Renting out a holiday home means opening the doors of a property that holds significant monetary and sentimental value to people you have never met. Trust, therefore, is the foundation of every successful holiday rental relationship. You will naturally want a set of house rules — but before you draft them, ask yourself a harder question: would you be comfortable staying somewhere with these rules? Guests are spending real money on their holiday, and they deserve the space to enjoy it.
Trust works in both directions. The best house rules are those that protect your property without making guests feel like suspects. Overly prescriptive rules reduce the likelihood of referrals and repeat bookings — and rules that are impossible to enforce without checking on guests every hour serve no practical purpose. In this article, we separate the realistic from the unrealistic.
Rules that are realistic and enforceable
Noise and peaceful enjoyment: This belongs in every rental agreement. Inform guests of any local noise ordinances or neighbourhood timings in advance, and include a clause specifying the penalties for violations — including what happens if a neighbour complains to you about disorderly or disruptive behaviour.
Maximum occupancy: Occupancy limits exist for safety and practical reasons, and guests should not take them lightly. State the limit clearly in the rental agreement, reinforce it verbally when screening guests, and specify the penalty for non-compliance. This is one of the few rules that can be meaningfully enforced through the booking and payment structure.
Visitors and guests of guests: A blanket ban on any visitors is both unenforceable and unreasonable. A more practical approach is to remind guests that friends and family are welcome during the day, provided the total number of overnight occupants does not exceed the agreed maximum. Frame this as a courtesy policy rather than a restriction, and most guests will respect it.
Pets: If your property is not pet-friendly, say so clearly in the listing and the rental agreement, and specify the penalty for non-compliance. If you do accept pets, set clear behavioural guidelines: no animals on beds or soft furnishings, waste bags to be used in the garden, no pets in the pool area. Guests who bring pets tend to be conscientious about them — but expectations must be explicit.
Cleaning standards at departure: Guests should leave the property in a reasonable state. Remove ambiguity by providing a printed checklist — placed somewhere visible, such as the bedside table or kitchen counter — covering how to dispose of rubbish, where to leave used linen, and where cleaning equipment is stored. Practical guidance beats vague instructions every time.
Furniture arrangement: Guests move furniture. Rather than prohibiting it, arrange the living room so that everyone has a clear sightline to the television and seating is comfortable. Provide generous cushions and floor rugs. Guests who feel comfortable in a space are less likely to rearrange it dramatically.
No smoking indoors: This rule is widely respected. Reinforce it with discreet "no smoking" signs in areas where guests might be tempted, and place one or two ashtrays on the balcony or patio — this redirects smokers to a designated outdoor area and reduces the risk of cigarette butts being discarded in the garden. Include the restriction in the rental agreement.
Rules that are difficult or impossible to enforce
No eating in the living room: If there is a television in the room, guests will eat in front of it. Rather than trying to prevent this, place coasters on every surface and use upholstery that is easy to clean. Accept that some light use of the living area for meals is inevitable and design accordingly.
No shoes inside the house: Unless you have a clearly designated shoe rack and a strong cultural norm supporting it, this rule will not be consistently followed. Invest in high-quality, easy-to-clean floor mats at every entrance and choose flooring that is durable and simple to maintain.
Do not take toiletries or small decorative items: Losses of this kind are relatively minor and infrequent. The most effective approach is to stock an appropriate quantity of consumables — calculated for the number of guests and length of stay — rather than an open-ended supply. Provide a property inventory on arrival so guests are aware of what belongs in the house; any shortfall at departure can then be deducted from the security deposit without ambiguity.
The goal is a rental agreement and house manual that protect your interests without creating a sense of surveillance or mistrust. A thoughtfully written set of rules — focused on the things that genuinely matter and presented with a welcoming tone — will generate more goodwill, more referrals, and ultimately more repeat business than an exhaustive list of prohibitions.