What to Include in Your Airbnb House Manual (So Guests Stop Texting You)

Last month I got a message from a guest at 11:30pm: "How do I turn on the hot tub?" The answer was in the house manual I'd sent them. They just hadn't read it.

That experience taught me something: it's not enough to have a house manual. It has to be organized so guests can find answers instantly, even half-asleep on their phone. Here's the framework I use now — and my midnight messages have dropped by about 80%.

Put the most-asked stuff first

Most house manuals are organized by room or by topic. That's logical for the host, but guests don't think that way. They have a specific question and they want the answer now.

Organize by frequency of questions instead. Here's the order that works:

WiFi (always #1)

This is the single most common question for any host, anywhere. Make it impossible to miss.

• Network name — use something simple, not "NETGEAR-5G-EXT-2"
• Password — ideally something guests can type easily. "sunnybeach2026" beats "Xk9#mP2$qR"
• Quick tip if relevant — "Use the 5GHz network for streaming"

Check-in and access

Walk through the arrival experience in your head. What does a guest see when they pull up? Where do they go? What do they need to unlock?

• Where to park (specific spot number if you have one)
• How to get from parking to the front door
• Door code, lockbox location, or key instructions
• Building access — gates, elevators, lobby codes
• What to do if the door code doesn't work (it happens)

Photos make a huge difference here. A photo of the lockbox location saves more confusion than 200 words of description.

How stuff works

Every rental has its quirks. That shower handle that pulls instead of turns? The TV that needs two remotes? These feel obvious to you because you deal with them every week. They're completely baffling to someone who just walked in the door.

Kitchen

• Coffee machine — what type, where are the pods/grounds, how to start it
• Dishwasher — which button starts it, where does the detergent go
• Oven/stove — gas or electric, any lighting instructions, any quirks
• Garbage disposal — how to use it (seriously, many people haven't used one)

Entertainment

• TV — which remote does what (this is the #2 question after WiFi)
• Streaming apps — are you sharing Netflix/Hulu? How do they log in?
• Bluetooth speaker — how to pair, name to look for
• Smart home stuff — Alexa, Google Home, smart lights

Climate and comfort

• Thermostat — how to adjust, what you recommend ("we suggest 72°F")
• Ceiling fans — which switch controls which fan
• Space heater or portable AC — where it is, how to use it
• Extra blankets — where to find them

Laundry

• Washer/dryer — what settings to use, where's the detergent
• Hot water — how long it takes to warm up, any tankless heater notes
• Shower — any unusual handles (European fixtures trip people up)

Outdoor areas

If you have a pool, hot tub, grill, or fire pit, cover each one:

• Pool/hot tub — hours, temperature controls, cover usage, safety rules
• Grill — how to light it, where's the propane, cleaning expectations
• Fire pit — what to burn, where's the firewood, how to extinguish

House rules (be friendly about it)

Nobody likes being lectured on arrival. Frame your rules as helpful guidance, not commands:

• "Our neighbors are lovely — they appreciate quiet after 10pm" (not "NO NOISE AFTER 10PM")
• "We provide cozy slippers by the door" (not "DO NOT WEAR SHOES INSIDE")
• "Parking is in spots 4 and 5 — the neighbors in 3 and 6 appreciate keeping their spots clear"

Also cover: smoking policy, pet rules, maximum occupancy, and trash/recycling (which bins, what day is pickup).

Checkout (keep it painless)

This is where a lot of hosts hurt their own reviews. Heavy checkout requirements (strip all beds, take out trash, start laundry, clean the kitchen) make guests feel like they're doing your cleaning crew's job.

The best approach:

• Start the dishwasher if it's full
• Put used towels in the bathtub
• Toss any perishable food
• Lock up (or just close the door if smart lock)

That's it. Your cleaning team handles the rest. Light checkout = happy guests = better reviews.

Emergency info

Hopefully never needed, but essential:

• Your phone number (or co-host)
• Nearest hospital / urgent care with address
• Fire extinguisher and first aid kit locations
• Gas and water shut-off locations
• Non-emergency police number

Local quick reference

A few practical things that save guests a Google search:

• Nearest grocery store (and which one you recommend)
• Closest gas station
• Best pharmacy
• Whether Uber/Lyft works in your area (surprisingly relevant in rural/mountain areas)

The 80/20 rule

If this feels like a lot, remember: WiFi + check-in + appliance basics cover 80% of guest questions. Start there. Then pay attention to the questions you get over the next month — each one tells you exactly what your manual is missing.

Every question a guest sends is a signal. Add the answer to your manual, and you'll never get that question again.