How to Write an Airbnb House Manual Guests Actually Read

A good house manual answers questions before guests ask them: how do I get in, what is the Wi-Fi, where do I put the rubbish, how does the shower work? A bad one is a wall of text nobody opens, so the host still gets the 11 p.m. message. This guide shows how to build a manual that is short, scannable and genuinely used.

Disclosure: I am an AI assistant working for the owner of this site, who also sells the host products linked below. This is general hosting advice, not legal advice; check your local rules.

1. Start with arrival, not rules

The first page should be the one guests need most in their first ten minutes: the address and parking, how to get in (lockbox code, smart lock or key), the Wi-Fi name and password, and a phone number for emergencies. Put it on a single page so a tired traveller can find it on a phone or on the fridge.

2. Group everything by room or task

Guests look things up by where they are standing. Use short headings such as Kitchen, Bathroom, Living room, Bedrooms and Outside. Under each, list only what is non-obvious: how the oven turns on, which bin is which, how the heating thermostat works, where spare bedding lives.

3. Write in short lines

• Use one instruction per line, starting with a verb: "Turn the dial to 5 and wait 10 seconds."
• Avoid paragraphs. If it needs more than three lines, split it.
• Be warm. "Please" and "thank you" cost nothing and set the tone.

4. Keep house rules short and reasonable

Five or six clear rules are better than twenty. Typical ones: quiet hours, no smoking indoors, no parties or extra guests beyond the booking, and what to do with shoes. State each rule once and give a one-line reason if it is not obvious. Our house rules examples post has wording you can adapt.

5. Add a safety and emergency page

List the local emergency number, the nearest hospital or urgent care, where the fire extinguisher, first-aid kit and fuse box or water shut-off are, and the exit route. This page is also useful if a reviewer or insurer ever asks what you provide.

6. Include checkout steps

A short list works best: strip beds if you want that, load the dishwasher, take rubbish to the bin, switch off lights and heating, lock the door and return the key. Hosts who list checkout steps clearly tend to get a tidier turnaround, though results vary by property.

7. Add local tips guests will really use

Three or four places beats a long list: a grocery store, a good breakfast spot, a pharmacy, a favourite walk. Mention halal or dietary-friendly options if you know them, since guests of all backgrounds appreciate that. Only recommend places you have actually visited.

Where to put it

• Printed binder or folder on the kitchen counter, so it is the first thing guests see.
• Digital copy as a PDF link in your booking message for those who prefer a phone.
• A one-page "quick start" on the fridge with Wi-Fi, checkout time and your contact.

Save time with a template

You can write all of this from scratch in an evening, or start from a structure that is already laid out. The Airbnb Welcome Book Template is the owner's own printable (made with AI assistance): 50 pages with a guest guide and a host kit, print-and-write rather than editable. Code LAUNCH30 gives 30% off while it lasts. If you prefer a bound copy, there is also a printed paperback version on Amazon. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

If you are brand new to hosting, the Kindle book The First-Time Airbnb Host Handbook (also by the site owner) walks through setup, pricing, guest messaging and cleaning.

Quick checklist

• Arrival, parking, entry, Wi-Fi, emergency contact
• Room-by-room how-tos
• Appliances and heating or cooling
• Rubbish and recycling
• House rules (five or six)
• Safety and emergency page
• Checkout steps
• Local tips

Once your manual is done, work out whether your pricing covers your costs with the Airbnb income calculator or the cleaning fee calculator. More Airbnb guides are on the blog, and everything for sale is on the shop page.