House Rules
House rules set clear expectations for guests during their stay. Well-written rules protect your property, keep neighbors happy, and help prevent misunderstandings.
Setting house rules
- Go to Listings and click on the listing you want to edit.
- Open the House Rules tab.
- Set each rule using the toggles and choices provided -- you pick from ready-made options rather than writing free text.
- Click Save.
The rules are grouped into sections so they're quick to fill in.
What you can set
Timing & capacity
Check-in time, check-out time, and maximum guests are shown here for reference. They're read-only on this tab -- use the Edit link next to each to change them on the relevant tab (Check-in settings for times, Rooms for capacity).
Behaviour
Pick an option for each of:
- Smoking -- Not allowed, designated areas only, or allowed.
- Pets -- Not allowed, allowed, by arrangement, or assistive animals only. (Any pet fee is managed under Products & services, not here.)
- Parties & events -- Not allowed or allowed.
- Children -- Allowed, or not suitable (for places with stairs, water, or other hazards).
- Quiet hours -- Enable them and set a from/to time range.
- Shoes off indoors -- Required or preferred.
- Unregistered visitors -- Not allowed, allowed with your approval, or allowed.
- Candles & open flames -- Not allowed or allowed.
On departure
Quick checkout expectations: lock doors and windows, turn off lights, and turn off air conditioning (required or preferred).
Sustainability
How trash and recycling are handled -- standard bin or sorting required.
Custom rules
Anything not covered above can be added as a custom rule: give it a short name and an optional note. Add as many as you need.
TIP
Set only the rules that genuinely apply to your place. Leaving an option on "Not applicable" keeps your guidebook clean and avoids overwhelming guests with restrictions that don't matter.
Where house rules are displayed
Your house rules appear in several places:
- Booking process -- Guests see the rules when their booking is created.
- Automated emails -- You can include house rules in pre-arrival emails using Automated Emails.
- Guidebooks -- If you create a digital Guidebook for your property, house rules can be included as a dedicated page.
- Channel Manager -- When syncing to platforms like Airbnb or Booking.com, house rules are published alongside your listing.
Effective house rules
The goal of house rules is not a long list of restrictions, but to help guests have a great stay while respecting your property and neighbours.
- Set only what matters -- Leave options you don't care about on "Not applicable" so guests focus on the rules that count.
- Use quiet hours instead of vague requests -- A concrete 10 PM--8 AM range is clearer than a general plea to keep noise down.
- Add reasons in custom rules -- For a custom rule, the note field is a good place to explain why (e.g. "Keep the gate closed -- it borders a road").
WARNING
Make sure your house rules are consistent with your listing description and amenities. If your listing says "family-friendly" but your rules say "no children under 12," guests will be confused. Review both sections together.
Related
- Creating a Listing -- Set up a new property listing
- Check-in Instructions -- Help guests access your property
- Automated Emails -- Send house rules to guests before arrival
- Guidebooks -- Include house rules in your digital guidebook