How To Craft Effective Airbnb House Rules: A Guide for Hosts

Setting up your Airbnb for guests is exciting. You’ve picked the decor and stocked the essentials. But what about your Airbnb house rules? These are incredibly important ground rules. Good Airbnb house rules can make the host experience smoother for everyone and help if a guest violates a rule.

Think of your rules as a friendly guide for your guests. They help folks understand how to care for your space and the standard house rules you expect them to follow. This understanding can protect your vacation rental. It also helps avoid confusion or disagreements down the road, especially if you need to request payment for damages through the resolution center. When expectations are clear, everyone has a better time, and it can lead to an honest review.

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No Parties or Events

It may seem obvious, but you must include this in writing in your house rules. Airbnb’s policy already bans parties, but clearly restating it in your listing adds protection. Spell it out: no parties, events, large gatherings, or unregistered guests allowed.

To enforce this, consider using noise-monitoring devices (which detect decibel levels, not conversations) and exterior security cameras—just be sure to disclose their locations and follow local laws and insurance requirements. Being transparent not only deters rule-breakers but also strengthens your case if issues arise.

Local Guest Policy

To prevent misuse, especially parties, you can state that you reserve the right to decline bookings from local guests. This isn’t to exclude locals entirely—it’s a prompt for conversation.
Ask locals to message you before booking, instead of using Instant Book. This lets you learn the reason for their stay and screen appropriately. Last-minute renovation stays or unclear motives can raise flags, while insurance stays or planned renovations are often valid.

Security Cameras & Guest Limits

Airbnb requires you to disclose any security cameras. Never place them inside living areas or bathrooms—only exterior locations, which must be listed in your rules.
Also, state your maximum guest limit clearly. Many cities enforce occupancy limits, and referencing your license or local code adds authority. Mention consequences for violating guest limits (e.g., fines, cancellations, resolution center claims). Cameras can help verify compliance if needed.

Wondering when and where you can have security cameras? Be sure to check out Airbnb’s rules and regulations. We’ve covered it here: The Ultimate Guide To Airbnb Exterior Cameras.

Smoking, Drugs, and Firearms

Be explicit about your stance. Most hosts prohibit smoking, drugs, and firearms.
Specify that all smoking—including vaping and marijuana—is banned inside, and define any outdoor areas where smoking is allowed. Mention fees for excessive cleaning due to smoke.
Illegal drugs should be banned entirely. For firearms, decide if they’re allowed and clarify procedures if one is accidentally left behind.

Quiet Hours & Property Rules

Clearly post quiet hours, especially in multi-unit buildings or residential areas. This helps manage guest behavior and gives you grounds for intervention if issues arise.
Also include rules for things like trash disposal, recycling, and parking. Are there designated spots or street rules? Mention specifics to avoid fines or conflicts with neighbors.
If your property has amenities like a pool, note any use restrictions (hours, glass containers, etc.) to ensure safety and preserve shared spaces.

Pet Policy

If you allow pets, be specific. State any pet fee (flat or per pet), and whether pets are allowed on furniture. Suggest guests bring pet linens and consider requiring crating when pets are left alone.
Also clarify what happens if unauthorized pets are brought—potential fees or damages. Be sure your rules align with Airbnb’s service animal guidelines, and note any breed or size restrictions, if applicable. Check out our Pet Friendly Checklist for everything you need to welcome those furry friends.

No Commercial Use Without Prior Approval

Guests may not use your property for commercial purposes—this includes photo shoots, video productions, business meetings, or any activity beyond a typical stay. If guests want to use the space this way, they must get your written approval in advance.

Why this matters: Commercial use can expose you to liability and may not be covered by your short-term rental insurance. You may need special permits or certificates of insurance. Plus, commercial bookings typically require higher rates.

We’ve seen surprise setups like boudoir photography shoots and professional crews bringing in gear without notice. Security cameras (disclosed properly) and good neighbor relationships can help flag this. If guests violate this rule, you’ll have a clear basis to report it.

Include this in your house rules to protect your investment and ensure fair use of your property.

Amenity Limitations & Refund Policy

Things break. Internet goes out. The hot tub may stop working. Having an amenity refund policy in your Airbnb house rules sets expectations and protects you from scrambling to solve disputes last-minute.

We separate essentials (like heat, AC, or hot water) from amenities (like Wi-Fi, a pool, or a sauna). Essentials must be fixed ASAP. For amenities, we state what’s offered and what happens if they aren’t available.

Example: If the hot tub breaks and we can’t repair it quickly, we offer a per-day refund. With Wi-Fi, we clarify it’s offered as a courtesy, and we don’t refund for outages caused by the service provider.

If you charge for pool heat, be upfront about the fee and outline refund terms if it fails.

Consumables: For short stays, we stock items like coffee and toilet paper. For longer bookings, guests are responsible for restocking once the initial supply runs out. This should be in your rules to avoid misunderstandings.

We use HostGPO to stock many of our consumables! Check out HostGPO and our other trusted partners right here.

No Mail or Package Deliveries

For safety and liability reasons, guests may not send mail or packages to the property. We implemented this after learning about serious issues in the STR community involving illegal activity via mailed items.

If guests need to receive something, point them to nearby Amazon Lockers or UPS locations in your house manual. This also protects you if a valuable item (like a check) goes missing—you’re not responsible.

Most guests understand when this is clearly explained in the rules or through Airbnb messages.

Booking Confirms Agreement to All House Rules

Your final rule should be a simple but powerful statement:
“By booking this property, guests confirm they have read and agree to all house rules.”

No, it’s not a legal contract, but Airbnb recognizes this acknowledgment. It can help if you need to enforce a rule, file a resolution, or contact support. It sets expectations upfront and encourages guests to take your rules seriously.

Include this in your listing and your welcome messages. It helps smooth over future issues and gives you something to refer to if disputes arise.

Final Thoughts

Clear Airbnb house rules are a critical part of hosting. They set expectations, protect your property, and reduce the need for intervention from Airbnb’s support team.

From commercial use to package deliveries and amenity policies, covering these topics helps ensure smoother stays and better reviews. Customize your rules to fit your space, and always keep them simple, fair, and easy to understand.

A solid rules template helps new guests feel confident—and helps you avoid surprises.

Calling All Hosts: The Hosting Handbook

If you loved this post we invite you to check out our one-stop-shop solution for hosts everywhere —the Hosting Handbook! While you can download all the easy to consume, step-by-step tips we use in our own hosting business and create the ultimate “book” the Hosting Handbook is so much more than that! If you’ve consumed or content for years (or just met us!) this is the reference guide for all the amazing and tactical tips we have for running a profitable and, more importantly hospitable, short-term rental. How do we price for pets? How do we fold our towels? What sheets do we buy? How do I purchase a short-term rental? All these questions (and more!) can be answered in the Hosting Handbook! Check it out now!

Happy Hosting!