3 Airbnb Etiquette Rules Every Guest Should Follow, According to Experts

Where you come home to after a full day of excursions or relaxing on the beach is a huge part of the vacation experience. To achieve a more personalized and homey feeling, many travelers opt for renting Airbnbs or VRBOs, which are private houses or rooms that hosts rent out to guests, instead of booking traditional hotel rooms.

While there are tons of benefits to staying in Airbnbs (oftentimes getting a roomier space for less money), there are more guest responsibilities compared to staying in a hotel. For example, if your room is messy at a hotel, you can easily call the front desk and request that your room be cleaned. But in an Airbnb, it's the guest's responsibility to keep the space tidy.

"The whole point is to create a memorable, relaxing experience—and that only works when the responsibilities between host and guest feel balanced and fair," says Melissa Masters, owner and operator of Tanglebloom Tiny Cabin and Airbnb superhost.

We asked vacation home experts about Airbnb etiquette, what the host's responsibilities are, and what the guest is expected to do. We boiled their insight down to three rules for all vacation renters and Airbnb guests to follow, and it's all about respect.

1. Respect the Home

Alex Foti, the president and co-founder of Bretton Woods Vacations, says the first rule every Airbnb guest should follow is respecting the home they're staying in.

"Renting a vacation home is a privilege, not something to take for granted. As the bridge between homeowners and guests, I see firsthand the care and trust it takes for owners to welcome strangers into their beloved properties," Foti says.

Foti encourages renters to treat the Airbnb as if it were their own home. This includes keeping the space tidy and treating the host's belongings with care. Masters says that taking care of small chores, such as taking out the trash, loading the dishwasher, and emptying the fridge of your own food, shows respect for the host, their belongings, and their home.

While she encourages picking up after yourself and tidying the space, Masters says deep cleans aren't necessary (unless requested by the host).

2. Respect the Host

The second expectation every Airbnb renter should follow is showing respect to their host. While taking care of their home and belongings shows the host respect, another way to do so is to honor their requests and departure instructions.

Masters says hosts should give guests clear expectations to follow during their stay. For example, if a host says to strip the bed before you leave the Airbnb, guests should respectfully honor the request. Other hosts may include directions for dishes, trash, and noise level.

"Follow any directions provided, and if something is unclear, ask," Foti says. "For example, using an unfamiliar appliance without guidance can easily cause damage."

If you're worried your questions will bother the host, remember that they would much rather take a few minutes to answer your question than have their belongings broken or misused.

3. Respect the Neighbors

According to Foti, the third expectation for vacation renters is to respect the neighbors. While you may only stay at the property for a few days, it's important to remember your hosts have lasting relationships with the neighbors. How you interact with and around the neighbors affects not only your reputation, but your host's as well.

Foti says respecting neighbors includes following occupancy and parking rules. "Guests sometimes try to overpack homes—squeezing in extra people or parking more cars than allowed," he says. "While it may not seem like a big deal, imagine being the neighbor living next door."

Following the host's rules and guidelines regarding parking and occupancy also helps preserve neighborhood peace and ensures that short-term rentals remain a welcome part of the community.