How to Write Accurate and Effective House Rules
Your House Rules are one of the most important parts of your listing. They set out exactly how Bookers are expected to use your space, and they form part of the binding agreement when a booking is confirmed. Well-written House Rules protect your venue and help prevent misunderstandings.
What your House Rules should cover
Section titled “What your House Rules should cover”Think about every aspect of how your space is used and what matters most to you. Consider including:
- Capacity limits — maximum number of people permitted in the space
- Permitted event types — what kinds of events are welcome (and which are not)
- Noise and music — any restrictions on amplified sound, finishing times, or noise levels
- Alcohol — whether it is permitted, and any conditions around it (see What Licences Do I Need If Alcohol Is Permitted at My Venue?)
- Catering — whether Bookers can bring their own food, use your kitchen, or must use approved caterers
- Setup and cleardown — what time Bookers can arrive to set up and when everything must be cleared
- Damage and conduct — expectations around care of the space and behaviour of guests
- Smoking — whether smoking is permitted and where
- Children and pets — any restrictions or requirements
- Parking — what is available and any conditions of use
- Waste — who is responsible for clearing rubbish
Tips for writing good House Rules
Section titled “Tips for writing good House Rules”- Be specific, not vague — “No excessive noise” is open to interpretation; “No amplified music after 10pm” is enforceable
- Use plain language — write for someone with no prior knowledge of your venue
- Be honest — do not omit rules you actually care about just to attract more bookings; this leads to disputes
- Keep them proportionate — a long list of restrictions can put off legitimate Bookers; focus on what genuinely matters
House Rules are legally binding at confirmation
Section titled “House Rules are legally binding at confirmation”Once a booking is confirmed, the House Rules that were active at that point are locked in for that booking. If you update your rules later, the new rules only apply to future bookings. See Do My House Rules Apply to Existing Bookings If I Update Them? for more detail.
What if a Booker breaks your House Rules?
Section titled “What if a Booker breaks your House Rules?”If a Booker is in serious breach of your House Rules during a booking, you may have grounds to end the booking early. See Can I End a Booking Early or Ask a Booker to Leave?.