Airbnb house rules: examples you can copy

Updated 3 November 2026 · 2 min read

Clear house rules protect your home, your neighbours and your guests' good mood. Written well, they don't scare anyone off: they reassure. Here are ready-made examples and how to present them.

Why house rules matter

House rules set expectations before guests even arrive. They prevent misunderstandings (“I didn't know we couldn't smoke on the balcony”), protect your relationship with the neighbours and give you a clear basis if something goes wrong. On Airbnb they appear in your listing, and guests agree to them when they book.

How to word them

• Keep it short. Five to eight rules are enough. Any more and nobody reads them.
• Explain why. “Please keep noise down after 10 pm, our neighbours have young children” is accepted far more easily than a flat ban.
• Stay positive. “Please…” works better than “It is forbidden to…”.
• Be specific. “No noise late” is open to interpretation; “quiet hours from 10 pm to 8 am” isn't.

Examples you can copy

Smoking

• This is a non-smoking home, including the balcony and windows. Thank you on behalf of the next guests!
• You're welcome to smoke in the garden. You'll find an ashtray by the back door.

Noise and neighbours

• Please keep noise down between 10 pm and 8 am: our neighbours are early risers.
• It's a quiet building, so please keep music and TV volume low in the evening.

Parties and visitors

• Parties and events are not allowed.
• Only guests named on the booking may stay overnight.
• Having friends over during the day? Just let us know first.

Pets

• Sorry, no pets.
• Well-behaved pets are welcome. Please keep them off the beds and sofa.

Rubbish and cleaning

• Please sort your rubbish: recycling in the blue bin, glass in the green one.
• Before you leave, start the dishwasher and take out the rubbish. No need to clean.

Safety and appliances

• Please lock the door and close the windows whenever you go out.
• Remember to switch off the air conditioning and the lights when you leave.

Rules hosts often forget

• The maximum number of guests, and whether babies count.
• Check-in and check-out times, and what happens with a late check-out.
• Parking: assigned space, visitors' cars.
• Fragile or risky amenities: pool, hot tub, fireplace, with their safety instructions.

Where to show your house rules

Put them in your listing so guests accept them before booking, then repeat them in your welcome book, in an easy-to-find “House rules” section. A discreet reminder in the right place also helps, like a small note by the balcony door about smoking.

If you host international guests, translate them: a rule nobody understands is a rule nobody follows.