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Airbnb house rules template
Good house rules are short, specific and explain themselves. This template gives you wording for the rules almost every host needs, written so guests read them as reasonable rather than suspicious.
The template
House rules template
Airbnb house rules template
Welcome
We want you to feel at home here. These few rules help us keep [Property name] lovely for every guest, and keep things friendly with our neighbours.
Guests
The maximum number of guests is [number], including children. Only guests on the booking may stay overnight.
Daytime visitors are [welcome until 9:00 pm / not permitted]. Please let us know in advance.
Parties and events
No parties or events, of any size. [Building / neighbourhood reason, e.g. we share the building with permanent residents.]
Noise
Quiet hours are [10:00 pm to 8:00 am]. Sound carries [in the stairwell / from the terrace], so please keep voices and music low at night.
Smoking
No smoking or vaping anywhere inside. [You're welcome to smoke on the terrace; there's an ashtray by the door.]
A cleaning fee of [amount] applies if the home needs smoke treatment after your stay.
Pets
[Pets are not allowed. Assistance animals are always welcome.]
[Or: Well-behaved pets are welcome with prior approval. Please keep them off beds and sofas.]
Looking after the home
Please treat the home as you would a friend's. Let us know straight away if something breaks. We won't be upset about honest accidents.
Please don't move furniture between rooms or take towels to the beach. Beach towels are [location].
Safety
Please don't leave candles or cooking unattended. Keep the [pool gate / balcony door] closed when children are around.
Checkout
Checkout is by [11:00 am]. Late checkout may be possible if you ask the day before.
Please [load the dishwasher, take out the rubbish and leave the keys in the key box].
Highlighted text in [brackets] is yours to replace. Free to use and adapt, no attribution needed.
Tips
Making it work for your guests
Give the reason
"No parties, because two families live below us" is harder to argue with than "No parties". Reasons turn rules into requests.
Match your listing
Rules guests only see after arrival are hard to enforce. Anything that matters, like guest limits, smoking or pets, should also be in your Airbnb house rules so it's agreed at booking.
Be specific about time
"Be quiet at night" means something different to everyone. "Quiet hours from 10 pm" doesn't.
Make it digital
Send it before guests arrive, in their language.
Paste this template into a free GuestIntro guest manual. Guests open it from a link or QR code, read it in any of ten languages, and you update it in seconds when a code changes.
Create a free guest manual →Questions
Common questions
- What house rules should every Airbnb have?
- Most hosts need rules on maximum guests, parties, quiet hours, smoking, pets and checkout. Add rules for anything specific to your home, such as a pool, shared spaces or a building with residents, and leave out the rest.
- Can I charge guests for breaking house rules?
- You can request reimbursement through Airbnb's resolution process for damage or extra cleaning, especially when the rule was in your listing before booking. Keep photos and messages as evidence.
- Where should I display my house rules?
- In three places: your Airbnb listing, your pre-arrival message or guest manual, and a short printed version in the home. Guests rarely read all three, but each catches a different moment.
More templates
Templates that go with this one
- Welcome book
The full guest-facing book: arrival, the home, rules, local tips and checkout, in the order guests need them.
- Checkout instructions
A short, polite checkout list: time, keys, the few tasks you actually need, and what guests can skip.
- Welcome letter
A one-page personal note left on the table: warm welcome, the three essentials, and how to reach you.
All templates are on the free host templates page.