7 Tips for a House Rules Template and an Harmonious Homestay
Setting the right expectations and using a house rules template will improve the relationship with your tenant and ensure a pleasant homestay experience.
With Homestay rental you temporarily share your home with a tenant. Since it is your home it is important to have a match with your tenant. For example to have the same interests and daily rhythm. You have to pay attention when selecting a future tenant, but it is equally important to set clear expectations during the homestay period. Drafting a set of house rules can help to clear things out and are like a playbook for hosts and tenants to be on the same page. In this blog we’ll discuss why these rules matter and what you could include. Let’s take a look!
Why and how should I draft House Rules?
Drafting house rules might sound too strict for you, but really it is not. They are the key to a happy co-living situation and help to prevent irritations and conflict. When you welcome a tenant into your home, both the tenant and yourself will have to adjust to each other’s way of living. Therefore it is extra important to discuss what is allowed and expected and what is not. You can include the house rules as an appendix to the rental contract (formal way) or discuss them over a cup of coffee before the rental period starts (informal way).
Prevention of conflict is always better, but what if the rental period does not turn out as expected? In another blog Hospi Housing provides you with tips to improve relations with your tenant.
What kind of House Rules are required?
Since it is your home, as a host you decide which house rules apply. However, they should be reasonable and may - of course - not be against the law. House rules may never be of discriminate nature and should always ensure an inclusive environment where someone feels safe and welcome, regardless of their background, identity or customs. Additionally, as a host you should always respect the privacy of the tenant and cannot demand access or enter without asking the rented private spaces of the tenant.
Whether you strictly specify the house rules or use them as a rough template to set general expectations, that’s up to you. In this blog we will provide you with suggestions based on our experience, but you are free to choose and add your own. Keep in mind that the overall goal is to maintain a safe and friendly homestay situation where both you and the tenant feel comfortable. If during the rental period you notice certain rules and expectations don’t work out, you can always discuss them with your tenant and if necessary adjust them.
Make the house rules known to your tenant
What’s the point of drafting house rules if you don’t discuss them with your tenant? Think about what matters for you before your tenant moves in. You can add the house rules as an appendix to the contract or discuss them with your tenant after their arrival. This ensures that you and your tenant are on the same line and will help to give the rental period a smooth start.
Whether you send the house rules in advance or discuss them upon arrival, make sure to emphasize the importance of it. Make clear that it is important for the tenant to share your expectations and customs in your way of living. If the tenant has any questions or doubts about this, then this is the moment for them to discuss it.
If during the rental period your tenant does not adhere to the house rules properly or sufficiently, it is important to speak out. Don’t wait to long. The sooner you address a frustration or unclarity, the easier it will be to solve it without much hassle. It gives both of you a chance to share your thoughts. Having a chat early on stops small problems from becoming big headaches later.
What to include in your house rules?
This is up to you and differs per host. Certain things are better to include in the rental contract and others better suit a house rule template. Do you want to learn more about homestay rental contracts? Read this blog about different contracts and what to include.
Previous homestay experiences will help to address certain topics and prevent irritations or conflict. It is important to set the right expectations and boundaries. Think of them as a manual for a smooth homestay experience. If you are a host at Hospi Housing you can make FREE use of the Hospi Housing House Rules template. You can find this in your My Hospi environment from July 2024. For inspiration, here’s 7 topics that you could include in your house rules:
1. The use of shared spaces
Most homestay rentals include shared spaces like the bathroom, kitchen, garden or living room. If the tenant can make use of these spaces it is important they do so with care and respect. Think about the use of furniture and materials, like kitchen supplies for example. Agree on timezones for the use of spaces and ask permission before you use certain stuff. Discuss what to do when your tenant causes damage to items in the shared spaces. How do you communicate this and how do you solve it.
2. Use of energy
For both financial and environmental reasons, clear rules for the use of energy are important. It's not just about paying the bills – it's about being mindful of how we consume and use energy resources. This could involve simple practices like turning off lights and electronic devices when not in use or being conscious of the heating system. Rules should be reasonable, so it is fine to discuss a guideline on the amount of time someone showers, but don’t limit it to - say - 2 times a week.
3. Respect each other’s way of living
It's a two-way street where both parties take the other's perspective into account. For example, it is crucial to be considerate and not make noise between 10PM and 8AM (keep the music down and move quietly in shared areas). Also, a small greeting and respect for each other’s schedule can make all the difference. For some people a standard moment to drink a cup of coffee or have dinner together works very well to build a connection and discuss household matters or potential conflicts early on.
4. Keep the room and shared spaces clean
As a host you cannot just enter the room and rented spaces of the tenant. Discuss expectations about cleaning and ventilation of the room in advance to keep things tidy and fresh. If you expect the tenant to take a part in cleaning the shared spaces, make sure to discuss this in advance (before the tenant moves in). Additional costs for the cleaning of shared spaces should be mentioned in advance and ideally drafted in the contract.
5. Smoking policy
In most households these days smoking is not allowed. If it is, make clear where and when it's permitted. It could specify whether smoking is completely prohibited inside or whether there are designated smoking areas outside.
6. Visitors and friends
During the rental period your tenant might want to bring friends or a partner over. Make clear agreements on how long guests can stay, how often they can come, and where they're allowed to hang out. For example: Guests are welcome until 10 PM as long as they don't disturb anyone. If guests are present after 10 PM, they should be quiet when departing. Also consider overnight guests and make separate arrangements about this. For example, it is allowed as long as the frequency remains reasonable.
7. Safety and security
A safe and secure living environment for both you as a host and the tenant is crucial. House rules on this topic typically cover various aspects related to safety measures and emergency procedures (e.g. always lock the main door and close your windows when you leave the house). Moreover, any instances of theft will be promptly reported, and tenants found guilty may face lease termination. You can discuss with your tenant on how to communicate if someone will not be at home for one or multiple days, or arrives home late. This is up to you and your tenant.
Use house rules as guidelines
As you start hosting, remember the suggested house rules are guidelines and not strict rules. Use them as inspiration and feel free to add, change and personalize house rules to your own wishing. If you rent through Hospi Housing as a host, you can make FREE use of our House Rules template. You can find this template in your My Hospi environment on the Hospi Housing website. This template will be available from July 2024.
We hope this blog helps you to be optimally prepared for the arrival of your tenant and ensure a pleasant homestay experience. Questions regarding matchmaking, the period of stay or specifically about house rules can be found in our frequently asked questions. You can also always reach out to your Hospi Housing contact person.
Want to know more about homestay rental? Check out this blog with tips to improve the relationship with your tenant. Are you new and exploring the benefits of homestay rental? Read our blog about becoming a host in the Netherlands and where to start.
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