Short-term rentals act as a home-away-from-home for your guests. You want visitors to feel comfortable when they stay with you so they keep coming back.
Even so, you don’t want them to violate any rules during their stay, because even though it’s “their” residence for the duration, you still own the property. And what they do could hurt your investment.
So, what rules should you put in place before your guests arrive?
Expectations for check-in and check-out. Prior to check-in, your guests need to have guidelines sent to them about the specifics. For example, do they need to arrive at a certain time, how do they let themselves in, and where do they park?
You need to provide your guests with check-out information as well. They need to know what time they should be out of the property. You also need to provide them with directions for what they are to do upon check-out. Do they need to put out the trash, return a key, or are there any other things they need to do prior to leaving? Make sure they have these guidelines upon checking in.
Rules that keep safety in mind. Create rules that will keep your guests and your property safe. Remind them to lock up before leaving the house. Make a list of rules for the pool, hot tub, bbq, deck, patio, and appliances. Be clear in your delivery of these rules to avoid miscommunication.
Set specific spaces as off-limits. If you have certain rooms or closets. that guests are not to go into, make sure that information is listed in your rules. It’s also a good idea to block those areas off.
List details about expectations for cleanliness. Let your guests know if shoes are not allowed inside the home. If they are not to eat in certain rooms, include this information as well. Tell your guests when the garbage is expected to go out. Let them know to tidy up after themselves. If you require some basic cleaning before they leave, provide that list, too.
Make a note of what the rules are regarding damages. Make sure your guests know what happens if something is damaged — what will they be accountable for and what will their security deposit cover.
Let them know if there are quiet hours. There may be quiet hours set by the neighborhood, or maybe you want to set a noise limit out of respect for those around you. Make sure your guests know what time quiet hours start.
Set rules for visitors and parties. Let your guests know if parties are not allowed. Furthermore, give them guidance on how many visitors they’re allowed to have (whether that’s during the day or for an overnight stay).
Consider other potential policies that can affect your property. You need to think clearly about the rules you want to put into place. For example, will you allow pets? If not, then put that in your rules list. What about smoking? Make sure that’s covered in the rule list as well.
Another thing to consider is your laundry facilities. Are guests permitted to use them? If so, let them know. Do you have any rules regarding washer or dryer use? For example, are guests only allowed to run two loads through? Parking is another thing to consider. How many cars will you allow on the property? Is there a specific parking area guests are allowed to use? All of the specifics regarding the property need to be outlined for your visitors.
Your rules need to be clear and detailed so guests know exactly what to expect. You can’t leave anything up to chance or allow guests to potentially misunderstand you. You have to be careful about how you word things. A list of rules that’s way too long could prevent guests from reading it. Make sure to include the necessary information, using bullets and headlines to break up the text.
Include information regarding what happens if your guests don’t comply with the rules stated in your guidebook. Guests should have a good understanding of what’s expected of them and what the next step is if rules aren’t respected.
Not a rule, but another thing you should include in your guide is contact information. Your guests will need to know who to contact if there is an emergency. So, make sure this information is provided.
We hope this blog helps you think about what you should include in your rules list. If you’d like further help managing your property, please reach out to us at PMI: Property Management Inc.. We’re happy to maintain your property and we’ll work hard to keep your guests satisfied.