When you are sharing use of a valuable resource it's important that everyone is on the same page when it comes to rules. These shouldn't be onerous or draconian, rules are most effective when they are kept as simple as possible and focus on safety, liability and consideration of others.
Most 'house rules' have some basic elements in common so we thought it would be helpful to share some examples here for anyone looking for a place to start.
Resercal Editable Rules Page & Acceptance
FYI Resercal includes a 'Rules' page that managers can edit. On day one you can paste your rules into the page and save it, or type them in directly. Later on when you want to make a change it is an easy process to quickly edit and save again.
This feature is particularly useful because everyone can rely on the Resercal rules page as being the current version. Rules that are sent out at the start of the year on paper can be easily lost, become out of date, or just not on hand when needed.
Another standard feature in the app is the 'rules acceptance checkbox'. When someone in your group makes a reservation they must check a box that says 'I have read and accept the rules.' The last two words link to the rules page so members can quickly go there and review the rules.
Rules Checklist
You can copy and paste the text below into your page editor or directly into your Resercal rules page editor, then make changes and add information as needed.
- Arrival and Departure times
- Who may use it and who must be there during use. E.g. family member adult
- Limits on use: consecutive nights/hours/day parts, seasonal limits, peak and off-peak times
- Guest policy and limits on guest use
- Third party rental/events policy
- Information on expense sharing and payment deadlines
- Usage fees/allowances if used
- Information on earning additional 'free' use through helping with major projects such as opening day, closing day and repairs like carpentry, painting etc.
- Cleaning: cleaning schedule and member responsibilities vs. cleaning service duties (e.g. laundry & trash).
- Departure checklist location - check off each item on the list and then sign and date at the bottom before you leave.
- Smoking, fireplaces, flues, power outlets and any other fire risk rules.
- Are pets allowed? Lease/clean up rules, and are they allowed upstairs/on furniture?
- Noise and any other neighborly considerations.
- If you notice anything in need of repair, please notify <MANAGER NAME>
- Users of this website agree to have read and understand the <YOUR PLACE NAME> Rules and pledge to uphold and abide by them. Members take responsibility for their conduct and the conduct of their guests while at <YOUR PLACE NAME>.
A Ski House Rules Example
Welcome to the ski house. The number one rule is respect; for the property and for each other, particularly for each other's safety during the COVID-19 pandemic.
- Arrival is after 12pm on the date of your first night.
- Departure is before 12pm on the day following your last night (Sunday at 12pm if Saturday was your last night).
- Please leave a 24hour air-out buffer between pod visits.
- Schedule visit on the online calendar.
- Visit only in social distancing 'pod'.
- If you intend to cancel please do so at least 48 hours before your visit is scheduled to start. Later cancellations will incur use fees.
- Cleaners visit the first Wednesday of the month. If you want to schedule that date please contact .
- Bring your own sheets and pillowcases, strip beds and leave bedroom clean with trash removed.
- Bag all your trash and leave it in the black trash cans in the barn with the lid tightly sealed. Recycling goes in the blue bins.
- No smoking inside the house or within 10 feet of the exterior.
- Promptly clear snow from the exterior doors and shovel walkway boards (before it melts and refreezes into ice).
- Don't start a fire unless you know how to operate the flue and close flues before you leave.
- Guest fees are $XX with a limit of 10 guest night stays per member per season.
Your Rules and Suggestions?
What rules have we forgotten to include? What do you find useful/too onerous in your shared property rules? Do you have a template we can share here for a different use case such as a shared airplane or hunting camp? Please contact us or leave a comment below if you found this post useful or have something to add. Thanks!