House rules for your holiday home, with an example
Which rules to set, how to phrase them kindly and where to have them confirmed. With a sample text to copy.
Why house rules
House rules prevent arguments: about numbers, parties, pets, smoking and departure time. Have the guest confirm them at online check-in; then you can fall back on them later.
What belongs in them
Maximum number of guests and no visitors after a certain hour. Smoking, pets, parties. Check-in and check-out time. Quiet between 22:00 and 08:00. What the guest does on departure (rubbish, dishwasher, key). What happens in case of damage.
Tone
Write the way you speak. “We ask you to …” works better than “It is forbidden to …”. Start with what the guest can do and what will make them happy.
Example
Welcome to our home. We hope you enjoy it as much as we do. A few agreements: the house is for a maximum of four guests; visitors are welcome until 22:00. We do not smoke indoors. Our neighbours like their sleep; between 22:00 and 08:00 we keep it quiet. On the day you leave, put the rubbish in the bin, switch on the dishwasher and leave the key in the box. If something has broken, let us know; it happens, and we will sort it out together.
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