A house manual answers the questions guests ask first: the Wi-Fi, the heating, where to park, what to do with the bins. Airbnb's own advice is to keep it short and easy to understand, and to put the Wi-Fi password first. Write each section as two or three plain lines.
| Question | Short answer |
|---|---|
| Order | Wi-Fi, check-in, heating and hot water, kitchen, bins, parking, check-out |
| Length | One page, or two for a big house |
| What must be in it | Only facts that are true today |
12 sections you can copy
Twelve sections for a UK holiday let, in the order guests need them. Put only facts that are true today. Replace every [BRACKET] with a real fact.
Jump to: The first four sectionsKitchen, TV and binsSafety and local helpLeaving and problems
- Wi-FiNetwork: [NAME]. Password: [PASSWORD]. The router is in the [ROOM]. If it stops, switch it off for 30 seconds.
- Getting inThe key safe is [WHERE]. The code is [CODE]. If it does not open, call [NUMBER].
- HeatingThe thermostat is in the [ROOM]. Turn it to [SETTING] for warm. The boiler resets with the button on the front. Please do not touch the pressure dial.
- Hot waterHot water is [ALWAYS ON / ON FROM TIME TO TIME]. If it runs cold, wait [NUMBER] minutes and try again, then call us.
More examples, by situation
Kitchen, TV and bins
- KitchenThe oven turns on with [BUTTON]. The [HOB TYPE] hob needs the [DETAIL]. Pans are in [WHERE]. Please wash up before you leave.
- TVTurn on with the [REMOTE] marked [NAME]. For streaming, press [BUTTON] and pick the app. Sign in with your own account, and sign out when you leave.
- BinsRubbish goes in the [COLOUR] bin. Recycling goes in the [COLOUR] bin. Bin day is [DAY]. Please put them out the night before.
- ParkingPark in [WHERE]. Please do not park [WHERE NOT].
Safety and local help
- SafetySmoke alarms are in [ROOMS]. A fire blanket is in the [ROOM]. The first aid kit is in the [ROOM]. In an emergency call 999. (List only what is there.)
- Local helpNearest shop: [NAME], [DISTANCE]. Nearest pharmacy: [NAME]. Nearest A and E: [NAME], [DISTANCE].
Leaving and problems
- Check-outPlease leave by [TIME]. Put used towels in [WHERE]. Close the windows and lock the door. Leave the key in [WHERE].
- ProblemsIf something is not working, message us on [CHANNEL] or call [NUMBER] between [HOURS]. For an emergency, call [NUMBER].
Download these examples
The same text as this page, in one file, with the gaps ready to fill in.
What to avoid
- Anything you have not checked this month.
- A manual that repeats the rules. Link to them.
- Passwords in a public listing. Share them after booking.
- Long paragraphs.
- Words guests will not know ("combi", "stopcock") without a short explanation.
Official pages. Rules differ by country. Not legal advice: check the rules that apply to you.
- Airbnb Resource Centre: Write a house manual to share info about your space. The page is dated 7 November 2021, so it may have changed. Its highlights say: "Keep it short and easy to understand" and "Include the wifi password first". Read 5 October 2026.
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What the paid pack adds
The sections above are free. The pack builds yours from your own facts.
Host Ops Pack
How it works: You paste your rough rules. It drafts calm house rules and a house manual from your own words, and lists what is missing. Works in ChatGPT, Claude or any chatbot. No install.
What you give it: Your own words: a guest review, your rough rules, your listing text.
What you get: Six skills. Guest Review Reply: a public reply that is true as it stands, optional sentences to add once a fix is real, a private to-do list, and a flag on any review that needs your judgement first. House Rules and Guidebook: the standard rule settings to choose, calm extra rules, and a house manual built only from what you wrote, with a list of what is missing. Also a listing rewriter, a listing audit, photo descriptions and a review pattern finder.
A real run: shouted rules in, calm house rules and a list of what is missing out
The rules it was given
PLEASE READ ENTIRE LISTING BEFORE BOOKING. Peaceful, clean, comfortable room with King size bed. TV with Roku (HBO, Hulu, Prime) Private Bathroom (not shared) down the hall. [...] NO DRUGS (INCLUDING MARIJUANA) OR EXCESSIVE ALCOHOL. YOU WILL BE ASKED TO LEAVE IF YOU BREAK THIS RULE Last minute bookings welcome! TWO GUESTS MAX NO EXCEPTIONS. NO PETS. INPUT CORRECT # OF GUESTS WHEN INQUIRING OR BOOKING
Additional rules (paste as is)
- No drugs, including marijuana.
- No excessive drinking.
- Two guests maximum. Please enter the correct number of guests when you inquire or book.
- Guests who break the rules on drugs or drinking will be asked to leave.
Still needed (first four of eight)
- How do guests get in (key, lockbox, door code, or meet in person)?
- What are your check-in and checkout times, and what should guests do at checkout?
- What is the wifi network name and password?
- Where should guests park?
From the pack's own test 01 for House Rules and Guidebook (final run, 4 Oct 2026), on a public listing from Inside Airbnb data. The pack's checks were run by its makers; no host has used the output on a live listing yet.
One price, no subscription. Not made by or linked to any booking site.
What should be in a house manual?
The Wi-Fi, how to get in, how the heating and hot water work, how the appliances work, bins and recycling, parking, check-out, emergency numbers and where the safety equipment is. Airbnb's page also suggests pointing out pet and child features.
How long should a house manual be?
Short. Airbnb's page says many hosts stress keeping the manual short and to the point, and its highlights say to include the wifi password first.
Does Airbnb have a house manual tool?
Its resource page describes one. It lets you give guests step-by-step instructions and tell them where to find things such as safety devices or the router.
Is a house manual the same as house rules?
No. Rules say what you ask of guests. A manual says how things work. Keep them separate and link them.
Questions people ask
What do I do with the [BRACKETS]?
Replace each one with a real fact. If you cannot, delete the line. Never leave a bracket in what you post.
Is a house manual the same as house rules?
No. Rules say what you ask of guests. A manual says how things work.
More
Sources
- Write a house manual to share info about your space, read 5 October 2026