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Free · 20 spots · closes Nov 19

Want me to check your house rules for you?

I'm Younes, founder of Staysmith. Send me your Airbnb listing and I'll personally check your house rules and checkout requests against the Nov 20 policy, then email you a rewritten version. Free for the first 20 hosts.

  1. Email your Airbnb listing link (or paste your house rules).
  2. I check every rule and checkout request against the Nov 20 policy.
  3. Within 24 hours you get a rewritten version you can paste in.
Email me your listing link

Or email support@staysmithco.com with the subject “Nov 20 rules check”. Not legal advice. Staysmith is independent and not affiliated with Airbnb.

Free · Nov 20 Rewrite Kit

Old checkout lines, and what to write instead.

For Airbnb bookings made on or after November 20, 2026. Copy the new line, paste it into your listing, done.

How it works now: Airbnb has 7 standard house rules: maximum guests, quiet hours, events, pets, smoking, commercial photography and lock up at checkout. Everything else is a request. Guests must follow rules and are encouraged to follow requests. Both have to be in your listing when the guest books, not added later by message, sign or binder.

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The whole kit as a printable PDF, plus a short heads-up if Airbnb changes anything before Nov 20. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.

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1. Old line → new line

Based on Airbnb's own examples of what is and isn't reasonable.

“Please strip the beds before you leave.”
OutDelete it. Stripping beds moves to the turnover.

Airbnb lists stripping sheets as something hosts shouldn't ask for.

“Please start a load of laundry.”
OutPlease leave used towels in the bathroom.

Gathering used towels is one of Airbnb's own examples of a reasonable request.

“Wash, dry and put away all dishes.”
OutPlease put used dishes in the sink.

Washing dishes is out. Dishes in the sink is Airbnb's own example of what's fine.

“Load and start the dishwasher before checkout.”
RewritePlease put used dishes in the sink.

Running the dishwasher is a washing task. The sink version is the safe one.

“Take all trash to the dumpster down the road.”
OutPlease sort trash and recycling into the indoor bins.

Taking garbage off-site is out. Sorting into designated indoor bins is fine.

“Keep the AC at 74° or higher.”
RewritePlease turn off the AC when you leave.

You generally can't restrict a listed amenity, but you can ask guests to turn it off at checkout.

“$50 fee if you check out late.”
OutCheckout is by 11 am. Need longer? Message me and I'll check.

Hosts can't fine guests. State the time and offer a way to ask.

“Full house rules are in the binder on the counter.”
RewritePut every rule and request in your listing. The binder only repeats them.

From Nov 20, rules and requests belong in one place: the listing at the time of booking.

“Please reply with your email and phone number.”
OutDelete it, unless a law or your HOA requires it.

Asking for contact details is restricted except where the law or an HOA requires it.

“Please sign our rental agreement before arrival.”
RewriteOnly if it's required by law, an HOA, a monthly stay or an optional amenity.

Separate contracts are now limited to those cases.

“Put trash in the bear-proof bin outside.”
CheckBecause of bears, please put trash in the animal-proof bin by the garage.

Airbnb says local exceptions like bear bins may be reasonable, but its checker has flagged this line in tests. Keep the reason in the wording and appeal if it's flagged.

“Quiet hours 10 pm to 7 am.”
KeepKeep it. Set it as the Quiet hours standard rule.

One of Airbnb's 7 standard house rules.

“No parties or events.”
KeepKeep it. Set it as the Events standard rule.

One of the 7 standard rules.

“Please lock the door and return the key to the lockbox.”
KeepKeep it. Set it as the Lock up at checkout standard rule, with key details.

One of the 7 standard rules, with optional key-return details.

2. Five checkout reminders you can copy

These only remind guests of what's already in your listing. Make sure each request is in your listing first.

Evening before checkout

Hi [Guest name], I hope you've had a great stay! A quick reminder that checkout is tomorrow by [checkout time].

Before you go, as listed in the house rules:
• Leave used towels in the bathroom
• Put used dishes in the sink
• Lock the door behind you

No cleaning needed, my cleaner takes care of the rest. Safe travels!

Longer stays (7+ nights)

Hi [Guest name], I can't believe your stay is almost over! Checkout is tomorrow by [checkout time].

A quick reminder of what's in the listing:
• Used towels in the bathroom
• Trash and recycling in the indoor bins
• Windows closed and the door locked

If anything broke or needs attention, just tell me so it's fixed before the next guest. Thank you, it's been a pleasure hosting you!

Same-day turnover

Good morning [Guest name]! Just a heads-up that new guests arrive today, so checkout by [checkout time] really helps my cleaner.

If you need a little extra time, message me now and I'll check what's possible. Thanks so much!

Late checkout request

Hi [Guest name], happy to look into it! It depends on whether another guest arrives today. I'll confirm by [time].

Until then, please plan for the usual [checkout time] checkout.

After they leave

Hi [Guest name], thank you for staying with us! I hope the trip home was easy.

If anything could have been better, I'd love to hear it directly. And if you have a minute, an honest review helps a small host more than you'd think.

Want every guest message already updated?

Host HQ: 42 ready-to-send guest messages updated for the new policy, 12 playbooks for the 9 pm problems, and a photo-proof cleaner checklist. $47 one-time, instant access, full refund within 14 days.

See Host HQ · free demo inside

Not legal advice. Check Airbnb's Help Center article "Important changes to house rules" and your local rules before you update. Wording based on Airbnb's published examples as of October 2026.