How to write shortlet house rules guests actually follow

The booking said two guests. At 1 a.m., estate security calls to say there are fourteen people in your apartment, music is shaking the windows, and the neighbours are threatening to report the landlord. You did have a “no parties” rule. It was line nine of a long list nobody read.

House rules fail for predictable reasons. They are too long, too vague, shared too late, or never enforced. Guests don’t see them as rules; they see them as fine print.

This guide shows you how to write rules that guests read, agree to before they arrive, and follow, plus how to deal with it politely when they don’t.

Why most house rules get ignored

Before rewriting yours, check them against the usual problems:

Too many rules. Twenty-five lines about shoe racks and towel use bury the three that actually protect your property.
Too vague. “Respect the neighbours” means different things to different people. “Quiet hours from 10 p.m.” does not.
Shared too late. A laminated sheet on the fridge is a reminder, not an agreement. If a guest first sees the rules after they arrive, they never agreed to them.
No consequence. If breaking a rule costs nothing, some guests will test it.
Rude tone. A wall of capital letters and “STRICTLY NO” reads as hostile, and guests push back against hostility.

Good rules are short, specific, shared before payment, and linked to something real, usually your caution fee.

Start with the rules that protect you

Group your rules by risk. Lead with the ones that would cost you money, neighbours, or your lease if broken.

Parties and events

This is the rule that matters most in Lagos and Abuja estates, where one loud night can damage your relationship with the estate association or your landlord.

Be specific:

No parties, events, or gatherings. Maximum [number] people in the apartment at any time, including visitors. Hosting an event will lead to an immediate end to your stay without refund and a deduction from your caution fee.

If you allow small gatherings, such as a birthday dinner for six, say so and set the limit. A clear “yes, up to six” prevents a vague “it’s just a few friends.”

Visitors and overnight guests

Guests will have visitors. Decide what’s acceptable and write it down:

Day visitors are welcome between [time] and [time], up to [number] at a time. Only guests named on the booking may stay overnight. Please register visitors with estate security at the gate.

Linking visitors to estate security is practical: it gives guests a reason that isn’t about you being difficult, and many estates require it anyway.

Noise and quiet hours

Quiet hours are from [10 p.m.] to [7 a.m.]. Please keep music and voices low during this time, including on the balcony.

A specific time is enforceable. “Be considerate” is not.

Power use: the rule Nigerian hosts can’t skip

Power is a cost and comfort issue that guests from abroad, and even from other cities, may not understand. A guest who runs three ACs on the inverter all night can drain the batteries before morning, and leaving everything on when they go out burns diesel you pay for.

Explain how power works in your apartment, not just what is forbidden:

Power: We have [public supply / generator from (time) to (time) / 24-hour inverter backup]. On inverter, please use only one AC at a time, and avoid the iron, kettle, or microwave, as they drain the batteries quickly. Please switch off the AC, lights, and water heater when you go out.

A few tips make this rule easier to follow:

Label switches and sockets that shouldn’t be used on backup power.
Put a small card next to the inverter or changeover switch explaining what to do.
Mention it in your day-before arrival message, not only in the rules document.

Guests are much more likely to follow a rule when they understand why it exists.

Keep the rest short

After the high-risk rules, add a handful of practical ones and stop. For example:

No smoking indoors. Smoking is allowed on [the balcony / outside the building].
Check-in from [time]; checkout by [time]. Ask before arrival if you need a late checkout.
Please don’t move furniture between rooms.
Report any damage or breakage as soon as it happens. Honest accidents are treated more kindly than hidden ones.
Pets [are not allowed / are allowed with prior approval].

If a rule hasn’t mattered in the last year, consider removing it. Fewer rules get more attention.

Write them in a tone guests will accept

How a rule is phrased changes whether people follow it. Compare:

STRICTLY NO VISITORS AFTER 10PM!!! DEFAULTERS WILL BE FINED.

with:

Visitors are welcome until 10 p.m. so that neighbours get a quiet night. Overnight guests must be on the booking.

Both say the same thing. The second gives a reason, sounds like a person, and is far less likely to start an argument. Keep a firm line on what matters, but write it like a host, not a gateman.

Timing does more for compliance than wording. Build your rules into the booking flow:

At enquiry: mention the two or three most important rules (party limit, visitors, maximum guests) in your first or second reply.
Before payment: send the full rules, short version, and ask the guest to confirm they agree.
In the confirmation: include the rules in one short block.
On arrival: leave a printed card in the living room as a reminder.

A simple agreement message works well:

Before I send the payment link, here are our house rules: [link or short list]. Please reply “I agree” to confirm, and I’ll hold the dates for you.

That reply gives you a record, and it moves the conversation about rules to before money changes hands, which is when it is easiest to have.

Link the rules to your caution fee

A caution fee gives your rules weight without turning every breach into a confrontation. State clearly what the caution fee covers:

Your refundable caution fee of ₦[amount] covers damage, missing items, extra cleaning after a breach of house rules, or extra guests beyond the booking.

Be fair and consistent. Deduct for real costs, such as a broken TV, a stained mattress, or extra cleaning, with photos as evidence. Don’t deduct for small things you’d normally absorb, or guests will feel ambushed and say so in reviews.

How to enforce rules politely

When a rule is broken, the goal is to stop the problem and keep things calm. Most situations can be handled in steps.

Step 1: A friendly reminder. Assume it’s a misunderstanding.

Hi [Name], estate security mentioned some noise from the apartment. Just a reminder that quiet hours start at 10 p.m. Thank you for keeping it down.

Step 2: A clear warning. If it continues, be direct and name the consequence.

Hi [Name], we’ve had a second complaint tonight. Please end the gathering now; as agreed in the house rules, a party may lead to the stay ending early and a deduction from the caution fee.

Step 3: Action. If the guest still doesn’t comply, involve estate security or your caretaker and follow through. Keep messages factual, take photos, and don’t argue in voice notes at 2 a.m.

After checkout, explain any deduction in writing with photos and amounts. A calm, documented message is much harder to dispute than a heated phone call.

Make the rules easy to follow

Some rules work better as design than as text:

Put a clear “Quiet hours from 10 p.m.” line on the welcome card.
Leave an ashtray on the balcony if you allow smoking there.
Keep a visitor note template at the door for estate security.
Fit a smart plug or timer on the water heater if guests often leave it on.

The less a guest has to remember, the fewer rules get broken.

Where Clavibase fits

Your rules only have weight if the caution fee behind them is handled properly. Collecting it by bank transfer and returning it manually leaves room for delays and disputes.

With Clavibase, you can take a caution fee alongside the booking payment. After checkout, you either release it or make a claim for genuine damage. If you do neither, the guest receives an automatic full refund about 48 hours later through Paystack, so honest guests aren’t left chasing you for their money. Combined with direct bookings on your Clavibase storefront and one calendar across your properties, the rules, payment, and dates for each stay stay connected rather than scattered across chats.

Start free with Clavibase

The short version

Keep your house rules short and specific, lead with parties, visitors, noise, and power, and explain the reason behind each one. Share them before payment, get a written “I agree,” and link them to a fair caution fee. When a rule is broken, remind first, warn clearly, then act, and document everything.