Start with the house rules guests receive when booking. Use the same expectations in the guide, with wording they can scan during the stay. Include the details they need to follow each rule.
Be specific about the action
“Be considerate” is friendly but leaves the next step unclear. If quiet hours apply to your property, state the confirmed hours and the behavior you ask for. If there is a smoking rule, name the spaces it covers. Do not add a restriction simply because another property’s guide includes it.
Examples of clearer wording
- Instead of “Respect the neighbors,” consider: “Please keep music and conversations low in [the relevant space] during [confirmed hours].”
- Instead of “No mess,” explain your actual waste arrangements: “Put [waste type] in [the correct bin].”
- Instead of “Pets must behave,” state the specific arrangements you have agreed: “[Your applicable pet rule, location and any agreed limitations].”
- Instead of “No extra people,” use the exact visitor arrangements agreed for the booking.
Put details where guests expect to find them
Keep everyday equipment instructions in the house guide, departure tasks in check-out and the rules themselves in one short section. Repeating the same restriction in several sections makes maintenance harder and can leave conflicting versions after an edit.
Use a calm tone and explain a useful reason
Give a short reason when it helps explain the request, such as keeping a shared path clear for neighbors. Keep the action easy to spot. A story about a previous guest usually adds little to the instruction.
Compare the guide with your booking information
- Check each rule against the information guests received when booking.
- Remove outdated requests and any text copied from another property.
- Confirm that times and locations are unambiguous.
- Do not introduce new charges or consequences in the guide.
- Preview the section on a phone before publishing.
Keep questions easy to resolve
Give guests a contact method you monitor if they have a question. Welcome Book Builder links to your contact details; it does not send or receive guest messages. Keep your usual booking conversation available.
A short house rules template to adapt
- Quiet hours: Please keep [activity] low in [the relevant space] between [confirmed hours].
- Smoking: [Your actual rule] applies to [the spaces it covers].
- Parking: Please use [permitted space] and keep [the shared route] clear.
- Waste: Put [waste type] in [labeled bin and location], following [your checked collection arrangement].
- Questions: Contact us through [your agreed booking or contact channel] if an instruction is unclear.
Use only the lines that match your property and existing booking arrangements. These examples help with wording; they do not create a complete rental agreement. Review any contractual or local requirements through the appropriate official or professional source.
What belongs in the house manual instead?
A rule states an expectation, such as which shared path must stay clear. An instruction explains a task, such as where a guest finds the bins. Put the short rule in House rules and the detailed process in the relevant house section. Link the sections when useful, and keep one clear version of each instruction.
Write equipment steps for the house manual
