options for things like pets, events, smoking and quiet hours, plus a box for additional rules. Vrbo and Booking.com have similar fields. This is where guests see the rules before they book.
2. Your check-in message (a short version of the top three or four rules).
3. Inside the property, in your welcome book and on a small printed card.

Keep the wording the same in all three. Conflicting versions cause more arguments than missing ones.

What to include (with example wording)

Number your rules, keep each one to a sentence or two, and say "please" more than "do not".

1. Number of guests and visitors

The home sleeps up to [number] guests. Please don't bring additional overnight guests or visitors without checking with us first.

2. Parties and events

Airbnb bans disruptive parties and events across its platform, and many cities and condo boards have their own rules too. Say it plainly:

No parties or events, please. This is a quiet residential street and we want to stay good neighbours.

3. Quiet hours

Quiet hours are [10 PM – 8 AM]. Please keep music and voices low outdoors during these times.

Check your local bylaws and building rules, and match your quiet hours to them.

4. Smoking and vaping

No smoking or vaping anywhere inside the home. [Smoking is allowed on the back patio; please use the ashtray provided.]

5. Pets

Sorry, no pets. (Service animals are always welcome.)

Or, if you allow pets: say how many, what size, whether there's a fee, and where they shouldn't go (beds and furniture are common ones). Platforms have their own rules on service and assistance animals, so check the current policy for each one you list on.

6. Parking

Please park only in [driveway / space #]. Street parking is [allowed / not allowed overnight].

7. Check-in and check-out

Check-in is from [time] and check-out is by [time]. If you need a different time, just ask. We'll say yes whenever the cleaning schedule allows.

8. Check-out tasks (keep them light)

Before you leave, please start the dishwasher, take trash to the bins by the garage and lock the door. That's it!

Two or three small tasks is reasonable. A long chore list is one of the fastest ways to lose a star.

9. Safety and amenities

The hot tub is for guests 13 and up, and children must be supervised. Please don't use the fireplace while you're out.

Include only the amenities that need a rule (pool, hot tub, fire pit, balcony, stairs).

10. Damage and breakages

Accidents happen! If something breaks, please let us know so we can fix it before the next guests arrive.

This wording gets more honest reports than threats of fees. Your platform's damage process still applies.

A short house rules template you can copy

House rules for [Property name]

1. Up to [number] guests. No additional visitors without asking first.
2. No parties or events.
3. Quiet hours [10 PM – 8 AM].
4. No smoking or vaping indoors.
5. [No pets / Pets allowed with approval].
6. Park in [location] only.
7. Check-in from [time]; check-out by [time].
8. Before you go: dishwasher on, trash out, door locked.
9. Please tell us about any breakages so we can fix them.

Thank you for treating our home like your own!

Wording tips

• Explain the reason when it helps. "Quiet hours, because our neighbours have young kids" gets more cooperation than "Quiet hours strictly enforced".
• Avoid all caps and long lists of fines. They put off the guests you actually want.
• Keep codes and private details out of your public rules. Door codes and Wi-Fi passwords belong in messages to confirmed guests and inside the home.
• Review the rules after any problem stay. If you had to explain something to a guest, it probably belongs in the rules.

Put the rules where guests will see them

A small printed card by the door or on the fridge is read far more often than page six of a binder. If you're also writing your welcome book, our guide to what to put in your Airbnb welcome book has a page-by-page outline.

General information, not tax, legal or financial advice. Any figures in examples are made up to illustrate the math. Nightly Profit is not affiliated with Airbnb, Vrbo or Booking.com.