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House Rules in Four Languages: A Ready-to-Copy Template for Alojamento Local

published 28 September 2026

House rules are what prevents most neighbour disputes, unauthorised parties and emergency clean-ups in a short-term rental. For Alojamento Local (AL), Portugal's short-term rental regime, they are more than good practice: the law requires an information book with house rules, in several languages. This article explains what it must contain, how to write rules without sounding hostile, and gives you a template in Portuguese, English, French and Spanish, ready to adapt.

What the Law Requires: the Information Book

According to Turismo de Portugal's technical guide to Alojamento Local, every AL must have an information book (livro de informações) available to guests in Portuguese, English and at least two other foreign languages, covering how the property works and its internal rules of use. It must include, in particular, rules on:

  1. Rubbish collection and separation;
  2. How the appliances work;
  3. Noise, and the care needed to avoid disturbing the neighbours' peace and rest;
  4. The phone number of the person responsible for running the property.

If the property is in a building shared with other owners, the book must also cover the condominium rules relevant to using the property and the common areas.

The same guide notes that the operator may refuse access to anyone who disrupts the property's normal running or disregards rules of conduct, operation or noise. Rules that are written down and shared before arrival are what give that decision a basis.

What Your House Rules Should Cover

Beyond the four mandatory points, the rules that prevent the most trouble are:

  • Quiet hours: from what time, and what that means in practice (music, balcony, stairwell).
  • Smoking: where it is allowed, if anywhere.
  • Parties and events: if they are banned, say so plainly.
  • Occupancy and visitors: maximum number of overnight guests and rules for visitors.
  • Rubbish and recycling: where the bins are, what goes in each recycling container, collection days.
  • Pets: whether they are accepted and on what terms.
  • Check-out: time, and what to do with keys, rubbish and dishes.
  • Damage: ask guests to tell you as soon as something breaks.

How to Write Rules Without Sounding Hostile

A list of prohibitions in capital letters signals distrust and rarely changes behaviour. A few writing rules:

  • Explain why. "Our neighbours go to bed early" works better than "NO NOISE".
  • Say what guests can do, not only what they cannot: "You may smoke on the balcony" rather than "No smoking".
  • Be specific. "Quiet from 10 pm" is clear; "respect the neighbours" is not.
  • Keep it short. Ten rules that get read beat thirty that get ignored.
  • Use the guest's language. A rule rushed through a machine translator can come across as rude or ambiguous.

House Rules Template

Replace the values in square brackets with your property's details and delete anything that does not apply.

Português

  1. Silêncio: pedimos silêncio entre as [22h00] e as [8h00]. Os vizinhos vivem aqui todo o ano.
  2. Fumo: não é permitido fumar dentro de casa. Pode fumar [na varanda / no jardim].
  3. Festas: não são permitidas festas nem eventos.
  4. Hóspedes: a casa acolhe no máximo [4] pessoas a pernoitar. Visitas até às [22h00].
  5. Lixo: separe o lixo. Os ecopontos ficam [localização]. Não deixe sacos no patamar.
  6. Animais: [não são aceites animais / animais aceites mediante pedido prévio].
  7. Check-out: até às [11h00]. Deixe as chaves [local], feche as janelas e desligue as luzes e o ar condicionado.
  8. Danos: se algo se partir ou avariar, avise-nos logo. Acontece, e é mais fácil resolver cedo.
  9. Contacto: [nome], [telefone]. Em caso de emergência, ligue 112.

English

  1. Quiet hours: please keep noise down between [10 pm] and [8 am]. Our neighbours live here all year round.
  2. Smoking: no smoking indoors. You may smoke [on the balcony / in the garden].
  3. Parties: parties and events are not allowed.
  4. Guests: the home sleeps a maximum of [4] people. Visitors until [10 pm].
  5. Rubbish: please separate your rubbish. Recycling bins are [location]. Do not leave bags on the landing.
  6. Pets: [pets are not allowed / pets welcome on prior request].
  7. Check-out: by [11 am]. Leave the keys [place], close the windows and switch off the lights and air conditioning.
  8. Damage: if something breaks or stops working, please tell us straight away. It happens, and it is easier to fix early.
  9. Contact: [name], [phone]. In an emergency, call 112.

Français

  1. Silence : merci de respecter le calme entre [22 h] et [8 h]. Nos voisins vivent ici toute l'année.
  2. Tabac : il est interdit de fumer à l'intérieur. Vous pouvez fumer [sur le balcon / dans le jardin].
  3. Fêtes : les fêtes et les événements ne sont pas autorisés.
  4. Voyageurs : le logement accueille au maximum [4] personnes pour la nuit. Visites jusqu'à [22 h].
  5. Déchets : merci de trier vos déchets. Les conteneurs de tri se trouvent [emplacement]. Ne laissez pas de sacs sur le palier.
  6. Animaux : [les animaux ne sont pas acceptés / animaux acceptés sur demande préalable].
  7. Départ : avant [11 h]. Laissez les clés [endroit], fermez les fenêtres et éteignez les lumières et la climatisation.
  8. Dégâts : si quelque chose se casse ou tombe en panne, prévenez-nous tout de suite. Cela arrive, et c'est plus simple de le régler rapidement.
  9. Contact : [nom], [téléphone]. En cas d'urgence, appelez le 112.

Español

  1. Silencio: rogamos silencio entre las [22:00] y las [8:00]. Los vecinos viven aquí todo el año.
  2. Tabaco: no se permite fumar dentro de la casa. Puede fumar [en el balcón / en el jardín].
  3. Fiestas: no se permiten fiestas ni eventos.
  4. Huéspedes: la casa admite un máximo de [4] personas para dormir. Visitas hasta las [22:00].
  5. Basura: separe la basura, por favor. Los contenedores de reciclaje están [ubicación]. No deje bolsas en el rellano.
  6. Mascotas: [no se admiten mascotas / mascotas admitidas previa solicitud].
  7. Salida: antes de las [11:00]. Deje las llaves [lugar], cierre las ventanas y apague las luces y el aire acondicionado.
  8. Daños: si algo se rompe o deja de funcionar, avísenos enseguida. Puede pasar, y es más fácil solucionarlo pronto.
  9. Contacto: [nombre], [teléfono]. En caso de emergencia, llame al 112.

These four languages meet the minimum of Portuguese, English and two further foreign languages. Add appliance instructions and, where relevant, the condominium rules, which also belong in the information book.

How to Make Sure Guests Read Them

A binder in the hallway drawer meets the letter of the law, but few guests open it. What works better:

  • Send the rules before arrival, together with the check-in instructions, not just at the door.
  • Put the key rules first: quiet hours, parties, smoking and check-out at the top.
  • Use the guest's language from the very first message.
  • Keep a printed copy at the property, for guests who do not use their phone and to show during an inspection.
  • Remind guests the day before check-out of the departure time and what to do with the keys.

See also our guide to self check-in, where house rules go out in the same message as arrival instructions.

How ciceroni Helps

With ciceroni, each stay gets its own digital guide, in Portuguese, English, French and Spanish, which the host sends to the guest before arrival. The house rules sit in that guide, alongside check-in instructions and contacts, on the guest's phone for the whole stay. When a guest asks "can I smoke on the balcony?" or "what time is check-out?", an AI concierge answers on WhatsApp or in the guide, at any hour, using only what the host wrote, and passes anything it cannot answer to the host. It is free during launch; afterwards pricing will be per stay, with no monthly fee and no commission.

FAQ

Are house rules mandatory for Alojamento Local?

Yes, in the form of an information book. It must be available in Portuguese, English and at least two other foreign languages, with rules on rubbish, appliances, noise and the contact of the person in charge.

Which languages do I need?

Portuguese, English and at least two other foreign languages. French and Spanish are a common choice, as they cover a large share of guests in Portugal.

Can I refuse entry to a guest who ignores the rules?

The operator may refuse access to anyone who disrupts the property's normal running or disregards rules of conduct, operation or noise. Having the rules in writing and sharing them before arrival matters when justifying that decision.

Can my house rules be digital only?

Turismo de Portugal's guide does not specify the format. Sending the rules digitally helps guests actually read them, but it is sensible to keep a printed copy at the property as well.

Sources

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