The pre-req is the guest has some sense of self-awareness. 
1 Like
Yep, if they had that they tend to be considerate and be accommodating toward others.
Iāve noticed that as well. Some people like rules and structure(Iām one of these types) and when Iāve lived with flatmates who like a more maybe hippy lifestyle/or free from rules or less rules and just roll along one day at a time free from rules and just live how they see fit in the moment. I have clashed with these type of flatmates. I am very quiet, i never have friends come round all my socialising is done out of the house. But yep some of the hippy/or free spirited less structured flatmates I had, had people over all weekend just invited them over without telling me, theyād drink alcohol and smoke cigarettes, play some music, laugh, talk, cook food e.g. seafood even if it stinks, slam doors without even realizing, just live in there own world as if itās normal and free as a bird. Iāve noticed as you said Iāve had those types of airbnb guests as well. And I got some bad reviews from the Hippy or free spirit guests. They said I was too rule driven, and they felt oppressed at times and like a drill sergeant in the army was on there back half the time, I did reply and said why did they book with me, when they saw I had some house rules that may limit social freedoms and they said, they also made a mistake and didnāt realise i would be that strict and in future will avoid staying at hosts who have strict house rules and will stay in more free-sprited/less rules homes.
Iām more of the free spirit type as you describe your roommates. Everything you described sounds great to me except the cigarette smoking and the door slamming. My friends know that itās fine for them to drop by; they donāt have to call first. I will always welcome them and give them something to eat. Iām sure that many guests appreciate knowing exactly what to expect and exactly what is expected of them at your listing, just as many like my loose hosting style. As my old boss used to say, āFor every ass, thereās a seat.ā
2 Likes
Guests need to agree to the house rules before booking as per Air policy. A bullet point list is good. If something is extra important to you - put it in CAPS. Make sure the consequences of breaking rules are also clear (Broken rules may result in your reservation being cancelled"). Then, if something happens, send friendly reminder on the platform (āHey can you keep it down after 11:00ā). Try a āthree-strikesā approach. If they make it to the end of their reservation, then you can account for everything in the review, i.e. rate them appropriately. This way if you want to cancel for too many infractions, then you have a solid basis in your communication with the guest for your cancellation and also your review.
Thatās the thing with business - you learn as you go. And if guests donāt read rules and you know it, you have to adapt somehow. Itās hard to accept it, but gotta go with the flow. Iām always looking for ways to shorten my rules and descriptions.
3 Likes
Thats a new Airbnb policy agreeing to the Hostās house rules,I hope itās an effective policy.
Yep weāre different styles, I am a rules type of a guy and Iād stays in a rules type of house. Not the loose style, like you prefer and other hosts/guests. Diversity/differences is a good thing.
1 Like
That:s the problem here too, Steve. Many (MANY) of my guests slam doors and I can never understand why they should do this. But too many restrictions in our listings will stop some guests booking.
1 Like
Kent, I totally agree. Guests appear not to read. I had three guests check in yesterday. On their written confirmation it is written āNo access to kitchenā but one of the first questions was āwhere is the kitchen?ā. We need the patience of a saint with many guests.
1 Like
Oh godā¦my last ten-day guests slammed the door at least 20 times an hour and took cell phone calls on speaker at 6am. Just completely clueless!!!
I find this infuriating, Kona. I have incredibly quiet doors but guests will not use the handles. They just push and shove. I haven;t had cell phone problems yet but I;m sure they will come.
1 Like
I have to admit, when Iām a guest, I donāt read the listing thoroughly, either. 
ļø Iām generally looking for location.
You might want to consider not utilizing IB and confirm before accepting a booking that the guest has agreed to the reriterated House Rules starting that only quiet guests are accepted to include voices and door shutting.
Hello Tumo,
Iāve tried it but the bookings dry up. So I just have to tolerate the people who canāt be bothered to read even a few short paragraphs.
Guests who book via Instant Booking must verify that they have read and agree to abide by the house rules. Needless to say, they neither read nor abide by the house rules.
I would say itās just the reverse. When making an IB, a guest is explicitly shown the rules and asked to confirm theyāve read it.
EDIT: I see @EllenN has pointed this out already!
Iāll add that on the basis of guest agreement of rules during an IB, hosts can then cancel the booking if they can demonstrate that the guest broke the house rules without penalty.
I just dealt with this and was so tired of the constant slamming and loud talking after ten days I wanted to scream. I have done a lot of guest countdowns in my day but that was probably the worst.
Ken, Thanks for that information because as a host I always assume they have read the house rules and often wonder why are they asking me all of these questions that were already written in the house rules. I even have guest confirm they have read the house rules while booking but they still dont. I think I will leave a peice of paper in clear site for my guests to see the house rules. I sure wish they would read them though because when they ask me things like can I wash my clothes when they are staying only 1 night and I say no the washer and dryer is only available for guests who stay 3 nights or more I come off as a meanie. I have it so clear in the rules the jacuzzi is not available for use but every time a guest checks in they message me and ask how do I turn on the jacuzzi. I guess I need to remove pictures of my pool (which is available to guests) from my listing. I have a guest checking in tomorrow who acknowledged he read the house rules but now is very dissapointed he canāt use the jacuzzi. I offered him a full refund but he still wants to stay and despite how wonderful my home is it wont matter because he couldnāt use the jacuzzi and my review is going to be awful from him. Oh well I guess itās time to make things very clear right away when they book my home.
I put a letter on the bed, in large bold font listing the key house rules like NO SMOKING, No Noise etc but guests have still broken the no smoking rule and still smoked.