A Swedish couple vacationing in Istanbul encountered a surprise upon arriving at their Airbnb rental. The duo discovered a prominent note attached directly to their bed frame with an instruction: “Use only to sleep/no other activities.” The unusual house rule quickly captured the internet’s attention after being shared on Reddit by user Responsible-Lack-285.
The guest, who was traveling with his wife, told Newsweek they were “surprised” by the sign but noted there was additional context elsewhere in the apartment explaining that “neighbors are very sensitive to noise,” suggesting the rule might be related to noise complaints rather than any moral judgment or unusual expectation from the property owner.
Viral House Rules Extend Beyond Bedroom
The unusual restrictions didn’t stop at the bedroom. According to the Reddit post, the couple found another instructional note attached to the television remote control that read: “Use only to turn the TV on/off.” Despite these unexpected limitations, the Swedish traveler emphasized to Newsweek that their experience shouldn’t reflect poorly on Istanbul itself.
The guest noted, “If I had one message it’s that the sticker situation shouldn’t reflect on anyone’s perception of Istanbul. It’s a lovely city with great people and we feel very welcome here. It’s more likely a neighbor situation that can happen anywhere.”
When contacted about the situation, an Airbnb spokesperson told Newsweek, “We’ve been unable to verify that this is an Airbnb listing, however our ground rules require hosts to disclose applicable house rules before booking, so guests can make an informed decision about a space, and our 24/7 Community Support team is on hand to help in the rare event of any issues during a stay.”
What Airbnb Hosts Can Actually Enforce
While Airbnb’s platform allows hosts to establish house rules, the company maintains clear boundaries about what can and cannot be enforced. According to Airbnb’s official host guidelines, all applicable house rules must be disclosed before booking to allow guests to make informed decisions. These rules typically cover noise policies, guest limits, pet restrictions, and general property use guidelines.
However, Airbnb explicitly states that hosts cannot charge guests fees for failing to perform specific cleaning or checkout tasks, though they may reflect cleanliness concerns in ratings and reviews. Hosts are required to maintain listing accuracy, meaning amenities and features advertised must be available as described, and any restrictions on amenity use must be fully disclosed on the listing page before booking.
When house rules are violated, Airbnb encourages hosts to first communicate directly with guests to resolve issues. If resolution isn’t possible, hosts can contact Airbnb’s support team or request payment for damages through the Resolution Center.
How Guests Can Identify Controlling Hosts Before Booking
For travelers concerned about overly restrictive or controlling hosts, reviewing all listed house rules before booking is essential. Airbnb’s platform requires hosts to disclose all expectations upfront, as confirmed by an Airbnb spokesperson in a statement to Newsweek.
Red flags include vague rules that could be subjectively enforced, excessive restrictions on normal activities, and rules that contradict advertised amenities. Guests should also check reviews from previous visitors for mentions of unexpected rules or restrictions not listed in the original posting.
If a listing includes language suggesting neighbors are “sensitive to noise,” or the property is in a “very quiet building,” travelers should clarify what specific limitations this might impose on their stay. Checking the host’s response rate and communication tone can also provide insight into their management style.
Airbnb’s platform allows guests to message hosts with specific questions before booking. This communication provides an opportunity to clarify any concerns about house rules and can reveal how flexible or rigid a host might be regarding their expectations.
For guests who encounter unreasonable restrictions after arrival, Airbnb’s Community Support team is available 24/7 to address concerns, especially if rules weren’t properly disclosed before booking. Airbnb’s Rebooking and Refund Policy states that guests who discover issues with their accommodations can report them within 72 hours for potential refunds or rebooking assistance, particularly when listings have “material inaccuracies” or undisclosed restrictions.
