What to Include in a House Rules Addendum (With a Sample)

A house rules addendum is a signed attachment to the lease that sets the day-to-day rules for living in the property: noise and quiet hours, guests, parking, trash, smoking, pets, shared spaces, alterations and appliances. It keeps the main lease short while making the practical rules enforceable, because the tenant signed them. A good one is specific, consistent with the lease and state law, applied the same way to every tenant, and tied to a clear consequence when a rule is broken.

This guide covers what to include, rules that state law limits, how to add or change rules mid-lease, and a sample addendum you can adapt.

Why use an addendum instead of the lease

You could put every rule in the lease itself. An addendum has a few advantages:

• Readability. Tenants actually read a one- or two-page rules sheet; they skim a long lease.
• Reuse. One rules addendum can go with every lease at a property.
• Updates. Changing a rules addendum at renewal is simpler than redrafting the lease.
• Different properties, different rules. A duplex with a shared yard needs different rules than a single-family house.

The addendum should say it's part of the lease, so a violation of the rules is a violation of the lease. Our lease addendum guide explains how addendums work in general and how they differ from amendments.

What to include

Pick the sections that fit your property. For each rule, be specific enough that a tenant and a judge would read it the same way.

Noise and quiet hours

Set quiet hours (for example, 10 p.m. to 8 a.m.) and describe what counts: amplified music, gatherings, loud equipment. In multi-unit buildings, mention shared walls and floors.

Guests and occupants

State how long a guest can stay (for example, no more than 14 days in any six-month period without written approval) and that anyone staying longer must apply and be added to the lease. This is the rule that catches unauthorized occupants and informal sublets; see subletting rules for landlords.

Parking and vehicles

Assigned spaces, guest parking, no parking on the lawn, no inoperable or unregistered vehicles, and no vehicle repairs beyond minor maintenance. In Texas multiunit complexes, towing or parking rules must be given to the tenant before the lease is signed, signed or placed in the lease under a capitalized, underlined or bold "Parking" heading, with written notice of changes at least 14 days before they take effect (Tex. Prop. Code § 92.0131).

Trash and recycling

Collection days, where bins are stored, bulk-item rules, and that trash can't be left in hallways or on balconies.

Smoking and vaping

Where smoking (including vaping and cannabis) is and isn't allowed: inside the unit, on balconies, in common areas, within a set distance of doors and windows. California requires leases entered on or after January 1, 2012 to include a provision describing the areas where smoking is prohibited if the landlord bans smoking on any part of the property (Cal. Civ. Code § 1947.5).

Pets

If pets are allowed, the details (number, type, waste cleanup, leashes in common areas, noise) usually belong in a separate pet addendum. The rules addendum can simply say no animals without a signed pet addendum. Assistance animals are not pets; see the section on limits below.

Common areas and amenities

Hours for pools, gyms, laundry rooms and yards; who may use them; guest limits; cleanup.

Alterations and decorating

Painting, nail holes, wall mounts, lock changes, satellite dishes, and what needs written approval. Say whether the tenant must restore the unit at move-out. This rule pays off at deposit time; see normal wear and tear examples.

Appliances, fixtures and safety

Don't disable smoke or carbon monoxide detectors; report leaks promptly; no space heaters or grills where they're unsafe; how to use the garbage disposal; replace HVAC filters on a schedule if that's the tenant's job.

Maintenance requests and access

How to report problems and how you'll give notice before entering. Keep this consistent with your state's entry rules; see landlord entry notice by state.

Moving in and out

Move-in and move-out hours, elevator reservations, and the move-out cleaning expectations.

Rules state law limits

A rule that conflicts with state law isn't enforceable, and some states have stepped in on specific topics. Examples from our dataset:

• E-bikes and scooters (California): since 2024, landlords may not ban tenants from owning e-bikes or e-scooters, or from storing and charging one per occupant inside the unit if it's non-electric, meets the listed safety standards, or is insured. A landlord that provides free, secure, on-site long-term storage with charging may require that instead (Cal. Civ. Code § 1940.41).
• EV chargers (Illinois): notwithstanding the lease, a tenant may install a Level 1 or Level 2 charger at their own expense. You may impose safety, registration and reasonable aesthetic rules and require insurance, and charge only listed costs (765 ILCS 1085/35).
• Portable air conditioners and heat pumps (Washington): since June 2026, you generally may not ban, restrict or charge a fee for a tenant-installed portable AC or heat pump, except for listed reasons. If you restrict window-mounted units, the lease must explain the rules (RCW 59.18.740).
• Smoking policy changes (Oregon): from January 2027, landlords of units that share a wall can ban smoking inside units and interior common areas for existing tenants without their consent only with at least 180 days' written notice, a posted designated smoking area, exclusion of accessible units, and after any fixed term ends (2026 Or. Laws c.60).
• Assistance animals (Colorado): since August 2026, allowing an assistance animal is presumed a reasonable accommodation once the interactive process has happened, and a blanket ban on assistance animals is presumed discriminatory (HB 26-1045). A "no animals" rule must always leave room for assistance-animal requests.
• Pet fees and assistance animals (Minnesota): leases with pet fees or deposits must state that service and support animals are exempt (Minn. Stat. § 504B.113).
• Rule-violation fees (Oregon): Oregon landlords may charge only the fees ORS 90.302 lists, which include certain rule-violation fees, and every fee must be in a written rental agreement (ORS 90.302). Elsewhere, check before attaching a fine to a rule.

Fair housing law also applies. Rules must apply equally to every household, can't target families with children (for example, by banning children from common areas), and must allow reasonable accommodations for people with disabilities. See fair housing laws for landlords.

Adding or changing rules mid-lease

A new rule during a fixed-term lease generally needs the tenant's agreement. The practical options:

• Ask the tenant to sign an updated addendum. Explain why the rule is changing.
• Wait for renewal and include the new addendum with the renewal lease.
• Reserve a right to make reasonable rules in the lease, with notice. This works for minor operational rules (laundry room hours) more than for substantial changes (a new smoking ban), and some states set specific procedures, like Oregon's for smoking policy changes above.

For a change to the lease terms themselves, use a signed lease amendment.

Enforcing the rules

When a rule is broken, start with a friendly reminder, then a written notice that cites the rule and the addendum. If the violation is material and continues, your state's lease-violation notice rules apply. Our guide to handling a lease violation has templates and the notice periods by state.

A sample house rules addendum

Adapt this to your property and state.

House Rules Addendum

This Addendum is part of the Lease dated [date] between [Landlord] and [Tenant(s)] for [address]. A violation of these rules is a violation of the Lease. If this Addendum conflicts with the Lease or with law, the Lease or the law controls.

1. Quiet hours are 10 p.m. to 8 a.m. daily. Tenant will keep noise at a level that does not disturb neighbors at all times.

2. Guests may stay no more than 14 nights in any six-month period without Landlord's written approval.

3. Parking: Tenant may park [number] vehicles in [location]. No parking on lawns. No inoperable or unregistered vehicles.

4. Trash must be kept in the provided bins and placed at the curb only on collection day.

5. Smoking of any substance is not permitted [inside the unit / anywhere on the property / within 25 feet of any door or window].

6. Animals: No animals without a signed pet addendum. This rule does not limit requests for reasonable accommodation for an assistance animal.

7. Alterations: No painting, wall mounts larger than [size], lock changes or installations without Landlord's written consent.

8. Safety: Tenant will not disable smoke or carbon monoxide detectors and will report leaks, mold or other problems promptly through [method].

9. Common areas may be used between [hours]. Tenant is responsible for guests' compliance.

Tenant signature(s): ________ Date: ______

Landlord signature: ________ Date: ______

To put the rules into a full lease, start with the lease agreement generator.

Sources

Official sources cited above (checked 2026-10-27):

• California Civil Code § 1940.41 and § 1947.5
• Colorado HB 26-1045 session law
• Illinois 765 ILCS 1085/35
• Minnesota Statutes § 504B.113
• Oregon Laws 2026, chapter 60 (HB 4120)
• Oregon Revised Statutes chapter 90 (ORS 90.302)
• Texas Property Code § 92.0131
• Revised Code of Washington § 59.18.740