Which house rule(s) do you take the most seriously?

[Laura2592]

We just updated our house rules to say, in unequivocal terms, that we take occupancy rules very seriously. I am exhausted by guests thinking they are a suggestion and not an actual rule. I have even had some people challenge me during the booking process that I have 2 bathrooms and therefore  should be able to squeeze in more guests than other hosts in the area who allow more people with one bathroom! Some hosts list sofas, air mattresses and extra cots in order to increase capacity and that is great, but we insist on keeping occupancy numbers 4 beings or less. We prefer guests book elsewhere if they are going to violate that rule, throw a "get together," bring their own air mattresses to allow people to crash, etc.

So what would you say is the house rule that is the one you take most seriously? Do you have a good way of reinforcing this to guests? What do you do if its violated?

[Colleen253]

@Laura2592 Occupancy is the most important one for me. I updated my rules over a year ago much like you've just done, after one particularly challenging incident. I have not had a problem since (knock wood, lol) so it seems to be working. Included in my rule is reserving the right to terminate booking with no refund if the rule is violated. The idea behind that is to deter those who may have plans to flout the limit, and to also give me leverage should I need it. I fully realize Airbnb may over rule 'no refund', but it matters not. My second rule asks for all guests be disclosed (to me directly in request message - not just to Airbnb) to support rule #1, and to act as my 'easter egg' of sorts. My 3rd rule discloses the security camera for further support.

If the occupancy limit were violated, how I would react would depend on a few things, but for an egregious violation, my house rules would ease the process of guest ejection.

[Laura2592]

@Colleen253  yes occupancy is definitely the most important for us as well. I am not sure why some guests seem to think its no big deal to bring a bunch of extra people. If I were having people over for dinner I would not expect my guests to bring 4 extra folks without telling me. I wouldn't have places set or even enough food. Same thing with our cottage. If we set if up for 2, we don't leave towels or extras for 4. Not to mention the liability of having undisclosed people on the property.

[Kelly149]

People just aren’t thinking that we’re providing a variable product, they think “it’s a house & I rented it, so what do you care what I do with it?” 

definitely frustrating

[Laura2592]

@Kelly149exactly. I don't think ABB does anything to dispel that either.

I have a friend who rents on hipcamp. We were talking the other day and she said she has only ever had 1 group in several years who brought more guests than stated. The CS at hipcamp was very supportive and the guests were asked to find a different place to go with no penalty to her. Its so different with ABB. Likewise hipcamp gives guests one poor review before they kick them off the platform. ABB is so desperate to maintain its top dog status it will throw hosts to the wolves over and over. But eventually people WILL migrate to different platforms where they can manage their property more reasonably. Or just get burned out and become a landlord/delist/sell to get away.

[Kelly149]

@Laura2592 Yep, I have family long term in our space right now & have VERY much enjoyed the break. 
ABB has definitely gone one way on the risk/reward calculation… seems like it’s bound to catch up someday. 

[Lisa723]

@Laura2592 quiet hours and no smoking inside are our most important rules. These are the ones whose violation is most likely to have long-term consequences for us.

[Emilia42]

Mine is no pets. No one has ever brought a pet that I am 100% sure of, so luckily I haven't had to deal with it. I've never really had a problem with people abusing occupancy limits. I've had people tell me at the last minute "oh, so and so will be joining." But I always appreciate their transparency and willingness to pay extra. Those who don't, I've caught just after booking and they cancel (thank goodness.)

[Elaine701]

Occupancy, no pets.. Yes, important. 

But be realistic. "House rules" are technically unenforceable. They aren't Airbnb rules, so Airbnb certainly won't enforce them. 

But most guests have no idea that they're unenforceable, nor any clue that Airbnb isn't really on your side. 

So, a completely acceptable diplomatic response might be to say that "if Airbnb finds out, you could be in for a lot of pain, and I don't want to do that to you. But I can, if you continue"... 

[BenkaandKeith0]

All of them. Started hosting 7 years ago with none and keep updating since. Annually which always align with a bad host. They seems to find us every summer. We take them all seriously (or we don't bother writing them). We've learned through several thousand guests that the reliable ones respect seeing the rules in place and they say it's great knowing ahead of time what is expected. Those who do not like them simply don't book (aka huge majority is discouraged anyway). Best of luck, must go now. You guessed it, updating the House Rules again. It's that time of the year 😛

[Debra300]

@Laura2592,

My spaces are small, so I don't often get requests to go beyond the occupancy limit.  (Too) Many of the inquiries that I get from locals (usually by phone) ask for the rate for one night or a few hours.  Last night I had a call, "How much does it cost for a night?"  We have three studios each with different prices.  The rates for locals are $XX, and we have a two night minimum.  "Well, we need two rooms tonight.  How much would that cost?"  That will be $XX for the Standard Studio, and $XX for the DeluxStudio.  "How much is it for just one night?"  Nothing, because we have a two night minimum.  "Oh, you wouldn't let us have it just one night?"  We have a two night minimum.  "Okay, goodbye".