Does a holiday cottage need house rules?

The Slovak Civil Code expects accommodation to be governed by accommodation rules, under which the price for the stay is paid (Section 754(2)). Written rules also protect both you and your guests: when they are known in advance, damage, noise or a late departure are easier to resolve.

Where should the house rules be published?

Ideally in three places: on your website at booking, in the booking confirmation email and printed in the cottage. Guests then know them before they pay and have them at hand during the stay.

Can I end a stay early if guests break the rules?

The Civil Code allows the host to withdraw from the contract before the agreed end if the guest, despite a warning, grossly violates good morals or otherwise grossly breaches their obligations (Section 759(2)). It is best to give the warning in writing, for example by message.

Can the house rules ask for a security deposit?

Yes, if you tell guests in advance, for example in your offer and in the booking confirmation. State the amount, how it is paid and when and how you return it.

Do the rules cover guest registration?

Yes. Guests should show an identity document on arrival so you can keep the guest register and, for foreign guests, report their stay to the police. For foreign nationals this duty comes from Section 113 of Act No. 404/2011.

House rules for a holiday cottage are a short list of rules that guests accept by booking: check-in and check-out times, quiet hours, smoking, pets, the maximum number of people, use of the equipment, security deposit, damage and guest registration. Below is a template you only need to fill in with your cottage's details. Publish it on your website at booking, send it with the confirmation and leave a printed copy in the cottage.

What house rules should contain and why

Check-in and check-out. Guests need to know when they can arrive and when they must leave so you have time to clean for the next ones. Add what to do in case of a late arrival.

Number of guests. A cottage has a limited number of beds and often insurance or municipal rules too. State that only registered guests may stay and that visitors need your consent.

Guest registration and tourist tax. On arrival you need guests' details for the guest register. For a foreign national you must verify identity, record nationality and date of birth, and deliver the official residence report form to the police within five days of accommodation (Section 113 of Act No. 404/2011). The tourist tax is collected from guests by the operator, and the rate is set by the municipality in its bylaw (Act No. 582/2004).

Use of the cottage. The Civil Code requires the guest to use the premises properly and not to make substantial changes without the host's consent (Section 757). In the rules, spell this out in practical terms: furniture, heating, sauna, grill, fireplace.

Breaking the rules. If a guest, despite a warning, grossly breaches their obligations, you may withdraw from the contract before the end of the stay (Section 759(2) of the Civil Code). It is fair to tell guests this in advance.

Deposit and damage. If you take a security deposit, state the amount, the payment method and when you return it.

House rules template

Template

House rules of [Cottage name]

Welcome to [Cottage name], [address]. Please read these rules. By booking your stay you agree to them.

1. Check-in and check-out

Check-in is from [2 pm], check-out by [10 am].
Please let us know about a later arrival in advance on [phone].
Earlier check-in or later check-out is possible only by agreement.

2. Accommodation and registration

The cottage accommodates no more than [number] people listed in the booking.
On arrival, please show an identity document for all adult guests. We need the details for the guest register and, for guests from abroad, to report their stay.
The tourist tax under the bylaw of [municipality] is €[rate] per person per night. [It is included in the price / It is paid on arrival.]
Visitors are allowed only by agreement with us.

3. Quiet hours and neighbours

Quiet hours are from [10 pm] to [7 am].
Parties and celebrations are [not allowed / allowed only by agreement].

4. Smoking, fire and safety

No smoking inside the cottage. You may smoke on the [terrace / outside].
Use the fireplace, grill and fire pit only as instructed in the cottage. Empty ash into the [metal container].
When leaving, close the windows, switch off appliances and lock up.

5. Pets

Pets are [welcome for a fee of €[amount] / allowed only by agreement / not allowed].

6. Equipment and cleaning

Please treat the equipment with care. Do not move furniture between rooms.
Use the [sauna / hot tub] according to the instructions in the cottage.
Sort waste as labelled. When leaving, wash the dishes and take out the rubbish.

7. Deposit and damage

The refundable security deposit is €[amount], paid [in cash on arrival / by bank transfer in advance].
We return the deposit [on departure / within [number] days] after checking the cottage.
Please report any damage you cause immediately. Repair costs may be offset against the deposit.

8. Breaking the rules

If guests grossly breach these rules despite a warning, we may end the stay early.

9. Contact

[Name], [phone], [email]. In an emergency, call at any time.

Thank you and enjoy your stay.

This template is a guide and does not replace legal advice.

How to adapt the template

Use numbers, not vague words. Guests keep to "check-out by 10 am" better than "check-out in the morning".
Keep only what applies. If you have no sauna or fireplace, leave them out. Short rules get read in full.
Match your website and portals. Check-in times, pets and deposit must be the same on your website, in your portal listings and in the cottage. Contradictions lead to complaints.
Check the tax rate in your municipality's bylaw. Every municipality has its own. More in the guide Tourist tax in Slovakia.
Send them in advance. On a website built on SFERIN you can publish them as a separate page or in the FAQ, so guests see them before sending a booking request.

Related templates: cancellation policy and deposit and booking confirmation.

House rules for a holiday cottage: free template