The Host’s Guide to Vrbo House Rules (With Examples & a Free Template)

Running a vacation rental business requires more than just a great location and comfortable furniture. It requires boundaries. To protect your property and ensure a smooth experience for your guests, you need clear, concise guidelines.

While Airbnb often gets the spotlight, Vrbo remains a powerhouse for property managers, specifically those targeting families and longer stays. However, the platform operates differently, and your rules need to reflect that.

In this guide, we will cover everything you need to know about Vrbo house rules, including how to set them up, what to include, and examples you can copy. We’ve also included a free Vrbo house rules template to help you get your listing updated in minutes.

Don’t see the form to download the Vrbo house rules template? Click here.

What are Vrbo house rules?

Vrbo house rules are a specific set of conditions and policies that a host sets for their property. Guests must agree to these rules before they can book the rental.

Unlike general suggestions or a welcome book left on the kitchen counter, these rules are part of the contractual Vrbo rental agreement between you and the guest. They serve as your first line of defense against property damage, noise complaints, and misunderstandings.

How do house rules on Vrbo work?

House rules allow you to display what is and what isn’t allowed at your property prior to a guest inquiring or booking. Communicating these rules upfront helps you avoid awkward conversations or unexpected surprises during the guest’s stay.

Vrbo integrates these rules directly into the booking flow to ensure compliance. Here’s how guests encounter your rules:

On a listing

Your rules are displayed prominently on your property page. Potential guests can review restrictions (like “no pets” or “max occupancy”) before they even click the “book” button. This acts as a filter, weeding out guests who aren’t a good fit for your home.

Before a booking

When a guest attempts to book, they must review your rules again. They are often required to check a box acknowledging that they have read and agree to your specific terms. This digital signature is crucial if disputes arise later.

During your stay

While the digital rules are binding, savvy hosts also print a physical copy of the rules to place in the rental. This serves as a helpful reminder for guests once they settle in.

Why are house rules important for Vrbo hosts?

Setting boundaries isn’t about being strict—it’s about being professional. Clear rules empower you to run your business effectively.

Here is why detailed house rules are essential:

• Protection against damages: Rules regarding smoking, parties, and furniture movement provide a basis for claims if your property is damaged.
• Community relations: If your rental is in a residential area, strict rules on quiet hours and parking help maintain peace with your neighbors.
• Guest expectations: Guests appreciate clarity. Knowing exactly what to do with the trash or where to park removes anxiety from their travel experience.
• Filtering bad guests: If a guest plans to throw a party, seeing a strict “no events” rule with a hefty fine will likely deter them from booking your place.

Common Vrbo house rules examples

Struggling with what to write? You don’t need to reinvent the wheel. Below are common categories and specific Vrbo house rules examples that you can adapt for your listing.

Maximum occupancy

Vrbo guests are often groups or families. Be specific about headcount.

“Maximum occupancy is strictly limited to 6 people. Guests exceeding this number are not permitted without prior approval.”

“Visitors are allowed during the day but must vacate the property by 10:00 PM. No overnight guests other than those listed on the reservation.”

Parties and events

This is perhaps the most critical rule for preventing property damage.

“No parties or events allowed. This is a quiet residential neighborhood.”

“Strict noise policy: Quiet hours are observed from 10:00 PM to 8:00 AM.”

Pets

Be clear about your pet policy, even if it is just to say “no pets.”

“No pets allowed. Violation of this rule will result in an additional cleaning fee.”

“Dogs are welcome with a $50 pet fee. Dogs must not be left unattended in the home or allowed on furniture.”

Smoking

Is smoking allowed on your property? Make it clear whether it’s allowed, prohibited, or restricted to certain areas.

“This is a non-smoking property. Smoking is strictly prohibited inside the home.”

“Guests may smoke on the patio but must dispose of cigarette butts properly.”

Cleaning and checkout

What do you expect guests to do when they check out?

“Please load the dishwasher and start the cycle before checkout.”

“All trash must be bagged and placed in the outdoor bins.”

How to find house rules on Vrbo

As a host, you need to know where to input this data so the system can present it to guests.

How to add or edit house rules

If you are managing your listing directly through the Vrbo dashboard:

1. Log in to your host account.
2. Select your property.
3. Navigate to Rules and Policies.
4. Select House Rules.
5. Select your options for standard rules (max occupancy, minimum age, etc.).
6. Add custom notes for specific rules (up to 50 characters).
7. Click Save.

Note for Integrated Property Managers (PMs)

If you use vacation rental property management software (PMS) like Lodgify to manage your listings, do not edit your rules directly on Vrbo.

You must update listing content in your property management system. All required content must be complete before a listing can go live. If the listing status is still ‘incomplete’ after 48 hours of the listing’s export from your PMS to Vrbo, select Contact Us and notify Vrbo Integration Support.

Using software like Lodgify allows you to sync your house rules across all platforms (Vrbo, Airbnb, Booking.com) simultaneously, saving you time and ensuring consistency.

Using a Vrbo house rules template

Creating rules from scratch can be tedious. You want to sound professional, not aggressive, but you also need to cover your bases legally.

That is why we created a downloadable Vrbo house rules template. This template covers all the standard requirements, from check-in times to liability clauses. It is fully customizable, allowing you to fill in the blanks for your specific property amenities.

Why use a template?

• Consistency: Ensure you don’t forget critical policies like lost key fees or HVAC settings.
• Tone: Our template uses a voice that is firm yet welcoming, empowering you to enforce rules without scaring off good guests.
• Speed: Copy, paste, customize, and upload. You can be done in five minutes.

Learn more with our guide on how to optimize your Vrbo listing.

Start and grow your business with confidence

Setting clear house rules is a sign of a mature, professional vacation rental business. It shows guests that you care about your property and their experience.

Remember, you have the power to set the standards for your rental. Whether you are managing a single cabin or a portfolio of luxury condos, clarity is your best tool for success.

Download the template below, update your listings, and host with confidence.

Don’t see the form to download the Vrbo house rules examples? Click here.

The post The Host’s Guide to Vrbo House Rules (With Examples & a Free Template) appeared first on Vacation Rental Owners & Property Managers Blog – Lodgify.

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