Standard house rules

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It would be a bit helpful to know what the previous rules were. I know some markets and properties can attract guests who plan to invite over more guests. I will not confirm a booking until a guest answers how many visitors there will be, and the ages of all children/infants. I also have outdoor security cameras. These are my house rules. On other sites I don’t use house rules at all. I send out a “house notes” document to them which includes instructions for reporting damage, wifi password, taking care of the counters, grill, and other things. Air guests also receive this. The best way to get guests to behave is to have them believe they will be charged for disrespect. My rental is 2 bedrooms, sleeps up to six, and is secluded from neighbors (if that gives you any perspective). I likely will never encounter a “neighbor” issue.

House rules:

We ask that guests are respectful of the home and treat it kindly with care.
Absolutely no smoking allowed inside. Do not smoke outside near open windows. If any smoking odor is found indoors, guest agrees to forfeit the damage deposit and pay for an additional night to relocate the next guests checking in.

Towels and linens must be respected. Plenty of separate towels are provided for make up removal, muddy shoes, spills, etc. If any bed linens/nice bath towels cannot be salvaged, guest agrees to be responsible for replacement cost. Guests are not to wash any laundry belonging to the cabin in order to try to hide stains. Houskeeping will wash all laundry.

Guest agrees that all members of the party will have read the house notes document and departure checklist that is sent after booking. The person making the reservation is responsible for all actions and damages caused by any member of their group.

The property has outdoor cameras facing the front deck/parking lot area, front of the waterfall, and zipline. This video footage is not shared and is recorded for liability reasons in the cases of a break-in, death, injury, guests sneaking in pets, guests disregarding the maximum occupancy allowed, and in no way infringes upon the guests’ expectations of privacy in these public areas of the property. Any attempt at disabling or obscuring the cameras is prohibited and may result in the guest being evicted without refund. The full deposit will be forfeited if any of the above are found. You will also be asked to leave the property immediately without any money returned. The swinging bench, grill area, and outdoor dining area outside dining room doors has no surveillance. There is no audio.

Guest agrees to not arrive on the property before Check in time (4 p.m.) and agrees to have all vehicles/people off of the property no later than Check out time (11 a.m.) unless there is prior written approval from owner.

Guest agrees to not remain on the property taking photos after check out time. Housekeeping MUST begin cleaning on schedule in order to prepare the cabin properly for the next guests.

Guest agrees to inform owner of any damages/repairs during the stay immediately so that owner has ample time to repair anything for current or next guests. You will not be charged for minor accidents and most likely the owner can repair things himself.

Please acknowledge you have read this (when booking) if you have children: Airbnb’s definition of “infant-friendly” and “child - friendly” only means that the host allows little ones. The cabin is not child proofed and does not cater to children, nor does it provide baby gear.

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Cabin is the best at writing clear rules that don’t become offensive at the same time.
Still shaking my head over the guests thinking it was OK to stay later taking photos.

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Since it is illegal in the U.S. to make any kind of discriminatory statement in advertising regarding familial status, I only list this in my house notes (re: children). After the guest books with small kids they will see it. But they cannot say I was discriminating as I send this to all guests after the booking, This is the section:

Children: Parents are to properly supervise their children at all times. The home is not child proofed and does not offer “toys.” There is a Dollar Store down the road if you need to purchase toys for your child. Family games are to be cared for and returned to their original location with all game pieces included. Please do not allow your children to use Directv manuals as coloring books. Drink coasters are also not to be used as toys/Frisbees. All horseshoes and croquet sticks/balls should be placed back in their original location and accounted for. Missing items will be charged to the guest. I wish I didn’t have to insert this section, but after several negative experiences I found it necessary to be clear on expectations.

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@CatskillsGrrl - I live in the US and have not heard “you do you”! And I’m the same age. Maybe it’s because I’m a Midwesterner and that’s an East Coast thing?

@Jan_J -
Welcome to the world we all share. Walking the line between protecting our investment and scaring off the guests from booking. We are ALL worried about those guests that will damage our homes or annoy our neighbors.

I’m with the majority here - the damages seem extreme, and I’d look for a different place to stay. The people that read the rules are usually the ones that follow the rules.

You CAN require a contract. However, it cannot conflict with AirBnB’s terms or AirBnB won’t defend it. Write the first house rule that you require a contract to be signed within 48 (or whatever) hours after they book or they will not be allowed to stay. Summarize the terms of the contract in the house rules. Then send a contract to the guest after they book (use an e-signature program like DocuSign) and give them 48 hours to sign and return. But at least that contract should be enough for your insurance company.

By the way, I recently noticed that AitBnB requires a police report for any damage that is over $300 US. And I think there are very strict requirements for you to report the damage (such as before the next guest checks in). So be sure to read the terms very carefully in case you have troubles in the future.

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@PitonView Here is a New York Times deconstruction of You Do You. Sometimes you just see it abbreviated as YDY.

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I first learned the phrase from the Jersey Shore cast but have never heard anyone actually say it in person. I thought it was vocabulary they created like “grenades.” - lol

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@cabinhost Nope. John Oliver uses it a lot, but tongue-in-cheek. Like most American culture worth a damn, and of enduring impact, it probably has its origins in black America.

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