What to include in your Airbnb “House Rules”
Disclaimer: Please don’t consider the information in this blog post article as legal advice. We are not accountants, lawyers or financial advisors, so please consult your own team of professionals about the topics covered in this post.
Having clear House Rules can help you set adequate expectations with your guests, and help you communicate what is expected of them during their stay at your property. The more clear you can be, the better protected you will be from less than pleasant situations that may arise. You may also consider including some important Safety Disclaimers along with your Additional House Rules.
Once you publish your listing on Airbnb, you will be able to access your full hosting dashboard, and you will be given the ability to manage and revise your listing’s House Rules. Click here to see how to add or edit the House Rules on your Airbnb listing.
First, you will have the option to set up some standard rules using the options provided by Airbnb. For example: Is your place suitable for children or infants? Will you allow pets? Is smoking allowed? Are events allowed? etc. Then, and most importantly, you will see an option to add your own "Additional House Rules". You will be able to write your House Rules in the provided text box.
Downloadable Template of Additional House Rules for a Short-Term Rentals
Linked below is an example of what Additional House Rules could potentially include for a listing on Airbnb, Vrbo, Booking.com or any short-term-rental listing and management platform. Every property is different, and there may be several things to add, modify, or remove for each different listing in order to make the House Rules more relevant to each space. If you’d like a pre-written template to use as a starting-point to help you write out your own House Rules, please feel free to download this guide and update the list as needed to make it relevant to your own short-term rental property.
You may also consider adding a disclaimer section to your House Rules. Below is an example of this:
DETAILED DISCLAIMERS & NOTICES
RENTER RESPONSIBILITY:
As the renter of this furnished property ([Listing Title]), you assume all reasonable responsibility for the care of said premises and its contents.
SAFETY & SECURITY:
Safety is your responsibility. There are inherent dangers in a desert environment (cactus, other flora, animals, extreme heat/cold, high winds, sun exposure, rocky and sandy landscape, etc.). Note the existence of a working fire extinguisher, located next to the fireplace.
Security shall be the responsibility of the guest while occupying the premises. Guests are advised to lock doors and windows when it is prudent to do so and every time the house is unoccupied.
PHOTOGRAPHY & VIDEO SHOOTS:
For photo or video shoots at [Listing Title], please inquire first. There are extra fees starting at $2,500. Ignoring this request will result in a charge against your security deposit.
PARKING:
The county permits us to host five total vehicles on the property. You must park in the driveway, in front of the garage. Please be aware, the garage is not available for guest use. Parking in unauthorized zones and/or parking of more than five total vehicles on the property may result in a fine.
EXTRA GUESTS & GUEST BEHAVIOR:
We do not allow unauthorized guests to sleep at the house. Breaking this rule may result in a fine. The renter is responsible for the behavior of his/her/their group. Loud or unseemly behavior that disrupts the quiet nature of this desert neighborhood or violates this agreement is grounds for being asked to leave. Anyone who has not been made known to rental agent as a member of the renter’s group is not permitted to stay onsite overnight.
PARTIES OR EVENTS:
In accordance with Airbnb’s Community Disturbance Policy, we do not allow guests to throw parties or events in our home. We greatly appreciate your compliance on this as we do not want any issues with our neighbors.
QUIET HOURS:
There is a strict 9pm curfew for any loud or amplified music, as per County ordinance. After 9pm, bright lights must be shut off, noise levels lowered and voices hushed. Please be respectful of our neighbors. We care about our neighbors and take this very seriously. Failure to follow this rule will result in your immediate eviction from the rental property, and you will forfeit all rent amounts paid for your reservation. You may also be subject to a fine.
SMOKING:
Smoking (of anything) is strictly prohibited inside the home. Smoking is however permitted in the outdoor spaces. All smoking debris must be cold and placed into a trash receptacle. If evidence is found that you or anyone in your party have smoked inside, an additional cleaning fee of $350 will be charged via the Airbnb Resolution Center, as well as a case being opened through Airbnb to assess any additional damages due to the smoke. In short, it's not worth it, just take it outside.
PETS:
We love animals! However, to preserve the integrity of our home and to avoid issues for guests who may have allergies, we unfortunately do not allow pets at our property. We apologize for any inconvenience and thank you for respecting that rule. If there is evidence of pets having been in the rental property, you will be asked to immediately vacate the rental property, and will forfeit all rent amounts paid for your reservation. You will be subject to a fine of $350 if you are found to have brought an unauthorized animal onto the property with you.
BROKEN ITEMS:
If, for any reason, you break an item during your stay, please let us know. We understand that accidents happen, but in order for me to fix or replace something for a future guest to enjoy, we will need to know that it is broken. I appreciate your honesty. If you come to us first, we are much more understanding about whether or not to charge for potential damage. An inventory count is taken prior to check-in and after each check-out; any unreported stained, damaged or missing inventory will be deducted from the security deposit.
STAINS / SPILLS:
To protect the beautiful white couch, we kindly ask that you please do not eat or drink on the couch. If there is a situation where an accident does happen, don't panic! We've got you covered with instructions for how to quickly fix the issue to limit serious damage. Should a stain occur, please first call me (doesn't matter the time of day, I will try to answer you). I can provide best advice based upon what the nature of the spill or stain is, and where it is located. As a general rule of thumb, always blot, don't scrub. There is stain removing spray located under the sink, and also a steam cleaning vacuum for upholstery in the hallway closet located near the three bedrooms on the left side of the home. Please only use a cap's worth of liquid soap in the machine. That will be plenty. The couch cushion covers are also removable and machine washable. Please do NOT use bleach and please do NOT put in the dryer. Air drying is best to ensure they do not shrink, or make any stain permanent. Thank you!
OUTDOOR JACUZZI & POOL AREA:
Please make sure to close the lid to the jacuzzi whenever it is not being used. There are straps with clips that allow it to stay firmly shut, in the event there is a wind storm. Please always use protective measures around the pool and jacuzzi, and NEVER allow children to swim unattended. NEVER bring glass or delicate objects that may break near the pool or outdoor jacuzzi or any areas where guests may walk barefoot. No running or jumping around the pool area is permitted. For sanitary purposes, we respectfully request that all children that are not fully potty-trained wear swim diapers.
By completing a rental booking at [Listing Title], you as the renter completing the booking, are acknowledging that your stay at the property involves risks that may result in serious bodily injury and/or death. Some of the risks include, but are not limited to, drowning, falling, sports injury, slips, trips, falls, cuts, adverse weather conditions, the acts or omissions of guests or visitors on the property during your stay, and the condition of the property. You also understand that the description of the risks listed here is not complete and that other risks or events that are known or unknown, anticipated or unanticipated may result in serious bodily injury and or/death. In consideration of being permitted to rent and stay at [Listing Title], you agree on your own behalf, on your family’s behalf, and on behalf of any and all guests, and invitees that you as the guest completing the booking are fully responsible for any and all risks of injury or death. By completing a rental booking at [Listing Title], you agree to indemnify and hold your short term rental host, property manager, cleaners, property employees, as well as the owner of the property harmless from any loss or liability which may result from your staying at the property.
FIREPLACE:
There is an indoor fireplace in the living room, however it is currently inoperative. Please do NOT attempt to start your own fire in the living room fireplace. Fire safety in the desert must be taken VERY seriously and it is critically important to both yourself, our neighbors and the surrounding area that you do so as well.
FIRES IN GENERAL:
Please do NOT for ANY REASON start a fire anywhere on the property. The desert is VERY DRY and fires can go up in an INSTANT and become extremely devastating. The area is also very windy and as such fires can travel at incredible speeds here. For the safety of both yourself and everyone in this neighborhood around you, please do not start any fires during your stay. You do not want to be the person who accidentally started a forest fire... I can assure you of that. When using the outdoor propane BBQ, please bring the fire extinguisher outside with you from the living room, so that in the unlikely event a fire were to occur, you're more aptly prepared to put it out quickly.
FIRST AID & FIRE EXTINGUISHER:
There are many spiny plants in the desert; if you are accidentally injured we have a first aid kit under the kitchen sink. In case of any fire-related accidents, a fire extinguisher can be located in the living room next to the fireplace. Please remember that the fireplace is inoperative and should not be used unless otherwise instructed.
MATTRESSES & BED BUG PROTECTION:
All beds and pillows are covered with a bedbug protector as well as an additional cover for water spills in order to keep your sleeping environment clean. The mattresses were brought brand new, and immediately covered with mattress protectors for safety. With the exception of the master bedroom, the mattresses in the home are ultra comfy memory foam beds. The master bedroom mattress is equally comfy, but just a spring styled mattress.
WILDLIFE:
There is a good deal of cactus around the area. For this reason. ALWAYS wear closed toed shoes outside. Do not touch the cactus, do not water the cactus. They are on a scheduled water maintenance program. Closed toed shoes are also especially important around the property because during certain times of year, there are also scorpions and tarantulas in the desert. Do yourself a favor and protect those feet! Additionally, it's important to always keep your eyes peeled for snakes (i’ve yet to see any on the property, but it's best to be careful). Mostly there are a lot of lizards, rabbits, mice, and squirrels. You may also see or hear some coyotes. Since they are present in the area, it's important to never leave any small children (or animals - although they are not allowed at this property) unattended.
CATASTROPHIC EVENTS & EMERGENCY EVACUATIONS:
If a natural catastrophe (hurricane, tornado, earthquake, flood, etc.) or any situation simply beyond our control impairs the vacation rental, [Listing Title] is not responsible for finding alternate lodging for the renter or for the renter’s financial losses related to transportation or alternate lodging. There will be NO REFUNDS OR CREDITS FOR EMERGENCY EVACUATIONS/WEATHER CONDITIONS. Therefore, we suggest you consider Travel Protection Insurance to secure your vacation investment and eliminate your financial risk. There will be no refunds of any kind for evacuations/weather conditions.
SURVEILLANCE:
Property may be subject to surveillance cameras in public areas to ensure guest safety.
