How do I write a great Airbnb house manual?
Updated June 1, 2026 · Category: Operations
Key facts
| Outcome | Typical lift |
|---|---|
| Reduction in inbound guest messages | 60–80% |
| Review score improvement | +0.2 stars within 90 days |
| Time saved per stay | 20–40 minutes |
Step-by-step
- 1
Open with Wi-Fi
It's the first thing every guest looks for.
- 2
List the seven essentials
Wi-Fi, check-in/out times, door code, trash, appliance quirks, quiet hours, emergency contacts.
- 3
Add five local picks
Breakfast, coffee, dinner, outdoor activity, rainy-day option — one sentence each.
- 4
Publish to a mobile URL
PDFs are friction. A link opens instantly on a phone.
- 5
Link the URL in your check-in message
Guests bookmark and refer to it throughout the stay.
Common mistakes to avoid
⚠ Burying Wi-Fi at the bottom
Put it first or guests will message you anyway.
⚠ Writing 8+ pages
Nobody reads it. Two pages, scannable, mobile-first.
Examples
Quiet hours line
Quiet hours: 10pm–7am per HOA rules. Sound carries — please take calls inside after 10.
Frequently asked questions
- Should the manual be a PDF?
- No. Use a mobile-friendly URL guests can open from the message thread.
- How long should it be?
- Two pages or fewer. Anything longer goes unread.
- Do I need to translate it?
- Auto-translate at render time. Don't maintain multiple versions manually.
Related answers
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