Vacation rental house rules template: clear rules guests follow
A copyable house rules template for Airbnb and vacation rentals, with clearer wording, what Airbnb's standard rules cover, and a short printable sign.
Guest Manuals · · 5 min read · By StayPerk Team · Updated
Good house rules protect your home and your neighbours without making guests feel watched. The best ones are short, specific and easy to find before and during the stay.
Copy the template below, delete what doesn't apply, and use the same wording in your listing, your guest manual and any printed sign.
Start with the rules your booking platform already covers
On Airbnb, standard house rules cover smoking, pets, events, quiet hours, the maximum number of guests, check-in and checkout times, and commercial photography or filming. Airbnb's help article says additional rules shouldn't contradict the standard ones, and recommends not overwhelming guests with too many. House rules appear in your listing, the booking terms, automated emails and the Arrival guide, and they are enforceable under Airbnb's ground rules for guests.
Keep every copy the same
If your printed sign says quiet hours start at 10 pm and your listing says 11 pm, guests will follow the one they like best. Update all copies together.
House rules template
Vacation rental house rules
Template
House rules for [property name] Check-in and checkout - Check-in is from [time]. Checkout is by [time]. Guests - Up to [number] guests may stay overnight. Please ask before inviting visitors. Quiet hours - Please keep noise down between [time] and [time]. Sound carries to [neighbours / the next unit]. Smoking and vaping - [No smoking or vaping inside or on the property. / Smoking is allowed only in [place].] Pets - [Pets are not allowed. / Up to [number] pets are welcome. Please keep them off [furniture or rooms].] Parties and events - [Parties and events are not allowed.] Parking - Please park [where]. [Street parking rules or permit details.] Rubbish and recycling - Put rubbish in [bin] and recycling in [bin]. Collection day is [day]. Safety - The fire extinguisher is [location]. The first-aid kit is [location]. - [Pool, hot tub or fireplace rule, with the reason.] Damage or problems - Accidents happen. Please tell us right away at [contact method] so we can fix things before the next guest. Thank you for looking after our home.
Replace every bracketed field and delete any rule that doesn't apply to your property.
How to write rules guests actually follow
- Be specific. "Quiet hours 10 pm to 8 am" works better than "be respectful".
- Give the reason for safety rules. Guests follow rules they understand.
- Say what guests can do, not only what they can't. For example: "Smoking is fine on the back patio."
- Put one rule on each line so it can be scanned.
- Check local rules. Some areas set quiet hours, parking or occupancy limits.
| Topic | Vague | Clearer |
|---|---|---|
| Noise | Be respectful of neighbours. | Quiet hours are 10 pm to 8 am. Voices carry to the house next door. |
| Visitors | No unregistered guests. | Up to 6 guests may stay overnight. Please ask before inviting visitors. |
| Hot tub | Use the hot tub responsibly. | No glass in the hot tub area. Children must be supervised. |
| Rubbish | Keep the place clean. | Rubbish goes in the grey bin by the garage. Collection is Tuesday. |
A short sign for the door or fridge
Short house rules sign
Template
Welcome! A few house rules: Quiet hours: [time] to [time] No smoking inside Up to [number] overnight guests Rubbish: [bin location] Questions? [contact method]
Where to share your house rules
- In your booking listing, so guests agree to them before they book.
- In your digital guest manual, where guests can find them from their phone at any time.
- In your printed Welcome Book, for guests who prefer paper.
- On a short sign where a rule matters most, such as the hot tub or the back door.
Every StayPerk Welcome Book design includes a House rules page, and you can make a matching sign with the free guest sign builder. Airbnb also has its own guide to setting helpful house rules.
Frequently asked questions
What should vacation rental house rules include?
Check-in and checkout times, the guest limit, quiet hours, smoking, pets, parties, parking, rubbish and safety notes. Add a friendly line on how to report damage.
Where do Airbnb guests see house rules?
Airbnb shows house rules in the listing, the booking terms, automated guest emails and the Arrival guide. After booking, guests can also find them in their trip in the app.
Can I add rules beyond Airbnb's standard ones?
Yes, as additional rules. Airbnb says they shouldn't contradict the standard rules, such as your check-in time, and recommends keeping them to what matters.
How many house rules is too many?
If guests can't read them in under a minute, there are probably too many. Keep the rules that protect the home, your neighbours and the next guest.
Should I print my house rules?
A short printed sign near the relevant spot helps, as long as it matches your listing and guest manual word for word.
Useful StayPerk pages
- House manual template
Where house rules fit in a complete manual.
- Free guest signs
Print a matching house rules or reminder sign.
- Welcome Book templates
Every design includes a House rules page.
- Checkout message templates
Keep checkout steps short and fair.