Every host eventually writes house rules. The difference between rules that work and rules that get ignored usually comes down to length, clarity and tone. A guest reading your listing on a phone, a block away from your house, will not study a long list. They will skim it.
Keep the list short
Aim for five to eight rules. If you have more than that, look for ones you can combine or drop. Each rule you add makes the others a little less likely to be read.
Put the most important rule first. For most hosts, that is where exactly to park and what not to block.
Be specific instead of general
Compare these two rules:
- “Please be respectful of the property.”
- “Park on the left side of the driveway. The right side is for our car and must stay clear.”
The first sounds polite but tells the guest nothing. The second tells them exactly what to do. Specific rules are easier to follow and easier to point to if there is a problem.
Rules most hosts include
Every property is different, but these topics come up again and again:
- Where to park. Which side, how far forward and whether to pull in or back in.
- What to keep clear. Sidewalks, garage doors, a neighbor’s driveway or a shared lane.
- Arrival and departure. Remind guests that the booking has a start and end time and to leave on time.
- Engine and noise. No idling for long periods, no loud music, especially late at night.
- Personal space. Guests should not enter the yard, porch or garage unless that is part of the booking.
- Trash. Take everything with you.
Explain the reason when it helps
People follow rules more willingly when they understand why. “Please do not block the sidewalk” is fine. “Please do not block the sidewalk; our neighbor uses a wheelchair and needs it clear” is much more likely to be respected.
You do not need to explain every rule. Use reasons for the ones that might seem arbitrary.
Rules written in all capital letters or full of warnings can make guests feel unwelcome before they arrive. A calm, direct tone works better. Start with a short welcome line, then list the rules plainly.
Avoid threatening language about towing or fees in your rules. If your platform has its own policy on overstays or violations, refer to it rather than inventing your own penalties.
Test and revise
Ask a friend who has never been to your house to read your rules and park in your spot. Watch where they hesitate. After your first few bookings, read your reviews and messages. If a question keeps coming up, the answer belongs in your rules or your access directions.
Good house rules are never really finished. They get better each time a guest shows you what was unclear.
A Sample Set of Rules You Can Adapt
It is easier to edit a draft than to start with a blank page. Here is an example for a simple two-car driveway where the host keeps one side for their own vehicle. Change the details to match your property.
Welcome, and thanks for booking. A few quick notes so your visit goes smoothly:
- Please park on the left half of the driveway, nose in, pulled up to the orange marker.
- Keep the right half and the sidewalk fully clear. Our car leaves early, and neighbors walk strollers past every morning.
- Your booking runs from your start time to your end time. If you need more time, please message us before it ends.
- Please don’t idle the engine or play music while parked, especially after 9 p.m.
- The yard, porch and garage aren’t part of the booking.
- Please take any trash with you. Thank you!
Notice what this sample does. It opens with a welcome, puts parking location first, gives a reason for the rule most likely to be broken, and closes on a friendly note. It fits on one phone screen. That is the target.
Where Your Rules Should Appear
A rule only works if the guest sees it at the right moment. Rules buried in a long listing description are often missed. Think about placing them in more than one spot:
- In the listing, so guests know what they are agreeing to before they book.
- In the booking confirmation or check-in message, so the rules are fresh when the guest is on the way.
- On a small sign at the space, for the one or two rules that matter most at the moment of parking, such as “Guest parking: left side only.”
You do not need to repeat the full list everywhere. The listing can hold the complete version, the arrival message can repeat the top three, and the sign can carry just one.
Common Mistakes That Make Rules Fail
Writing for the worst guest
After one bad experience, it is tempting to add a rule aimed at that single person. Over time, the list becomes a record of every past problem. Most guests are ordinary people who want to follow the rules. Write for them, and handle the rare difficult case through the platform.
Rules that contradict the directions
If your rules say “pull all the way forward” but your access directions say “stop at the gate,” guests will be confused about which to follow. Read your rules and directions side by side and make sure they agree.
Rules you cannot see being broken
A rule you have no way of noticing or enforcing still has value if it sets expectations, but be honest with yourself about which rules are truly essential. The ones that protect access, safety and neighbors deserve the top of the list.
Leaving rules unchanged when the property changes
If you add a fence, repave, or start sharing the driveway with a new car, your rules may need updating. Make reviewing them part of any change to the space.
Questions Readers Ask
Should I include quiet hours?
If guests may arrive or leave late, a short quiet-hours line is helpful. Keep it simple, such as asking guests to keep doors and voices low after a certain hour.
What if a guest ignores a rule?
Start with a calm message that restates the rule and the reason. Many problems are honest mistakes. If the issue continues or creates a real problem, use the platform’s support process rather than escalating on your own.
Can I ask guests to back in?
Yes, if it matters for your space, such as a tight exit onto a busy street. Explain why, and guests will usually be glad to do it.
How often should I revise the rules?
A quick look each season, and again whenever the same question shows up in two or more guest messages, keeps them current without much effort.
