Airbnb house rules UAE — what every host must include in 2025

If you host short-term guests in the UAE, a clear Airbnb house rules UAE document is two things: a legal shield and a conversion tool. Good rules stop problems before they start; great rules protect you from penalties under the Holiday Homes regime and reduce disputes that lead to bad reviews.

Important: Dubai and other emirates now require formal Holiday Home registration, guest ID submission, Tourism Dirham collection and minimum safety standards — so your Airbnb house rules UAE must align with DET/holiday-home policy and local emirate rules.

Quick legal checklist for your Airbnb house rules UAE

Before we get to templates, make sure your house rules cover these legally required items (where applicable):

1. Registration and permit: confirm the unit is registered as a Holiday Home with the local authority (e.g., Dubai DET).
   
2. Guest registration: state that passport/ID details will be collected for every overnight guest and may be submitted to authorities.
   
3. Tourism Dirham/taxes: explain nightly tourism fees and how they’re collected or remitted.
   
4. Whole-unit rule: clarify that only entire units may be rented under local rules (no shared occupancy).
   
5. Safety & emergency info: fire escape, extinguisher location, emergency contact and INSTRUCTIONS for power/AC.
   

Add these to the top of your Airbnb house rules UAE so guests see them when booking and at check-in.

Core sections every Airbnb house rules UAE file should have

Use the following structure in your Airbnb house rules UAE (short, clear bullets are best):

1. Arrival & Check-in
   
   • Check-in window and keycode/smart-lock instructions.
     
   • ID/passport collection: “We collect guests’ ID at check-in for legal registration.”
     
2. Occupancy & Visitors
   
   • Maximum number of registered guests.
     
   • No unregistered overnight visitors; day visitors allowed until X pm.
     
3. Noise & Parties
   
   • Strict no-party policy. Quiet hours between 10pm–8am.
     
   • Violations may incur fines and immediate eviction.
     
4. Smoking & Alcohol
   
   • Smoking: allowed only on balcony with ashtray, or banned entirely.
     
   • Alcohol: allowed for private use only; no public or noisy drinking per building rules.
     
5. Pets
   
   • State pet policy clearly (allowed, by approval only, or not allowed).
     
6. Cleaning & Damage
   
   • Report damage within 24 hours. Deposit/damage charge process explained.
     
   • Housekeepers enter only after checkout unless otherwise agreed.
     
7. Safety & Compliance
   
   • Emergency exits, extinguisher, first-aid kit location.
     
   • Guest obligations to follow building management and local law (noise, waste, parking).
     
8. Checkout checklist
   
   • Keys, trash, lock doors, AC off, strip beds (if required).
     

Include a short “Why these rules exist” line — legal compliance and neighbour respect — to lower pushback.

Two ready-to-use Airbnb house rules UAE templates

Short version (for listing summary)

• Check-in: 3:00 PM • Checkout: 11:00 AM.
  
• Max X guests. No parties. No smoking inside.
  
• ID required at check-in (per local Holiday Home rules).
  
• Quiet hours 10pm–8am. Cleaners enter after checkout. Report damage within 24 hours.
  
• Tourism Dirham and permit details provided on booking.
  

Full version (for welcome book / pre-arrival)

• Arrival instructions + smart-lock code procedures.
  
• ID/passport collection and registration procedure (how we submit to authorities).
  
• Maximum occupancy and visitor policy (penalty for unregistered guests).
  
• No parties or events; immediate eviction for parties.
  
• Smoking only on the balcony; clean ashtray required.
  
• Pet policy: [allowed/not allowed]; additional cleaning fee applies.
  
• Damage reporting: notify host within 24 hours. Charges billed for replacements/repairs.
  
• Music/noise policy: quiet hours 10pm–8am; neighbours are enforced by building security.
  
• Safety: fire extinguisher/escape points location; emergency contact number.
  
• Checkout checklist + key return procedure.
  
• Tourism Dirham and any municipal fees explained with link to permit.
  

Place the short version in your public listing and the full version in a welcome booklet and pre-arrival message.

Enforcement: practical tips to get guests to follow your Airbnb house rules UAE

1. Show, don’t just tell: include photos of labelled bins, balcony smoking area, and extinguisher. Visual cues increase compliance.
   
2. Pre-arrival message: repeat 3 critical rules (ID, quiet hours, max guests) within 24 hours of arrival. Automation tools like Hospitable or Guesty make this consistent.
   
3. Small deposit + damage procedure: state exact amounts and process so guests understand consequences.
   
4. Noise monitors: use privacy-safe decibel monitors (report levels, not recordings) and disclose in house rules.
   
5. Neighbour escalation plan: have a local contact/manager who can visit if neighbours complain — list this in your rules as a deterrent.
   

Document all interactions and receipts; if you need to involve authorities or the Holiday Homes regulator, paper trails matter.

Local nuances across emirates 

• Dubai (DET/Holiday Homes): strict registration, guest ID submission, Tourism Dirham fees and technical/safety requirements. Include the permit number in your welcome pack.
  
• Sharjah & other emirates: separate holiday-home projects and permitting rules — check emirate guidelines before listing.
  
• Abu Dhabi: different tourism fees and registration process; include any emirate-specific rules in your Airbnb house rules UAE copy if you host there.
  

Always verify the local authority site for the most current permit steps before publishing your rules.

Final checklist before you publish your Airbnb house rules UAE

• Put short rules in the public listing (first 3 bullets).
  
• Add full rules to the welcome book and pre-arrival message.
  
• Include permit number and Tourism Dirham explanation if required.
  
• Automate the “ID required / quiet hours / max guests” reminder 24 hours before arrival.
  
• Keep receipts & photo logs for any damage or enforcement.