House rules are guidelines established by the host for the expected conduct of guests during their stay.
Essential house rules cover smoking (always prohibited indoors in Australia), noise restrictions (especially in strata properties), maximum guest numbers, pet policies, and waste disposal. We also recommend including rules about parties, which are prohibited in most short-term rentals under local council regulations.
Yes, when clearly communicated and agreed to before booking. At MadeComfy, our rental agreements comply with Australian Consumer Law and are designed to protect both hosts and guests. Breaches can result in penalties or early termination of stays.
We balance guest comfort with property protection. Rules should be reasonable but firm - for example, quiet hours from 10pm-7am in residential areas, or a strict no-party policy in apartments. Our team tailors rules to each property's needs and local regulations.
We require guests to accept house rules at the time of booking through the platform (Airbnb, Booking.com etc.), and we resend them in the pre-arrival information. Our digital check-in process also includes rule acknowledgement.
We communicate house rules through multiple touch points: in the listing description, booking confirmation, pre-arrival message, and a printed copy displayed in the property. Our team is available 24/7 to clarify any rules, and we've found this layered approach significantly reduces issues.