Homestay House Rules Generator

What to put in homestay house rules

Good house rules answer the questions guests would otherwise message you about. Keep them short, friendly and specific to your home. Most homestays cover the same basics:

• Timings. Check-in and check-out times, and quiet hours so neighbours and other guests can rest.
• Who can stay. The maximum number of guests, whether visitors may come in, and until what time.
• Smoking, alcohol and parties. Say clearly what is allowed and where. If smoking is fine on the terrace or in the garden, name the spot.
• Food. If your family does not want certain food cooked or brought into the house, say it politely and plainly.
• Pets. Not allowed, or allowed only when the guest asks first.
• Identity and safety. Photo ID for every guest at check-in, how keys and locks work, and who to call in an emergency.
• Caring for the home. What happens if something breaks, how towels and linen should be used, switching off the AC and lights, and how to sort waste.

For a deeper walkthrough of timings, early check-in and late check-out requests, read our full guide to homestay house rules, check-in and check-out.

How to share house rules with guests

Guests follow rules they have seen before they arrive. Share them in more than one place so nobody can say they missed them.

• In your listing. Paste the text version into the house rules section on Airbnb or any booking site, so guests agree to them while booking.
• On WhatsApp before arrival. Send the rules along with directions a day or so before check-in. A friendly message works better than a long lecture.
• Printed in the room. Frame the sheet near the door or keep it on the bedside table. A clean printed sheet looks professional and saves you repeating yourself.
• At check-in. Walk guests through the few rules that matter most to you, such as visitors or quiet hours, while you show them the room.

Mistakes hosts make with house rules

• Writing too many rules. A long list in capital letters feels unwelcoming. Keep only the rules you will actually enforce.
• Being vague. Phrases like “no late nights” mean different things to different people. Give a clear time instead.
• Hiding important rules. If something is a deal-breaker for you, such as food restrictions or no visitors, put it in your listing, not only on the wall.
• Mismatched rules. If the printed sheet, your listing and your WhatsApp message say different things, guests will pick the one they like best.
• Forgetting contact details. Guests should always know how to reach the host and which number to call in an emergency.
• Never updating them. Review your rules whenever something goes wrong, and print a fresh copy.

Still getting your property ready? Our homestay setup checklist for Goa covers what to arrange before your first guest.