Book A Stay
Let Your Property
Search our Knowledge Base
< All Topics
Print

How do I set and enforce house rules for my Airbnb property?

Posted6 April 2023
By53DegreesProperty
As an Airbnb host, one of your key responsibilities is setting and enforcing house rules. These guidelines not only help maintain your property but also ensure a safe and comfortable stay for all guests. We walk you through the process of creating effective house rules and share strategies for enforcing them.

Why House Rules Matter

House rules serve as a crucial communication tool between you and your guests. They set clear expectations about acceptable behaviour, help prevent misunderstandings, and can even protect you legally in case of disputes. Well-crafted rules contribute to a smoother hosting experience and can lead to better reviews and repeat bookings.

Creating Your Airbnb House Rules

When setting your house rules, consider covering these key areas:
  • Noise and quiet hours
  • Smoking policy
  • Pet policy
  • Party and event restrictions
  • Parking guidelines
  • Check-in and check-out times
  • Occupancy limits
  • Security instructions
  • Use of amenities and shared spaces
  • Cleaning expectations
  • Damage reporting procedure
Remember, your rules should align with Airbnb’s community standards and local laws. You can find an Airbnb house rules template in their Help Centre to get started.

Communicating Your Rules Effectively

Clear communication is key to ensuring guests understand and follow your rules. Here are some tips:
  • Include your house rules in your listing description
  • Remind guests about the rules during the booking process
  • Send a pre-arrival message reiterating important rules
  • Leave a printed copy of the rules in a visible location within the property
  • Consider creating a welcome book with detailed instructions and rules

Enforcing Your House Rules

Even with clear communication, you may occasionally encounter guests who break the rules. Here’s how to handle such situations:
  • Address violations promptly and professionally
  • Use Airbnb’s messaging system for all communications about rule violations
  • For minor infractions, send a gentle reminder
  • For serious or repeated violations, report the incident to Airbnb
  • Document any damages thoroughly and submit a claim through the Resolution Centre

Related FAQs

  1. What should I include in my Airbnb house rules?

Your Airbnb house rules should provide clear expectations about how your guests should behave while they are staying with you. Key areas to cover in your Airbnb house rules examples include noise and parking restrictions, policies on smoking, parties and pets, cleaning expectations, and security instructions. Always ensure your rules align with Airbnb’s community standards and local laws. You can find an Airbnb house rules template in the Airbnb Help Centre to get started.

  1. How can I ensure guests understand and agree to the rules before booking?

To make sure guests understand and agree to your house rules on Airbnb, first ensure that they are clearly stated in your listing description. During the booking process, remind guests about the house rules for Airbnb and ask them to confirm that they’ve read and understood them.  It’s also a good idea to mention any significant rules in your pre-arrival communication to reinforce their importance and set expectations for your guests.

  1. Can I refuse a booking if I think the guest might break the rules?

As an Airbnb host, you can refuse a booking if you have a reasonable belief that the guest might break your house rules. However, it’s important to make decisions based on solid evidence, such as poor reviews from previous hosts, and not on personal bias. Always ensure your actions align with Airbnb’s non-discrimination policy. For example, you may not decline a booking based on an individual’s race, nationality, marital status or sexual orientation.

  1. How can I remind guests of the house rules during their stay?

You can remind guests of your house rules at several points during their stay. Start with a verbal or written reminder at check-in. Also, consider leaving a printed copy of the rules in a visible location within the property. If necessary, you can also send gentle reminders via Airbnb’s messaging system, particularly if you notice any minor infractions.

  1. What are the consequences for guests who break Airbnb house rules?

Airbnb has a host protection policy in place for guests who break house rules. If a guest violates your rules, you can report the incident to Airbnb. Depending on the severity and frequency of the violations, consequences for the guest can range from warnings to removal from the Airbnb platform.  In certain situations, you may be entitled to charge their payment method to cover damages caused by the guest.

  1. What should I do if I discover that a rule has been broken?

If you discover a house rule has been broken, it’s important to address the violation promptly and professionally. Start by discussing the issue directly with the guest. If the violation is severe or the behaviour continues, escalate the issue by reporting it to Airbnb. Make sure to provide supporting evidence, such as photographs or messages, to substantiate your claim.

  1. Can I ask guests to leave if they break a house rule?

In extreme cases where a guest seriously or repeatedly violates your house rules, you have the right to ask them to leave. Always communicate these issues through Airbnb’s platform for record-keeping purposes. In severe cases, it’s advisable to involve Airbnb Support to mediate the situation and ensure it’s handled appropriately.

  1. How do I handle damages caused by guests not following the rules?

If a guest causes damage by not following the house rules, you should first document the damage thoroughly, e.g. with photos, videos and quotes for cleaning or repairs. Next, visit the Airbnb Resolution Centre and submit an AirCover for Hosts request. You must do this within 14 days of checkout. The guest will then have 24 hours to pay for the damages. If they are unwilling to pay, you can contact Airbnb Support for further advice. If you host through an Airbnb property management company, they will take care of everything for you.

  1. Can I blacklist Airbnb guests that break house rules?

While Airbnb doesn’t provide a formal “blacklist” feature, you can effectively blacklist a troublesome guest by declining any future reservation requests from them. To do this, you’ll need to turn off the Airbnb Instant Book feature, which lets guests book without requesting approval. If someone seriously violates your ground rules for guests, it’s also crucial to report these incidents to Airbnb. This ensures that the platform is aware of the guest’s behaviour and can take appropriate action, which could include suspension or removal of the guest’s account.

  1. How can Airbnb management companies help in enforcing house rules?

You can completely avoid the task of setting and enforcing house rules by working with an Airbnb management service such as 53 Degrees Property. We will take care of every aspect of hosting your Airbnb listing, such as:
  • Marketing the property and managing bookings
  • Setting standard house rules as well as any additional rules, and communicating these to guests
  •  Ensuring a seamless check-in/check-out process
  • Monitoring guest behaviour and responding to any issues
  • Reporting violations to Airbnb and managing follow-up actions
  •  Managing damage claims
  • Keeping the property clean and handling any necessary repairs
By outsourcing these tasks to a property manager, hosts can ensure their Airbnb rental properties are well-maintained while providing a high-quality guest experience.     

Get your FREE Airbnb Valuation below!

Please fill out the form below and we’ll get back to you within 24 hours by call or email with an estimate of what your property could make you as an Airbnb managed by 53 Degrees Property.

You have nothing to lose and everything to gain!

Write a review