Ground rules for guests

Editor’s note: This article was published as part of the Airbnb 2022 Winter Release. Information may have changed since its publication. Learn more about our latest product release.

Eight out of 10 Airbnb reservations in 2022 ended with a five-star review for the Host. You go to great lengths to take care of guests. We want to make sure we’re taking care of you too.

To help ensure guests respect your homes, we have some ground rules—a set of enforceable standards that all guests must follow. They’re simple and clear, and we show them to every guest before they book.

House rules provide a way for you to set expectations with guests from the start. With ground rules, any standard house rule you set can be enforced if you’re unable to resolve the issue directly with the guest.

You can choose from our list of standard house rules regarding:

• Pets
• Events
• Smoking, vaping, and e-cigarettes
• Quiet hours
• Check-in and checkout times
• Maximum number of guests
• Commercial photography and filming

If you have special instructions that aren’t included in the standard house rules, you can write them under Additional rules in your listing settings.

Your house rules are displayed prominently in four places: on your listing page, on the booking confirmation screen, and in both the Pack Your Bags email and the Arrival Guide that guests receive ahead of their trip.

Ground rules require guests to treat your home like their own. Guests should not leave your space in need of deep or excessive cleaning, such as carpets soiled by pets.

If guests cause damage that’s beyond normal wear and tear, we expect them to work with you to find a reasonable solution. We also expect them to pay reasonable requests for reimbursement if they’re responsible for damage, missing items, or unexpected cleaning costs.

If they don’t, you’re covered by Host damage protection, part of AirCover for Hosts.

If guests don’t follow ground rules, you can report it by giving the guest a low rating for cleanliness or house rules during the reviews process or by contacting Community Support.

For example, let’s say your standard house rules don’t allow smoking. If guests smoke at your place and you report the issue, we’ll hold them accountable.

Guests who repeatedly break standard house rules could be suspended or removed from Airbnb if the issues persist. If a guest violates your additional rules, we’ll support you in taking the appropriate next steps.

If you notify a guest that they’ve violated your house rules and it leads to the guest leaving a retaliatory review, you can dispute that review.

Information contained in this article may have changed since publication.

Host damage protection isn’t an insurance policy and is subject to these terms, conditions, and limitations. It doesn’t protect Hosts who offer stays in Japan, where Japan Host Insurance applies, or Hosts who offer stays through Airbnb Travel LLC. For Hosts who offered stays in mainland China, the China Host Protection Plan applies. For Hosts whose country of residence or establishment is within Australia, Host damage protection is subject to the Host Damage Protection Terms for Australian Users. Keep in mind that all coverage limits are shown in USD.

For listings in Washington State, Airbnb’s contractual obligations under Host damage protection are covered by an insurance policy purchased by Airbnb. Host damage protection isn’t related to Host liability insurance. Under Host damage protection, you’re reimbursed for certain damages caused by guests to your home and belongings if the guest does not pay for those damages.