Vacation House Rules: Pack These Essential Tips For Staying In A Summer Rental

If you're planning to stay in a vacation rental this summer, you'll have to follow a few basic vacation house rules — some written, some not. A new study by Europ Assistance and its subsidiary Generali Global Assistance concludes vacation rentals are a top choice for most travelers. The research found 78% of travelers prefer rentals over hotels, and will continue to do so after the pandemic. Almost 9 out of 10 people (86%) said they would book a rental in the next 18 months. Why? Vacation rentals are more private and thought to be safer than traditional hotel accommodations. But there's a catch: Vacation rentals are not hotels. They are homes, and each has its own vacation house rules. You can read some of them in the guest folder in your rental. Others, you just have to know. I talk to vacation rental guests almost every day through my nonprofit consumer advocacy site. But, as a full-time digital nomad, I also deal with many vacation rental owners. And I can tell you that for every written vacation house rule, there's an unwritten one. The published rules cover everything from the maximum number of guests to pets. The unwritten ones cover amenities, courtesy, and timeliness — among many other things. You'll want to know both before you stay in a vacation rental this summer. Here are the vacation house rules you need to know "When booking, travelers must agree to the host’s rules and policies, which include the cancellation policy, damage policy, and house rules," explains Alison Kwong, a spokeswoman for Vrbo. "House rules help hosts avoid surprises during the stay and can protect the vacation home." When you rent a home, the house rules will be displayed on the listing page and the owner might send you more detailed vacation house rules once you book. Typically, they'll also be in the guest folder when you arrive. Here are the items most frequently found in vacation house rules (continue reading by clicking the link)