Some parking spots are easy: a driveway right off the street with a house number on the front. Others take a little more explaining. Rear spaces off an alley, gated lots, shared driveways and tandem spots all need clear written directions, or your guest will end up circling the block.
Write directions from the guest’s point of view
Imagine the guest has just turned onto your street. Write what they should look for and do next, in order. Use landmarks they will actually see, such as a corner store, a color, a fence or a street sign, rather than compass directions alone.
A strong set of directions might read like this: “Coming from Main Street, turn right onto the alley just after the brick church. Our space is the third gravel pad on the left, marked with a blue reflector.”
Alley and rear spaces
Alleys can be hard to find, and some look similar to private drives. Tell guests:
- Which cross street to enter the alley from.
- How many garages or spaces to count before yours.
- Whether the alley is one way or narrow.
- What the space looks like from the alley, with a photo.
If the alley has potholes, low branches or tight turns, mention them. Guests appreciate the warning.
Gates and access codes
For gated spaces, explain how the gate opens and how long it stays open. If there is a keypad, describe where it is and whether the guest needs to pull close to reach it. Share codes only through the platform’s private messaging or booking confirmation, never in the public listing.
Change codes on a regular schedule if many guests use the same space, and tell guests what to do if the gate does not open, such as a backup contact method.
Shared driveways
A shared driveway needs extra care. Your guest must know exactly which part is yours and that the shared lane must stay clear. Mark your space if you can, and mention your neighbor in the directions: “The left side of the drive belongs to our neighbor; please keep it fully clear.”
Before you list a space on a shared drive, talk with the neighbor and check any easement or deed language. A friendly conversation up front prevents conflict later.
If a guest will park behind another car or will be blocked in, say so clearly and explain how departures work. Tandem spots can work well for long bookings but cause frustration if a guest expects to leave whenever they want.
Test the directions
Hand your written directions to someone who has never visited and ask them to follow them without help. Notice every moment they hesitate. Then rewrite that part. Clear access instructions are the most valuable sentences in your listing, and they are worth getting right.
A Fill-in-the-Blank Template for Access Directions
When the space is anything other than a simple front driveway, a consistent structure helps guests follow along. Try writing your directions in this order:
- Approach: “Coming from ______, turn ______ onto ______.”
- Landmark: “You’ll pass ______ on your ______.”
- Turn-in point: “Turn in at ______. It looks like ______.”
- The space: “Your space is ______, marked with ______.”
- Keep clear: “Please keep ______ open at all times.”
- Leaving: “To leave, ______.”
- If something is wrong: “If ______, message us through the app.”
Keep each line short. A guest may be reading at a stop sign or with a passenger reading aloud, so one clear instruction per sentence works better than a long paragraph.
The last two lines are the ones hosts most often forget. Guests think about arriving; hosts should also think about how the guest gets out and what happens when a step does not go as planned.
Thinking Through Departures
Many access problems happen at the end of a booking, not the start. A guest might arrive in daylight and leave after dark, or arrive when the alley is empty and leave when it is lined with trash bins. Consider:
- Gates that open differently from the inside. Some gates use a sensor, a button or a pull cord on the exit side. Explain it clearly.
- One-way alleys. If the guest must exit in a different direction than they came in, say so and name the street they will come out on.
- Backing onto a busy road. If pulling out forward is safer, suggest the guest back in on arrival.
- Collection days. If bins line the alley on certain mornings, warn guests who will be leaving at that time.
Handling Codes and Keys Responsibly
Gated and garage spaces depend on some kind of credential: a keypad code, a remote, a key or an app. A few habits keep that access secure without making life hard for guests.
Give guests their own code when possible
Some keypads and smart gate systems allow temporary or guest-specific codes. If yours does, a separate code for each guest or each booking lets you turn off access when the booking ends.
Avoid handing out physical remotes
Remotes and keys can be lost or forgotten in a guest’s car. If you must use one, arrange a clear return process and consider whether a keypad would be simpler in the long run.
Send the code at the right moment
Sending the code in the confirmation message is common. Some hosts also resend it on the day of arrival so the guest does not have to search back through old messages while sitting at the gate.
Questions Readers Ask
What if the alley has no name on maps?
Many alleys are unnamed or labeled oddly in mapping apps. Describe it by the streets on each end, such as “the alley between First and Second, entered from Oak,” and include a photo of the entrance.
How do I describe a space in a large shared lot?
Use row letters, numbers painted on the pavement, nearby light poles or building doors as reference points. If spaces are not numbered, a photo with your space marked is especially important.
Should I give guests my neighbor’s name?
Not without your neighbor’s permission. It is usually enough to say which side belongs to them and must stay clear.
What if a guest still cannot find the space?
Ask them to describe what they see, then guide them from there. Afterward, update your directions with whatever detail would have helped, so the next guest does not hit the same snag. Over time, each small fix turns your directions into something almost anyone can follow on the first try.
