Shortlet house rules tell guests what they can and cannot do in your home. Good rules are short, clear and fair. Put the most important ones in your listing so guests see them before they book, and keep the full list inside the home.
Below is a house-rules template you can copy and change. After it, we look at the rules that cause the most trouble in Nigerian shortlets: parties, visitors, noise, smoking and power use. Guests: this is also what to look for before you book.
Why house rules matter
House rules are not about being strict. They help everyone:
- Guests know what to expect, so there are fewer surprises.
- Your home is protected from damage and wear.
- Your neighbours and estate are not disturbed, so you can keep hosting.
- Your caution deposit has a clear basis. If a rule was written down and agreed, a claim is easier to explain.
The best rules are the ones you will actually follow up. If you would never act on a rule, leave it out. A long list of rules nobody reads protects no one.
A house-rules template
Copy this, then change the parts in [square brackets]. Delete any rule that does not fit your home. Keep the language friendly.
Welcome to [name of your home]. Please read these rules before you arrive.
Arriving and leaving
- Check-in is from [14:00, 2 in the afternoon]. Check-out is by [11:00 in the morning].
- Tell us if you will arrive after [21:00, 9 at night], so someone can let you in.
- Early check-in or late check-out is only possible if we agree it before.
Guests and visitors
- Up to [number] people may stay. Children count as guests.
- Day visitors are welcome between [10:00] and [20:00], up to [number] at a time.
- Visitors may not stay the night unless they were part of your booking.
- Please register visitors with the estate gate, as the estate asks.
Noise and parties
- No parties or events. [Or: small gatherings of up to (number) people, with our permission.]
- Quiet time is from [22:00] to [07:00]. Keep music and voices low.
Smoking and pets
- No smoking inside. You may smoke [on the balcony / outside the building].
- No pets. [Or: pets only with our agreement before booking.]
Power, water and appliances
- Please switch off the air conditioning and lights when you go out.
- The generator runs [from … to …]. Do not refuel or move it yourself.
- When on inverter power, do not use the iron, kettle or microwave.
- Please do not leave taps running. Water is pumped to the tank.
Security and keys
- Lock the doors and windows when you go out and at night.
- Do not copy keys or share the door code.
- If a key is lost, the cost of new keys or locks may be claimed from the caution deposit.
Keeping the home nice
- Please wash the dishes you use, and put rubbish in the bins outside.
- Tell us straight away if something breaks. Accidents happen, and we would rather know.
- Damage beyond normal use, or a mess needing extra cleaning, may be taken from the caution deposit.
Help and emergencies
- For help, message [your name] on [how to reach you].
- The fire extinguisher is [where]. The first-aid kit is [where].
Your arrival steps go with the rules. Directions, parking, how keys are handed over and the Wi-Fi name all belong in a clear check-in message.
Parties, visitors and noise
These three cause more trouble than anything else. A single loud night can break furniture, upset neighbours and bring the estate security to your door.
- Decide your party rule first. “No parties” is simple. If you allow small gatherings, set a number and a time when music stops.
- Count every person. Say how many people may stay, and that children count. Overnight visitors are guests.
- Check your estate’s rules. Many estates have their own rules on visitors, parking and noise. Your rules should match theirs.
- Watch busy dates. Birthdays, December and long weekends bring more party requests. Ask what the stay is for.
If you do welcome gatherings, you may set a higher caution deposit. How much caution fee to charge shows how to work it out. For wording to answer a request, see how to handle party requests.
On Cabans, set “Maximum guests” in your booking rules. Guests cannot book for more people than you allow.
Smoking, pets and power use
Smoking. Smoke gets into curtains, sofas and mattresses, and it is hard to remove. A simple rule is no smoking indoors, with a place outside where it is fine.
Pets.Decide in advance. “No pets” is clearest. If you allow them, ask guests to tell you before booking.
Power. In Nigeria, power rules matter more than anywhere. Guests do not always know how your backup works. Explain it plainly:
- when the generator runs, and who switches it on;
- which appliances the inverter cannot carry, such as an iron, kettle or microwave;
- how the prepaid meter works, and who buys units;
- that air conditioners should be off when nobody is home.
Water. If water comes from a borehole or a tank, say so. Ask guests not to leave taps running, and tell them who to call if the tank runs dry.
Where guests see your rules
Guests should see your key rules before they pay, not after. Put them in three places:
- In your listing. Add a short “House rules” paragraph to the description: parties, the most guests allowed, smoking and pets.
- After booking. Send the full rules with the check-in steps. Our shortlet check-in instructions template helps with those.
- Inside the home. A printed copy by the door or on the fridge.
On Cabans, write your full rules on the “Stay information” page for each property. It has boxes for “House rules”, “Arrival and check-in instructions” and a “Check-out checklist”. Guests see them in “Your stay guide” once their booking is confirmed. So also keep the key rules in your listing description, where guests read them before they book.
You can tick “Guests must upload an ID” on the same page. Only you and the Cabans team can see a guest’s ID. ID documents are kept securely for up to 6 years, as data laws require, and then deleted.
How to add your house rules and door codes shows each box. The Host Academy lesson get ready for arrival puts it all together.
Guests: what to check in the house rules before you book
Guests search for shortlet rules too, and they are right to. A rule you did not expect can spoil a trip. Before you pay, look for these:
- Visitors. Can friends or family visit, and until what time? Can anyone stay the night?
- Gatherings. Planning a birthday or a small get-together? Ask first, in writing, and get a clear yes.
- Numbers. Count everyone staying, children too. Bringing more people than the rules allow causes trouble with the host and the estate.
- Power. When does the generator run? Can you use the iron and the kettle on inverter power?
- Check-in and check-out. Do the times suit your flight or your plans?
- The caution deposit. How much is it, and what could be taken from it?
If a rule does not suit you, ask the host before you book, or choose another home. It is much easier than arguing about it on the night.
Enforcing rules fairly
Rules only work if you apply them the same way every time. Be firm, and be fair:
- Say it before they book. A rule a guest never saw is hard to enforce.
- Remind, do not threaten. A polite written reminder fixes most problems.
- Act fast on real danger. A fight, a fire risk or an unsafe crowd needs action now. Call estate security or the police.
- Take photos. Photograph the home before each guest arrives and after they leave. Photos settle arguments.
- Charge only real costs. Use the caution deposit for proven damage or extra cleaning, not as a punishment.
- Return deposits quickly when everything is fine. Guests remember that.
On Cabans, you can add condition photos at check-in and check-out. If a guest caused damage, raise a dispute about the caution deposit with the amount and your evidence. Nothing is kept until the Cabans team decides. See how caution deposit protection works, and what to do if a guest causes damage.
Want to see how other hosts describe their homes and rules? Browse shortlets in Lekki or Victoria Island. When your rules are ready, take bookings online with them in the description. New to hosting? Start with how to start a shortlet business, then put your home on Cabans.
Frequently asked questions
What should be in shortlet house rules?
Check-in and check-out times, how many people may stay, visitors, parties and noise, smoking, pets, how to use the power and water, security and keys, rubbish, what happens if something is damaged, and who to call in an emergency. Keep each rule to one short line.
Can I ban parties in my shortlet?
Yes. It is your home, and some estates do not allow parties at all. Say it clearly in your listing, before the guest books, and again in your house rules. If you do allow small gatherings, set a limit on numbers and a time when music stops.
Can I charge a guest for breaking house rules?
Only for real costs you can show, such as damage or extra cleaning, and only from a caution deposit the guest agreed to before paying. Avoid “fines” for rule breaks. They cause arguments and are hard to justify.
Should I ask shortlet guests for ID?
Some hosts do, for safety. Say so in your listing before the guest books. Ask only for what you need, such as a passport, driving licence or national ID card, and keep it private.
Where should I put my house rules?
In three places: the key rules in your listing description, so guests see them before booking; the full rules in the message or page guests get after booking; and a printed copy inside the home.
What if a guest ignores my house rules?
Stay calm and remind them politely, in writing. If there is a real risk to people or the home, act at once and tell your estate security. Afterwards, take photos of any damage for your caution deposit claim.
Related guides
Shortlet guest message templates · How much caution fee to charge · Shortlet security tips · Shortlet agreement: what to include · Shortlet startup costs · Start a holiday let · Turn your flat into a shortlet · Security deposits in Nigeria · Become a shortlet agent
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