House Rules/Departure Rules

[Ruth413]

Hi All,

Questions is, when filling in the stars for House Rules on a review.  Is this with reference just to the House rules which are stated on your page or does it include departure rules left in the house manual ? 

I am now savvy enough to know that although when greeting guests, I ask them to read through the house manual as it contains important advice and help about the property that some guests don't actually do this.  But I have just had a flurry of guests who have departed and have done absolutely nothing and just walked out and some that have obviously read the requests but have opted not to do some of them.

Any clarification would be great. 

[Mike-And-Jane0]

@Ruth413 While it makes sense to measure the guest on everything I do think it is a bit rough if a host puts lots of extra requirements in a house manual available post check-in and then expects the guest to comply with them. At the extreme a host could ask for all the linen to be washed and ironed which would be very unfair to have a guest comply with.

Having said that a house manual saying please lock the door when you leave and turn the lights off is just basic common sense...

So in answer to your question.... It depends.

[Ruth413]

@Mike-And-Jane0   Many thanks for the reply.  Yep totally get the issue if you have a massive set of departure rules.  With mine, I have 5 in total.  2 have been added since Covid arrived and actually one of them I really hate having to ask the guests to do as it goes totally against my sense of hospitality but most guests are fully understanding.

1. If any dishes are dirty please load dishwasher and set off (I supply the tablets)

2. Please turn all lights and heaters off on departure.

3. Please put any bin bags/recycling in the outside bins. 

Post-Covid

4.  If not raining, please leave windows open on departure.

5.  Please put all towels and bed linen in black bin bag provided and tie top.  (This is one that I dislike asking guests to do)

Last set of guests didn't do any of the above.  Heaters on full, cottage fully closed up and smelling of dirty bins and all lights including outside lighting left on.  The other guests did all the Covid requirements and none of the others.  

So although, I don't normally mark people down on things unless it is something really bad,  I still can't work out if departure rules are classed as house rules.

[Anonymous]

@Ruth413 the House Manual is generally regarded as a resource for guests to refer to for their convenience, rather than a manifesto of demands. Unless you directly told them the night before checkout to refer to page X for the departure instructions, I wouldn't judge them harshly for missing some of the details.

Looking at it from the guest perspective, I really appreciate when a host makes the checkout process as quick and simple as possible. You already have everyone in the group rushing to shower, pack up, caffeinate, and tidy the house before the deadline, and perhaps you have an early train or flight to catch, so a checklist of extra chores doesn't necessarily leave the best final impression. If you're finding certain things repeatedly being left undone, it might be worth trimming down the expectations to the most easy and obvious stuff like loading the dishwasher and securing the door. 

[Linda108]

Looking at this issue from the guest perspective as suggested by @Anonymous is a good idea.  If you have never been a guest leaving a home you might need to speak with people who have been, including asking for feedback from your guests.  Personally, I think it is reasonable for a host to expect a guest to secure the home as a first priority which includes shutting down energy use and disposing of trash.  While it is helpful for a guest to tidy up, I think some hosts go too far.  It is always a good idea for a host to remind guests of the check out time and procedure via the message system.  That message can highlight the most important check out points, referencing the house manual for more details.  As to a review, unless you find gross disregard that would affect your willingness to recommend, you could rate at the 4 level and even provide a private message as to why the lower rating in an effort to make the guest aware.

[Lorna170]

@Ruth413   Departure rules should be guest centric, and should perhaps be things that they should be doing during their visit anyway;.  My house departure rules are in the Welcome Package, in the Credenza manual and posted on the kitchen wall in a pretty frame.  I have had no issues with guests successfully doing the following 

All bedroom linens may be left on the beds, towels may be left in the bathroom shower.  

Clear kitchen sink of all dishes, utensils, pots and pans, load and run the dishwasher.

Empty refrigerator; leave non-perishable donation items on counter.

Take out all kitchen and other trash to the garbage cans under the deck.

Clean up all pet refuse in yard and driveway.

Cover Hot Tub.  Secure with bungee cords.

Close and lock all doors and windows.

Please sign the guest book and have a safe journey home! 

[Ruth413]

Thanks for your feedback everyone.  I must admit this rarely happens here but my bug bear is the bins and recycling being left smelling inside as it is only 10 paces to the outside bins. My husbands is the lights and heaters.   I think this weekends guests were just those type of people.

[Amanda660]

I have very similar check out requirements to you - bins, heating, dishwasher, towels and windows. 

I too have the checkout info a folder in the kitchen but I send them a PM the night before thanking them for booking with us, hope they’ve enjoyed their stay etc and outlining the checkout drill. 

Generally it works very well but folks NEVER switch the heating off.  

[Helen3]

Why don't you laminate your checkout rules and put them on the fridge @Ruth413 

[Dora486]

I send a check out reminder message the day before and include anything I’d like to guests to do on departure there.  It seems to work for me.

[Ann72]

@Ruth413  Maybe tweak yours?  Shorter is better for guests in a rush to get out.

* Dirty dishes in the dishwasher

* Lights and heaters off

* Trash in the outside bin

Post-Covid

* Windows open

* Linens in black bin bag provided, top tied.