Holiday Rental House Rules: Sample, Template and Rules for Guests and Hosts

By Daniel Schulz, residir GmbH · Last updated: 14 October 2026

Holiday rental house rules (Hausordnung) sum up on a single page what applies in the building: quiet hours, smoking, pets, visitors, rubbish, parties, plus check-in, check-out and keys. They become binding when the guest can see them before booking, making them part of the contract. Statutory rules such as night-time quiet hours apply regardless.

We are currently fitting out a building with 54 apartments in Lehel, and as part of that we are working out which rules guests really need and which just fill paper. We will set the house rules for our own building before it opens, so this guide is kept general. Here you will find a template to adapt, a short English version and the legal position as of October 2026. This article is general information and not legal advice.

In this article:

• Why have house rules?
• The legal position
• Quiet hours in Munich and Bavaria
• Typical rules
• Sample and template
• House rules with a sense of humour
• Short version for international guests
• Where the house rules belong
• Dealing with breaches
• Writing tips
• Conclusion
• FAQ

Topic	What the house rules say	Legal framework
Quiet hours	Night-time quiet, midday quiet, moderate volume	Local ordinance; in Munich 10 pm to 7 am
Smoking	Non-smoking flat, balcony yes or no	Agreement in the contract
Pets	Allowed, on request or not allowed	Agreement in the contract
Visitors	Visitors during the day, overnight stays only for registered guests	Agreement in the contract
Rubbish	Waste separation, bins, glass and deposit bottles	Municipal waste regulations
Check-in and check-out	Times, keys, code, departure	Agreement in the contract
Fireworks	No fireworks on the balcony or terrace	Explosives law, municipal bans on New Year’s Eve

Why do you need holiday rental house rules?

A holiday apartment has no reception where you can quickly ask a question. What hotel staff take care of has to be set down in writing in the flat. House rules for a holiday apartment or holiday home answer the questions that would otherwise land in the host’s inbox at 11 pm.

For guests: orientation from the first evening

Guests want to know what they are allowed to do without having to search for it. Can I smoke on the balcony? Where does the empty glass go? By what time do I have to leave on departure day? Anyone who books one of our holiday apartments in Munich usually stays in an ordinary block of flats with neighbours who go to work in the morning. Clear rules protect guests from causing trouble without meaning to.

For hosts: fewer misunderstandings, clearer agreements

For hosts, house rules are above all a tool against misunderstandings. Whatever is agreed in writing does not have to be discussed again after every stay. In a dispute, what counts is what the guest could have known beforehand. If you word your holiday rental house rules carefully, you have a basis to work from in the event of damage or complaints from neighbours.

Our author Daniel Schulz has looked after more than 80,000 guest stays in eight years with serviced apartments. Most conflicts were not about major breaches, but about little things such as rubbish in the stairwell or a departure an hour late.

Holiday rental house rules: the legal position in Germany

When you book a holiday apartment, you normally enter into a tenancy agreement for residential space for temporary use (Section 535 in conjunction with Section 549(2) no. 1 BGB, the German Civil Code). Many of the protective provisions of residential tenancy law do not apply to such agreements. What the guest may do in the flat is therefore determined mainly by the contract, and the house rules are part of it.

House rules as part of the contract

House rules that the host drafts in advance for many bookings count legally as standard terms and conditions (Allgemeine Geschäftsbedingungen, AGB). For them to become part of the contract, the guest must be made aware of them when booking and must be able to take note of them in a reasonable way (Section 305(2) BGB). A link in the booking conditions or an attachment to the confirmation serves this purpose.

A sheet that the guest only finds on the noticeboard on arrival, by contrast, is binding only to a limited extent. Rules the guest could not have known beforehand are hard to enforce. Statutory duties such as consideration for neighbours and local quiet hours apply to everyone regardless.

What house rules may not do

Pre-drafted rules must not unreasonably disadvantage the guest (Section 307 BGB) and must not contain surprising clauses (Section 305c BGB). Problematic examples include high flat-rate charges for trivial matters or the host’s right to enter the flat at any time without notice. Flat-rate damage charges in pre-drafted terms are only permissible if they do not exceed the usual damage and the guest is allowed to prove that the damage was lower (Section 309 no. 5 BGB).

If the flat is in a building with an owners’ association (Eigentümergemeinschaft), house rules for all residents usually already exist. The host carries over the points relevant to guests into the holiday apartment’s house rules, such as times for the laundry room or rules for the bicycle storage room.

Quiet hours in a holiday apartment: what applies in Munich and Bavaria

There is no Bavaria-wide law with fixed quiet hours for residential properties. Under Art. 7 of the Bavarian Immission Control Act (Bayerisches Immissionsschutzgesetz), municipalities may issue their own ordinances, and many do. Technical regulations such as the TA Lärm (the German technical instructions on noise protection) define 10 pm to 6 am as night-time, and many house rules follow this.

In Munich the situation is clearer: the city’s Housework and Music Noise Ordinance (Hausarbeits- und Musiklärmverordnung, version of 15 August 2023) sets night-time quiet hours from 10 pm to 7 am. Music and televisions must be quiet enough not to cause others significant disturbance. Noisy housework and garden work is only permitted Monday to Saturday from 8 am to 12 noon and from 3 pm to 6 pm, which results in a midday quiet period from 12 noon to 3 pm.

Time	What applies in Munich	Legal basis
10 pm to 7 am	Night-time quiet; music and appliances only so quiet that nobody is disturbed	Housework and Music Noise Ordinance, Section 2
12 noon to 3 pm (Mon to Sat)	No noisy housework or garden work	Housework and Music Noise Ordinance, Section 1
Sundays and public holidays	No noisy work; work noticeable to the public is prohibited	Ordinance Section 1, Bavarian Public Holidays Act (Feiertagsgesetz) Art. 2

For guests, the night-time quiet hours matter most. They cover conversations on the balcony just as much as music or wheeled suitcases in the stairwell. Breaches of the ordinance can be punished as an administrative offence (Ordnungswidrigkeit) with a fine. According to the city, the police are responsible in cases of acute noise disturbance.

Other places may have different times, including a longer midday quiet period. If you are writing house rules for a flat outside Munich, ask the municipality whether there is a local noise protection ordinance.

House rules in a holiday apartment: the typical points

The following points appear in almost every set of house rules. Not every one suits every flat. Delete whatever does not matter in your case and word the rest precisely.

Quiet hours and noise

State the quiet hours with exact times, not just “at night”. A sentence such as “Please keep the volume down from 10 pm, on the balcony too” is unambiguous. It also helps to point out places where noise carries, such as wooden floors, the stairs or a bedroom next to the neighbouring flat.

Smoking, candles and open flames

Most holiday apartments are non-smoking. The smoking ban in the flat should explicitly mention e-cigarettes as well, and clarify whether smoking is allowed on the balcony or terrace. The house rules should cover candles, incense sticks and charcoal barbecues at the same time, because smoke alarms and neighbours react to all three.

Pets

For pets in a holiday apartment there are three usual options: allowed, on request only, or not allowed. If dogs are welcome, add rules about the sofa, the bed, keeping them on a lead in the stairwell and poo bags. If you are planning a trip with your four-legged friend, our page on dog-friendly apartments in Munich has tips on the Isar, parks and apartments where dogs are possible on request, depending on the category.

Visitors and overnight guests

Visitors are a frequent source of disputes, and holiday apartment house rules usually contain two rules on them: visitors are welcome during the day, but only the people named at the time of booking may stay overnight. The reason is not mistrust, but occupancy, bed linen, insurance and safety in the building.

Word the visitor rule in a friendly way and with an option: “Please ask us in advance about additional overnight guests.” That way the guest knows an exception is possible, and the host keeps track.

Rubbish and waste separation

Waste separation in a holiday apartment is often new to guests from abroad, and the systems differ even within Germany. Explain which bin is for what, where the bins are and where empty glass and deposit bottles (Pfandflaschen) go. In Munich, glass and plastic and metal packaging usually go into the containers at the recycling points (Wertstoffinseln) in the neighbourhood, while general waste, paper and organic waste go into the bins at the building.

Parties and celebrations

Almost every holiday apartment rules out parties. A clear line makes sense: a birthday dinner with the booked guests, yes; a party with extra people, no. If you want to exclude stag and hen dos or group trips, say so in the listing itself, not just in the house rules.

Check-in, check-out and keys

State the arrival and departure times and how to get the key or code. For check-out, include what the guest should do before leaving: wash up, take the rubbish out, close the windows, put the key back in the key safe. What counts as part of the final cleaning and what does not should match the contract.

With teams travelling for work, questions about work clothes, tools and vehicles often come up as well. If you let flats as workers’ accommodation in Munich, your house rules should also cover where toolboxes may be kept and whether work boots stay in the hallway.

New Year’s Eve and fireworks

Fireworks from balconies or terraces are banned in many buildings, if only because of the fire risk. Under German explosives law, fireworks may in any case only be set off on New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day, and cities impose additional no-firework zones. The rules that applied in the city centre at the turn of the year are set out in our guide to New Year’s Eve in Munich.

Holiday rental house rules sample: a template to adapt

The following house rules are a sample we have written ourselves. You are free to use this holiday rental house rules template and adapt it to your flat. Replace the details in square brackets and delete any points that do not apply.

House rules for [name of the flat]

A warm welcome! So that you, our neighbours and the next guests all feel at home, we kindly ask you to observe the following:

1. Arrival and departure: check-in from [time], check-out by [time]. You will find the key [place/code instructions]; on departure, please return it to [place].
2. Quiet hours: night-time quiet from [10 pm] to [7 am]; please also keep noise down from [12 noon] to [3 pm]. This applies on the balcony and terrace too.
3. Smoking: this is a non-smoking flat, including e-cigarettes. Smoking on the balcony is [allowed/not allowed].
4. Pets: [pets are not allowed / allowed only by prior arrangement].
5. Visitors: visitors are welcome until [time]. Only the persons registered at the time of booking may stay overnight.
6. Parties: parties and events are not permitted.
7. Rubbish: please separate general waste, paper, packaging and organic waste. The bins are [place]; please take glass to the container at [place].
8. Kitchen and appliances: please wash up before you leave and switch off the hob and appliances after use.
9. Energy: please turn the heating down when airing the rooms and close the windows when you leave the flat.
10. Damage: if something breaks, please let us know. Small accidents happen; what matters is that we can fix them before the next guests arrive.
11. Fireworks: fireworks are not allowed on the balcony, terrace or grounds.
12. Emergencies: you can reach us on [phone number]. Emergency numbers: 112 (fire brigade, ambulance), 110 (police).

Thank you, and enjoy your stay! [Hosts’ first names]

If you need the house rules for your holiday apartment as a PDF, copy the text into a word processor, replace the placeholders and save the file as a PDF. You can then attach it to the booking confirmation and leave a copy in the flat.

Short house rules for a holiday apartment: the compact version

Not every flat needs twelve points. For a small apartment, a short version that fits on an index card is enough:

• Check-in from [time], check-out by [time]
• Quiet hours [10 pm] to [7 am], on the balcony too
• Non-smoking flat, no parties
• Overnight stays for registered guests only
• Please separate your rubbish, bins [place]
• Emergencies: [phone number]

The short version does not replace the full version in the booking conditions. It serves as a reminder on the front door or next to the key board.

Funny holiday rental house rules: humour with clear rules

House rules do not have to sound like official jargon. A wink makes rules more likeable, as long as the content stays clear. A few examples we wrote ourselves:

• “From 10 pm our neighbours are asleep. We would like to keep it that way.”
• “Recycling is not rocket science, but there are several bins. The overview is inside the kitchen cupboard.”
• “Smoking only outside the building. Our smoke alarms take their job very seriously.”
• “Whoever takes the last coffee capsule is welcome to mention it in a message to us.”
• “Check-out by 10 am. We know, the bed is comfortable.”

There is a limit to humour: legally important points such as check-out time, the smoking ban or pets should still be stated clearly and without irony. A good solution is a funny opening line followed by the rule in a plain half-sentence.

House rules for international guests: example of a short English version

Many guests in Munich come from abroad, and a short English version of the house rules is helpful for them. A summary with the key points is enough. You can put the following template alongside your full house rules in German:

House rules for [name of apartment]

Check-in from [time], check-out by [time]. Please return the key to [place].
Quiet hours: 10 pm to 7 am, also on the balcony.
This is a non-smoking apartment, including e-cigarettes.
No parties. Only registered guests may stay overnight.
Please separate your waste. The bins are [place].
In case of emergency call [phone number], fire and ambulance 112, police 110.
Thank you and enjoy your stay!

For guests from other countries, a third language is sometimes worthwhile. Translation software provides a first draft, but the translation should be checked by someone who speaks the language. Symbols such as a crossed-out cigarette or a moon for quiet hours also help.

Where the house rules belong: booking, confirmation and flat

For house rules to work, they need to appear in three places. Before booking, in the conditions or listing, so that they become part of the contract. In the confirmation or the pre-arrival message, as a reminder. And in the flat itself, clearly visible.

In the flat, the house rules usually sit in a folder with further information on Wi-Fi, appliances, shopping and day trips. How to put together this welcome book for your holiday rental is explained in a separate guide. The house rules should come right at the front, with a short version also displayed on the door or in the kitchen.

Separately, many flats have a book in which guests write a farewell note. Rules have no place there. How hosts set up a guest book for a holiday rental and what guests write in it is covered in our own guide.

What guests need to bring and what is already in the flat does not belong in the house rules, but in the description of the amenities. For guests, we have put together a holiday apartment packing list.

Dealing with breaches of the house rules

Most breaches happen out of ignorance. A friendly message usually resolves them immediately. A step-by-step approach has proven effective:

1. Reminder: a short, friendly message stating the rule and asking the guest to observe it.
2. Warning: if it happens again, more firmly, in writing and with the time of the incident.
3. Formal warning (Abmahnung): for serious breaches, stating that the contract will be terminated if it happens again.
4. Termination: as a last resort in the event of persistent disturbance of the peace in the building (Hausfrieden).

Under tenancy agreements, termination without notice is possible if there is good cause, for example if one party persistently disturbs the peace in the building (Section 543(1) and Section 569(2) BGB). As a rule, a formal warning must be given first (Section 543(3) BGB). Whether a breach is sufficient depends on the individual case.

In the case of damage, the host can claim compensation, and an agreed deposit serves as security for this. Compensation covers the actual damage and is not a penalty. According to the City of Munich, the police are responsible for acute night-time noise disturbance by guests, while persistent breaches of the noise ordinance are handled by the fines office at the Department of Public Order (Kreisverwaltungsreferat).

For guests, the reverse applies: if you follow the house rules, you can also expect the flat to match what you booked. Report complaints about noise from neighbouring flats or defects to the host immediately, not after you have left.

Tips: writing good holiday rental house rules

House rules get read if they are short and explain why a rule applies. From Daniel Schulz’s experience: rules with a reason are followed much more often than plain bans. “Please keep quiet from 10 pm, the neighbours’ bedroom is directly below the living room” works better than “Quiet from 10 pm”.

• One page: anything that does not fit on one page belongs in the welcome book.
• Phrase things positively: “Please” instead of “It is forbidden”, where the content allows.
• Be specific: times, places and phone numbers instead of general instructions.
• Share them in advance: house rules in the listing or booking conditions, not just in the flat.
• Review regularly: recurring questions from guests show which rule is missing or unclear.

If you let several flats, it is best to use the same basic structure for all of them and only add the specifics of each flat. That saves work, and regular guests find their way around more quickly.

Conclusion

Good holiday rental house rules fit on one page, cover quiet hours, smoking, pets, visitors, rubbish and check-in and check-out with specific details, are shared with the guest before booking and, in Munich, follow the night-time quiet hours from 10 pm to 7 am; for longer stays, for example in furnished apartments in Munich, they belong in the tenancy agreement just the same.

Frequently asked questions about holiday rental house rules

Are holiday rental house rules binding?

Yes, if they have become part of the contract. For this, the guest should be able to see the house rules before booking, for example via the booking conditions or the confirmation. Regardless of this, statutory rules such as local quiet hours apply to every guest. As of October 2026.

What should holiday rental house rules include?

House rules should cover quiet hours, rules on smoking, pets, visitors and parties, information on rubbish and waste separation, check-in and check-out times and how keys or codes work. Add a phone number for emergencies. One page is usually enough.

What quiet hours apply in a holiday apartment in Munich?

In Munich, the city’s Housework and Music Noise Ordinance sets night-time quiet hours from 10 pm to 7 am. Noisy housework and garden work is only permitted Monday to Saturday from 8 am to 12 noon and from 3 pm to 6 pm, which results in a midday quiet period from 12 noon to 3 pm. House rules can repeat these times or make them stricter.

Are guests allowed to have visitors in a holiday apartment?

That is governed by the contract with the host. It is usual for visitors to be allowed during the day, but only the persons registered at the time of booking may stay overnight. If you want to bring additional overnight guests, ask the host beforehand.

What happens if guests break the house rules?

A reminder or warning is usually enough. In the case of damage, the host can claim compensation. If a guest persistently disturbs the peace in the building, for example with repeated loud parties, termination of the contract without notice may be considered, usually after a prior formal warning.

Does a holiday apartment need house rules in English?

If you expect guests from abroad, you should provide at least a short version in English. The most important points are quiet hours, smoking, rubbish, check-out and the emergency number. A translation of the full house rules is not necessary.

Can you smoke in a holiday apartment?

Only if the host allows it. Many holiday apartments are non-smoking, in which case the smoking ban is stated in the house rules and the listing. The house rules should say explicitly whether smoking is allowed on the balcony.

Are there holiday rental house rules available as a PDF?

You do not need a separate file: you can select the template in this article, copy it into a word processor, replace the details in brackets and then save it as a PDF or print it out.