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House rules

Message templateFor guestsSend: On your listing before booking, then restated before arrivalBy HostCalmlyUpdated Oct 30, 2026How we write templatesReport an error

Short answer

Use a house rules template to restate the rules shown on your listing before guests book, including maximum guests, quiet hours, trash, smoking, pets and the check-in and checkout times. Keep each rule to one plain sentence. On Airbnb, house rules must be disclosed on the listing; a message can repeat them but not add new ones.

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Hi [Guest name], Here are the house rules for [Rental name]. They're the same ones on the listing, gathered in one place so they're easy to find. - Check-in is from [Check-in time], and checkout is by [Checkout time]. - The home sleeps up to 4 guests. Please keep your group within that number. - Quiet hours are [Quiet hours], so neighbors can rest. - Parking: [Parking] - Trash and recycling: [Trash and recycling] - Smoking: [your smoking policy] - Pets: [your pet policy] - Parties and events: [your party and event policy] If anything here is unclear, or you're not sure whether something is allowed, just ask. I'm happy to help. Thank you for taking good care of the place. [Your name]
11 parts still in [brackets]

When to send it

Write the rules into your listing first, so guests see them before they book. Then send this message with or just before the check-in instructions, as a convenient summary. It should never introduce a rule the guest hasn't already seen.

Tips

  • Put every rule in your listing's house rules section first. Airbnb's Reasonable house rules and requests (opens in a new tab) policy says rules must be disclosed in the designated section of the listing at booking, and for reservations booked on or after Nov 20, 2026, hosts may not communicate new rules or requests after booking, including in messages or signs.
  • The same policy says rules must be reasonable and that hosts may not impose fines or other penalties on guests. Leave out "fee" or "fine" language.
  • Write pet rules with assistance animals in mind. Airbnb's Accessibility Policy (opens in a new tab) says hosts can't treat a service animal as a pet, refuse the booking or charge extra fees because of it.
  • Airbnb's Community Disturbance Policy (opens in a new tab) does not allow open-invite parties or disruptive gatherings, regardless of size. Your party rule can simply match it.
  • Give a short reason when it helps. "So neighbors can rest" lands better than a bare rule.

Frequently asked questions

Where should house rules go on Airbnb?

In the house rules section of your listing, before guests book. You can repeat them in a message for convenience, but the listing is where they need to appear.

Can I add a new house rule after a guest books?

For Airbnb reservations booked on or after Nov 20, 2026, the policy says hosts may not communicate new house rules or requests after booking. Update your listing so the rule applies to future guests.

Can I charge a fee for breaking house rules?

Airbnb's Reasonable house rules and requests policy says hosts may not impose fines or other penalties on guests. If something is damaged, handle it through the platform's own tools, such as Airbnb's Resolution Center.

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