US Short-Term Rental (Airbnb) Host–Guest Agreement
A legally-structured short-term rental agreement between a US host and guest. Covers house rules, occupancy limits, fees, damage liability, and cancellation — the protections Airbnb's platform terms alone don't give you.
What's included
- Property, host, and guest identification
- Rental period, check-in / check-out times
- Maximum occupancy and guest registration
- Total fees — nightly rate, cleaning, service, taxes
- Security deposit and damage liability
- House rules — noise, smoking, pets, parties, subletting
- Cancellation and refund policy
- Indemnification and limitation of liability
- Governing state law and dispute resolution
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Inside the document
1. Parties and Property
This Short-Term Rental Agreement ("Agreement") is entered into between the Host and the Guest identified below for the short-term occupancy of the property located at the address set out in the booking ("Property"). This Agreement supplements, and does not replace, the terms of the booking platform through which the reservation was made.
2. Rental Period
The Guest may occupy the Property from the check-in date and time until the check-out date and time stated in the booking. Early check-in or late check-out is permitted only with the Host's prior written approval and may incur additional charges.
3. Maximum Occupancy
Occupancy is limited to the number of guests stated in the booking. All overnight guests must be registered with the Host. Exceeding the stated occupancy, or hosting an unregistered event or gathering, is grounds for immediate termination without refund.
4. Fees and Payment
The Guest agrees to pay the nightly rate, cleaning fee, applicable service fees, and all state and local lodging/occupancy taxes as itemized in the booking. All amounts are due in accordance with the platform's payment schedule.
5. Security Deposit and Damage
A security deposit, if required, secures the Guest's obligations. The Guest is responsible for the full cost of any damage to the Property or its contents beyond normal wear and tear, and authorizes the Host to charge for such damage.
6. House Rules
The Guest agrees to: observe quiet hours and comply with all noise ordinances; not smoke inside the Property; not bring pets unless expressly permitted; not host parties or events; and not sublet or reassign the reservation. Additional posted house rules form part of this Agreement.
7. Cancellation and Refunds
Cancellations are governed by the cancellation policy selected at the time of booking. Where local law grants the Guest additional cancellation rights, those rights prevail to the extent required.
8. Indemnification and Liability
The Guest uses the Property and its amenities at their own risk and agrees to indemnify and hold the Host harmless from claims arising from the Guest's use, except to the extent caused by the Host's gross negligence or willful misconduct. Nothing in this section limits liability that cannot be limited under applicable law.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I still need this if I host on Airbnb?
Yes. Airbnb's Terms of Service govern your relationship with the platform, not a full contract between you and the guest. A separate rental agreement lets you enforce house rules, occupancy limits, and damage liability directly.
Is this valid in all 50 states?
The structure applies nationwide, but landlord–tenant and short-term-rental rules are state and city specific. Insert your governing state and have a local attorney confirm any municipal STR ordinance requirements.
Can I have guests sign it electronically?
Yes. E-signatures are valid across the US under the ESIGN Act and state UETA statutes. Many hosts send it via an e-sign tool before check-in.