AIBU to be a bit taken aback by some of these ‘House Rules’?

[Speckly]

So I’ve booked an Air bnb for a long weekend. Going on this break will be myself (F54) DH (58) and our two DS (29 and 27). Neither of them live with us any longer but will each be meeting us there. In case it’s relevant the price for 3 nights was £346, which I think is a good price. There was no mention of particular rules in their listing (the first image is the list of rules on the actual Air bnb listing) but today (the day before we leave), we were emailed another list of very specific house rules (the second image is the list received from the owner today).
Now obviously we’re going to respect their property and be careful (we always do when we go away), but I do feel like some of these rules are a little bit over the top: Rules 5 and 6 particularly. Out of interest, do you think it’s ok to tell people what they can and can’t cook in the property when they’ve paid to stay there? To not let people cook fish seems unacceptable to me. Personally, I also don’t think it’s acceptable to tell me where in the property I can and can’t eat. Surely as long as I look after the property and it’s left in a good clean condition, I’ve fulfilled my part of the hire contract? I understand the owners want to keep their property in the best condition possible and I will respect their space, but I just feel like I’m not going to relax now and will be overthinking everything we do while we’re there. So AIBU or are these very specific rules a step too far, especially as they weren’t stated upfront?

Fish korma anyone? 🤣

I don't think they're unreasonable requests but I wouldn't personally choose to stay there because I couldn't relax in that environment.

It’s hardly going to make for a relaxing stay. Over the top rules I think.

I agree that whilst most of the requests are not in themselves unreasonable the length of the list and the tone are just completely unwelcoming and off putting for a hospitality business

I always look at reviews and owners responses to them on any holiday booking sites and I will actively avoid those that appear unreasonable or defensive. There’s a lot of choice of places to stay and I will not give my custom to rude people who begrudge their guests and think the worst of them.

@CeciliaDuckiePond its cheap that’s why they are staying there, IF it was hundreds of pounds for the stay then it may be a bit strict, but it isn’t it’s a bargain at just over £100 a head, so in that respect the owners expectations should be met and respected

And I’m sure they don’t include popcorn or dry roast peanuts and a glass of wine as eating on the sofa.

I’d print off the list and leave it for them with the SPAG corrected.

And have kippers for breakfast.

Why should they be allowed to cook what they want?

The only rule I find OTT is the no curries or fish. Everything else is perfectly reasonable and are rules I would follow even if not written down.

Not exactly a warm welcome. Jeezo, if I’m paying to stay somewhere I’ll eat what I like, where I like. So I just wouldn’t stay here, others presumably less bothered by being told what to do when on holiday, will. Both views are fine.

Whilst I don't think most of these rules are unreasonable as such (other than dictating what you can cook and no snacks on the sofa), some of them would make me worry that the owner would be dropping past to check up on us. Eg. how will they know how quickly we wash up?

I think the rules around pets really need to be made very clear before booking (or at least immediately after). The listing just says dogs only. If dogs are used to being allowed on sofas etc it would be very difficult to keep them off during a stay of a few days so people really need to know this before they book. It sounds like actually they'd be better saying no pets

If they are just concerned about people leaving food mess/stains etc surely they could just say there will be a charge for any damage. It sounds very much like they don't really want other people to use the property

It’s the washing up that needs to be done in a timely manner for me 😂. But do have a pleasant and relaxing holiday! Most of these are just common courtesy and will be automatic for normal people. I wouldn’t class an Airbnb that doesn’t allow pets upstairs or on the sofa to be particularly dog friendly though.

@EverythingElseIsTaken you see that’s the rule I think is the most sensible, both of those things leave lingering smells in the soft furninishings, it could be an open plan arrangement. There are several food choices for ONE night that are not smelly !

We tried to book one for 12 people in Dublin and after booking we got the house rules - it needed to be completely quiet from 7.30pm onwards as next door has young children… we’re not a loud group but how quiet are 12 people socialising over food? It clearly wasn’t going to work. We booked a hotel instead.

I’m a bit torn. The requests all seem pretty reasonable to me - but, for some reason I still get the impression that they’re going to be difficult. Perhaps the ‘pest free, and intend to keep it that way’ part.

I agree the rule about not cooking food that has a smell is ridiculous. Taste and smell are linked - the foods that don't smell are the ones that are bland and flavourless. I wouldn't book an airbnb place that wanted to limit my foods to things that don't taste of much and I would not consider myself bound by "rules" communicated with too short notice to make alternative holiday arrangements, after the booking was made.

When I considered letting on Air BNB at one time, I drew up a list for guests and it was not dissimilar to this, though it was more about quirks of the very old house and things that actually don't work if they're not done properly etc... but seemed so off putting I decided against letting it out at all.

No eating on the sofa or bedrooms??? And the smelly food rule is ridiculous too.

AirBnB owners seem to want guests to look but not touch anything in their properties and then meticulously clean up after themselves before a super early checkout. Total opposite of relaxing! So much easier to just stay in a hotel!

I wouldn't do any of the things mentioned, but seeing them written as rules and regulations has given me the rage, and that would be all I wanted to do all week. I wouldn't obviously, but I would mention the long list of additional rules in the online feedback.

Air BnB owners who allow dogs but later say no dogs on the furniture without stating it at time of booking are annoying. Some dogs are allowed on furniture. Of course I understand why you wouldn’t want dogs on the furniture but it’s very difficult to enforce if dog is allowed on furniture at home and I wouldn’t book somewhere where this was specified

See this is why hotels are great. Eat crisps and drink wine in bed, use all the hot water and free bath stuff, make a total mess and walk out in the morning knowing it will all be clean and tidy when you come back

I think lists as onerous as this should be published upfront. It would make a difference to whether you would have chosen to book the property or not. Id ignore it but treat the property well, as part of your review I would publish the image with the comment you were surprised to receive this after booking. It's not on really.

I don't think they're too bad but sending them after you've booked is out of order. My guess is that this list has evolved and things have been added after bad experiences with previous guests.

Is it open plan OP? Strong cooking smells can remain in soft furnishings so I can sort of understand that one. I would personally have to cancel if I received that list as my little dog cuddles up to us on the sofa and sleeps on my bed.

I would be inclined to copy and paste the rules into my review.

Book a hotel next time. Who can be faffed with following a massive set of rules when you’re just trying to have a relaxing time

Maybe they shouldn’t send an additional extensive list of rules after it’s booked and paid for then!
Nobody said it was expensive. However I can’t afford to just lose £350. You’re lucky if you can…