What should an Airbnb house manual include?
Short answer
An Airbnb house manual should cover arrival and entry, Wi-Fi, parking, house rules, quiet hours, trash and recycling, how to use the appliances, checkout tasks, emergency contacts, where the safety equipment is and a few local tips. Write each section in two to four plain lines, so guests find answers without messaging you.
The basics
A good house manual answers the questions guests would otherwise message you about, in the order they come up. Start with getting in, end with leaving and keep safety information easy to find. Short beats complete: guests scan, they rarely read every word.
The ten sections
| Section | What to write | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Arrival and entry | Check-in time, how to get in, what to do if entry fails | "Check-in is 4 pm. The keypad is on the side door. If it won't open, call [your phone]." |
| Wi-Fi | Network name and password, where the router is | "Network: [name]. Password: [password]. Router is under the TV." |
| Parking | Where to park, how many cars, where not to park | "One car in the driveway. Street parking is free after 6 pm." |
| House rules | The rules from your listing, in plain words | "No smoking inside or on the porch. No parties." |
| Quiet hours | The hours and why they matter | "Quiet hours are 10 pm to 8 am. The neighbors are close." |
| Trash and recycling | Where bins are, what goes where, pickup day | "Trash bins are by the garage. Pickup is Tuesday morning." |
| Appliances | Anything that isn't obvious: thermostat, TV, coffee maker, washer | "The thermostat is in the hall. Press the arrows, then Hold." |
| Checkout tasks | Checkout time and a short list of what to do | "Checkout is 11 am. Start the dishwasher and lock the door." |
| Emergency contacts and safety | 911, your phone, a backup contact, where safety gear is | "The fire extinguisher is on the wall by the kitchen door. The first-aid kit is in the hall closet." |
| Local tips | A few nearby places guests actually ask about | "Closest grocery store: [name], 5 minutes by car." |
What to put in each section
Arrival and entry
This is the most important part. Include the address, check-in time, door location and the step-by-step entry method. Add a backup plan, such as a phone number to call. If codes change for each stay, send the code in a separate message instead of printing it in the manual. Our self check-in guide covers how to write entry steps that work.
Wi-Fi and appliances
Write the Wi-Fi name and password exactly, including capital letters. For appliances, only explain what guests struggle with. A label on the device itself often works better than a paragraph in the manual.
House rules and quiet hours
Repeat the rules from your listing so they match. Say what you expect, not only what is banned. If there is a reason, such as close neighbors or a building rule, say it in one line.
Checkout tasks
Keep this list short and reasonable. Three to five tasks is easier to follow than ten. Match it to what your cleaner actually needs.
Emergency contacts and safety
Make this section easy to spot, near the top or bottom with a clear heading. Include:
- "In an emergency, call 911."
- The full street address, so guests can tell responders where they are.
- Your phone number and a backup local contact.
- Where the fire extinguisher, first-aid kit and main water shutoff are.
- The nearest urgent care or hospital.
For the gear itself, see our vacation rental safety checklist.
Local tips
Three to six tips is plenty: groceries, a pharmacy, coffee, a good dinner spot and anything specific to your area. Guests can search for the rest.
Where to keep it
Many hosts keep a printed copy in the rental and a digital copy guests can open on their phone before they arrive. Most platforms also have a place in the listing for house rules and check-in details. Check your platform's listing settings and keep every copy in sync when you change something.
Read your manual as if you were a first-time guest arriving at night. If any step makes you stop and guess, rewrite it.
The house manual maker builds a clean, printable manual from your details in a few minutes.
Do it for your rental
Fill in check-in, Wi-Fi and house rules once. Print the manual or paste it into your listing.
Make my house manualFrequently asked questions
How long should an Airbnb house manual be?
Short enough to scan. Two to four lines per section is usually enough. Put longer appliance instructions on a label next to the device.
Should I put the door code in the house manual?
Not if the code changes. Send it in a separate message through your platform before arrival, and keep the manual for steps that stay the same.
What safety information belongs in a house manual?
Include "call 911 in an emergency," the full address and your phone with a backup contact. Then say where the fire extinguisher, first-aid kit and water shutoff are.
Do I need a printed house manual?
It is optional, but useful. A printed copy works when phones die or Wi-Fi fails. Many hosts keep both a printed and a digital version.
On this page
Do it for your rental
Fill in check-in, Wi-Fi and house rules once. Print the manual or paste it into your listing.
Make my house manual