Airbnb’s Updated House Rules: What Hosts Need to Know

A recent Airbnb update streamlines how house rules are presented and enforced, introducing standardized options and a new section for reasonable requests. This change aims to reduce confusion and simplify listing management for hosts while clarifying expectations for guests.

What’s changing

• Standard rules and reasonable requests in one place
• In the Listing editor, hosts can now choose from seven standard rules and add reasonable requests, all within the same interface. Checkout instructions are no longer housed in a separate tab.
• Review and adjust your listing
• Hosts should review their current house rules to see how the changes impact their listing and make necessary edits.
• New rule options you can set
• Maximum overnight guests: Define the total number of guests allowed.
• Quiet hours: Specify times when noise should be minimized.
• Events: Indicate whether events are allowed at the property.
• Pets: State whether pets are allowed and any limits.
• Smoking: Clarify whether smoking, including vaping and e-cigarettes, is permitted.
• Commercial photography: Communicate whether professional filming or photography is allowed.
• Lock up at checkout: Note if guests must lock up on checkout and provide details about returning keys.
• Adding reasonable requests
• Beyond standard rules, hosts can add specific requests under a separate “Requests” section, covering instructions during a stay and before checkout.
• Guidelines for reasonable requests:
  • Dishes: Guests should not be asked to wash and put away dishes; you may request they place used dishes in the sink.
  • Laundry: Do not require guests to change sheets or start laundry; you may ask them to gather used towels.
  • Trash: Do not require guests to take garbage off-site; you may ask them to separate trash and recycling into designated bins.
  • Utilities: Do not bar guests from using amenities (e.g., air conditioning); you may ask them to turn them off at checkout.
• Practical considerations:
  • Most guests want to avoid unexpected chores. Requests that resemble tasks a cleaner would handle can negatively affect stays and reviews.
  • Reasonableness is assessed by listing type, stay length, and local factors. There may be exceptions based on specific situations (e.g., bear country trash containment, local water restrictions).
• Visibility and guidance:
  • If a request doesn’t align with policy, it will be highlighted in the Listing editor with tips for resolution. Airbnb may email hosts with guidance and offer an appeal, and guests may see alerts on the listing if issues go unresolved.
• Contracts
• Contracts are now allowed only for limited reasons (e.g., legal requirements, homeowners association rules, monthly rental agreements, Airbnb Luxe listings, or optional amenity agreements like golf carts).
• If you use a contract, upload it under Contracts in your listing settings. Note that Airbnb does not enforce contracts or require guests to sign them.
• Enforcing rules
• Guests are expected to follow house rules, and hosts can seek assistance from Airbnb for appropriate next steps if violations occur.
• Consequences can include cancellation of a reservation without penalties if a guest breaches a rule or signals intent to do so before check-in. Repeated policy violations may lead to suspensions or removal from Airbnb.
• Compliance and placement
• All house rules and requests should appear in the House Rules and Requests section of the listing.
• Do not place additional rules elsewhere in the listing, in messages, or on physical signs within the home.

Practical takeaways for hosts

• Audit your listing: Review current house rules and align them with the new standard options and the reasonable-requests framework.
• Set clear expectations: Use the seven standard rules to cover essential limits (guests, quiet hours, events, pets, smoking, photography, and checkout security).
• Use “Requests” thoughtfully: Add reasonable, clearly stated tasks only if necessary, and consider guest experience and potential impact on reviews.
• Consider local constraints: Be mindful of regional regulations, weather, and environmental conditions that may justify certain requests.
• Documentation and compliance: Ensure all rules and requests are visible in the House Rules and Requests section of your listing to avoid miscommunication.

For hosts who want to dive deeper, Airbnb’s official resource provides detailed guidance and examples to help you implement these updates effectively while maintaining a welcoming guest experience.