Florida had over 122 million visitors in 2023. So many people want to see the Sunshine State! If you own a vacation rental, that's great news for you.
However, if you plan on welcoming guests to your property, you need to set some vacation rental rules and guidelines. But how can you set rules that protect your property, keep your guests safe, and don't get in the way of a good time?
Let's talk about it! Read on for our top suggestions.
Prioritize Safety
When you're trying to come up with a list of house rules for your vacation rental, safety should be your first priority. Yes, you want to make sure your property stays in good condition, but you also want your guests to have a safe and enjoyable stay.
Safety will mean different things depending on what type of property you own. For example, if you own a property with a pool that's popular among families with children, you may need to set rules regarding pool safety.
If your property has a high balcony or roof access, you may want to set rules about not sitting on the railings, among others.
Be Considerate of Neighbors
If you own a multi-unit property or your property has nearby neighbors, it's your responsibility to be a good neighbor. This is true even if you're not the one staying on the property. You're responsible for your vacation rental guests.
Make sure you have rules about noise levels and that the parking rules don't get in the way of other neighbors or guests. It's also a good idea to have smoking rules, both for the benefit of your neighbors and for the preservation of your property.
Keep Vacation Rental Rules and Guidelines Reasonable
Remember that your guests are on vacation. While rules are normal, they have to make sense. If you ruin your guests' reasonable fun, you won't be getting any repeat bookings.
So what does this mean?
Keep the check-in and checkout procedure simple and easy. Many guests prefer a completely independent process. Don't set unreasonable noise limits or curfews.
While a quick tidy-up checklist is reasonable, do not have your guests go through extensive chore lists. Remember, you're competing with hotels and you should be cleaning (or hiring a cleaner) between guests.
Make Rules Accessible
Make sure your rules are visible and clear throughout the booking process and that they're posted somewhere within the property. You don't want to surprise guests with any hidden rules that they won't see before they commit to your property. You also can't expect them to follow rules they don't know about.
Rules Are Important for Your Vacation Guests
Setting appropriate vacation rental rules and guidelines is part of your job as a vacation rental host. Keep these tips in mind when you're coming up with your house rules to keep your guests safe and happy!
Do you need help with your vacation rental in Lake Worth, FL? It might be time to hire a property management company. PMI Jewell is here for you. With our customizable list of short-term rental management services, we'll make your life as a landlord a breeze.
Schedule a free consultation with us today.
