Table of Contents: Vacation House

A vacation house is supposed to feel effortless. You show up, you exhale, you immediately forget what day it is, and the
only hard decision is “beach first or nap first?” Then reality taps you on the shoulder: the Wi-Fi password is a scavenger
hunt, the trash day is a mystery, and someonesomehowhas turned the thermostat into a philosophical debate.

That’s why a Vacation House Table of Contents is secretly the most powerful amenity you can offer. Not a hot tub.
Not a fancy espresso machine. A clear, friendly, well-organized guide that tells people how to use the house without having
to text you at 11:47 p.m. asking where the extra blankets live (spoiler: “in the closet” is rarely helpful when there are
five closets and one of them contains board games from 1998).

This article shows you how to build a table of contents for a vacation house guide (a.k.a. welcome book, house manual,
vacation rental handbookchoose your favorite label). You’ll get a ready-to-steal sample table of contents, plus what to
include under each section so the house basically runs itself. And yes, we’ll keep it humanbecause nobody relaxes while
reading something that sounds like a toaster warranty.

Quick Table of Contents for Your Vacation House Guide

Why a Vacation House TOC Matters

Think of a table of contents as the house’s “front desk.” In hotels, guests don’t need to guess where the ice machine is
or how to work the TVsomeone already built a system. Your vacation house guide does the same thing, and the TOC is what
turns that guide from “a long scroll of text” into “answers in 10 seconds.”

A strong TOC does three big jobs:

• Reduces repeat questions: Guests can find the Wi-Fi, parking info, and trash schedule without contacting you.
• Protects your property: Clear instructions prevent “I didn’t know” mishaps (like running the fireplace with the flue closed).
• Boosts guest experience: Fewer friction points = more relaxed guests = better reviews.

What This Guide Is (and Isn’t)

Your vacation house guide is not a novel. It’s not a legal document. It’s not a manifesto about the correct way to load a
dishwasher (although you will be tempted).

It is a short, practical reference that helps someone who has never been in your home:

• Arrive smoothly (check-in)
• Use the home confidently (amenities + how-to)
• Stay safe (safety info + emergency steps)
• Leave easily (check-out)

Your TOC should mirror those real-life moments. If a guest is likely to ask it during a stay, it deserves a section.

How to Build a TOC in 30 Minutes

1) Start with guest “pain points,” not your room-by-room tour

Guests don’t think, “Ah yes, let me read the chapter on the guest bedroom.” They think: “Where do I park?” “How do I get
in?” “Why won’t the TV do the thing?” Build your TOC around the order people experience the house:
arrival → settling in → daily living → safety → departure.

2) Collect your “answers” in one messy document first

Before you polish anything, dump notes into a scratch file: Wi-Fi name/password, thermostat tips, garbage pickup days,
contact numbers, appliance instructions, and any quirks (“The porch door stickslift gently, like you’re opening a museum
display case.”). Messy first drafts are how good guides are born.

3) Keep the TOC shallow (2 levels deep is plenty)

If your TOC needs sub-sub-sub-sections, your guide is trying too hard. Use:
H2 for main sections, H3 for key subtopics. That’s it. Vacation brains are delicate. Handle with care.

4) Make the TOC clickable (even in print)

If your guide is digital (PDF, Google Doc, listing portal), add links. If it’s printed, add page numbers. Either way,
your TOC should let someone jump directly to “Hot Tub Rules” without reading your entire origin story.

Sample Table of Contents: Vacation House

Here’s a flexible, guest-friendly sample TOC you can adapt for a family cabin, beach condo, lake house, ski chalet, or
“tiny house that somehow has four coffee makers.”

1. Welcome
   • How to use this guide
   • What makes this house special (1 short paragraph)
   • Emergency info at a glance
2. Check-In
   • Address + map pin notes (landmarks help)
   • Parking instructions
   • Entry method (keypad / lockbox / key)
   • First 5 minutes: lights, thermostat, Wi-Fi
3. House Rules
   • Occupancy, visitors, quiet hours
   • Smoking/vaping policy
   • Pets (if allowed): where they can’t go, cleanup expectations
   • Parties/events: the simple truth
4. Safety
   • Emergency contacts + local hospital/urgent care
   • Fire safety (smoke alarms, extinguisher locations, exit routes)
   • Carbon monoxide safety
   • Pool/hot tub/water safety (if applicable)
   • Weather hazards (storms, extreme heat/cold)
5. Wi-Fi & Tech
   • Wi-Fi name/password
   • TV/streaming instructions
   • Speaker systems, game consoles (if you’re brave)
   • Common troubleshooting (the “Did you try turning it off and on?” chapter)
6. Kitchen & Dining
   • Appliance basics (stove, microwave, dishwasher)
   • Coffee setup
   • Trash + recycling
   • Water/ice filter notes (if needed)
7. Bedrooms, Bathrooms & Laundry
   • Extra linens + towels location
   • Laundry instructions
   • Septic reminders (if applicable)
8. Heating, Cooling & Utilities
   • Thermostat tips (simple, with a “please don’t” note)
   • Ceiling fans
   • Fireplace/wood stove (clear steps + safety)
9. Outdoor Spaces
   • Grill instructions + cleanup
   • Fire pit rules
   • Beach gear / bikes / kayak notes
10. Local Guide
    • Top 10 places (food, coffee, family fun)
    • Grocery stores + pharmacy
    • Bad-weather plan
    • Seasonal tips (snow, hurricanes, wildfire smoke, etc.)
11. Check-Out
    • Checkout time
    • Key return steps
    • What to do with trash
    • Quick “before you go” checklist
12. Contact & Support
    • How to reach the host/property manager
    • When to call 911 vs. when to call you
    • Preferred repair/maintenance contacts (optional for guests)

Safety Essentials to Include (Even if It Feels Obvious)

Vacation homes often sit empty between stays, which can turn “small issues” into “surprise plot twists.” Your guide
should include safety essentials in plain language. No fear-mongering. Just calm clarity.

Smoke alarms, carbon monoxide alarms, and fire basics

Put the locations of smoke alarms, carbon monoxide alarms, and fire extinguishers in the guide, plus a one-line reminder
to call emergency services first in a true emergency. If your house has multiple levels or a basement, note that too.
Add an “exit route” sentence: “Front door, back patio door, and the downstairs sliding door are the primary exits.”

Pool and hot tub safety (layers matter)

If you have a pool, your guide should clearly state barrier expectations (fences/gates), basic supervision rules, and any
property-specific details like covers, alarms, or where the gate latch is located. For hot tubs, include the “how to open,
how to close, how to lock” instructions and a short list of do-not-dos (glass near the tub, running jets with the cover on,
leaving kids unattendedcommon sense, but common sense goes on vacation too).

Water systems: the “nobody thinks about this” chapter

Vacation properties can have periods of low water use. If your home sits empty for stretches, include simple “first day”
steps for guests if appropriate (like letting hot water run briefly in a rarely used bathroom). If you set water heater
temperatures for health and maintenance reasons, mention it clearly and add a scalding caution for families with kids.

First aid and emergency supplies

List exactly where your first aid kit is (not “in a drawer,” but “top shelf of the kitchen pantry next to the flashlight”).
Keep a small emergency stash: a flashlight, extra batteries, and a printed card with the property address (so guests can
tell dispatch where they are without squinting at a mailbox in the dark).

House Rules People Actually Read

House rules work best when they’re short, friendly, and written like you’ve met other humans before. Avoid “NO” in all caps
unless the goal is to make guests feel like they’re being scolded by a traffic cone.

Use “why” when it matters

Guests comply more when the rule feels reasonable. Compare:
“Do not flush anything except toilet paper.” (Fine.)
versus
“Septic system: please flush only toilet paper to avoid backups.” (Fine, plus it explains the stakes.)

Focus on the big four

• Occupancy & visitors: “Registered guests only” is easier than writing a whole courtroom drama.
• Noise: Quiet hours, especially in shared communities.
• Smoking/vaping: Where it’s allowed (if anywhere), and disposal instructions.
• Pets: Allowed/not allowed, and any boundaries (furniture, beds, cleanup).

If you host on major platforms, align your guide with your listing rules so guests see one consistent set of expectations.
Consistency is how you avoid the classic message: “But I didn’t know!” (Yes, you did. It was in three places.)

Check-In & Check-Out That Don’t Cause Group Chats

Check-in: write it like you’re guiding a friend who’s mildly lost

Great check-in instructions are specific and timed. Include:

• Arrival window: the check-in time and whether early arrival is possible.
• Parking: how many cars, where to park, what not to block.
• Entry: keypad steps or lockbox location, plus what to do if the lock acts up.
• First five minutes: lights, thermostat, Wi-Fi, and where to find the guide itself.

Check-out: keep it “clear and simple,” not “surprise chores”

Guests should not need a whiteboard and a project manager to leave your house. The best checkout lists are short and
predictable: take out trash, run the dishwasher (optional), lock up, return keys. If you charge a cleaning fee, don’t
assign an entire Saturday worth of scrubbingpeople did not book a vacation house to cosplay as your cleaning crew.

Include a quick checklist like this:

• Place used towels in the bathroom hamper (no need to wash)
• Load dishwasher with used dishes (no need to start unless you prefer)
• Trash: tie bags and place in the outdoor bin by the driveway
• Set thermostat to 72°F in summer / 68°F in winter (adjust to your preference)
• Lock doors and confirm the keypad beeps

Operations: Make the House “Self-Driving”

This section is where you save yourself hours of explaining the same thing repeatedly. Think of it as your “FAQ, but for
a building.” Keep it practical, and always include the one detail people forgetwhere the stuff is.

What to include in operations

• Trash & recycling: pickup days, bin locations, and what goes where.
• Thermostat: simple settings, plus “don’t switch it from heat to cool every 10 minutes.”
• Appliances: dishwasher basics, stove quirks, and how to reset the microwave clock (optional, for the brave).
• Internet/routers: where the router is and what to do if it drops.
• Outdoor gear: where to find it and how to put it back (bikes, beach chairs, kayaks, etc.).
• Parking and neighborhood notes: guest parking rules, HOA rules if relevant.

Pro tip: If you have a “mystery switch,” label it or explain it. Guests love a switch with unknown power. It’s like a
casino lever, except the jackpot is accidentally turning off the patio lights.

Local Guide: Sell the Stay Without Writing a Novel

Your local guide is where you turn a nice house into a great trip. But keep it curated. A list of 63 restaurants is not a
guideit’s a cry for help.

A simple local guide template that works

• Top 5 eats: one line each, with what to order
• Grocery + pharmacy: addresses and hours notes (especially if things close early)
• Family-friendly picks: parks, easy trails, kid-safe beaches
• Rainy-day plan: museums, arcades, movie theaters
• Seasonal tips: snow chains, hurricane season reminders, wildfire smoke awareness

Add a “favorites” note that sounds like a real person wrote it: “If you do one thing, get sunrise coffee at ____ and walk
the pier.” It makes the stay feel hosted, not just rented.

Owner Corner (Optional): Money, Maintenance, and Receipts

If your vacation house is a personal retreat and an investment, you may want an owner-only section (not necessarily
for guests) that keeps your life organized: maintenance dates, appliance model numbers, paint colors, and service contacts.
This is also where some owners track tax-related notes and mortgage information for their files.

If you’re in the U.S. and you itemize deductions, mortgage interest rules can be relevant for primary and secondary homes.
The limits and qualifications can be specific, so many owners keep a “finance folder” and note what documents to save.
(This is not tax advicejust a reminder that your future self will appreciate organized paperwork.)

Owner-only items worth tracking

• Utility account numbers and service logins
• Warranty info and purchase receipts for big appliances
• Seasonal maintenance checklist (HVAC, gutters, pest control)
• Service providers: plumber, electrician, HVAC, pool/spa tech
• Emergency contacts and insurance policy details

Make It Look Good (and Easy to Scan)

The best vacation house guides are skimmable. Use:

• Short paragraphs (2–4 sentences)
• Bullets for steps and lists
• Bold labels (Wi-Fi, Trash Day, Quiet Hours)
• Icons if you want (🔑 for check-in, 📶 for Wi-Fi, 🧯 for safety)

If you print it, keep it under ~15 pages if possible, use a readable font, and protect it (binder, laminated pages, or a
clean folder). If it’s digital, make the TOC clickable and keep the file name obvious: “Vacation House Guide – Read Me First.”

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Burying the essentials: If Wi-Fi is on page 12, you will receive texts. Many texts.
• Writing rules like a courtroom transcript: Friendly clarity beats legalese.
• Overloading checkout: Keep it simple and aligned with what you charge for cleaning.
• Assuming guests know the area: Include basic directions and where to get necessities.
• Outdated info: Update passwords, contacts, and local recommendations regularly.

Conclusion

A “Table of Contents: Vacation House” might sound like a small detailbut it’s the backbone of a smooth stay. When your TOC
is organized around real guest moments (arrive, settle in, enjoy, stay safe, leave), your guide becomes something people
actually use. That means fewer interruptions for you, fewer surprises for guests, and a vacation house that feels calm,
confident, and easy.

Start with the sample TOC, customize it to your home’s quirks, and keep it simple enough that someone can find the answer
before their coffee gets cold. Because vacation is not the time for a research project.

Extra: of Real Vacation-House Table-of-Contents Experiences

The first time you hand someone a vacation house guide with a clear table of contents, you can practically hear the angels
of hospitality harmonizing in the distance. Not because guests are obsessed with documentation (they are not), but because
a good TOC prevents the kind of tiny frustrations that add up fastespecially after a long drive, a late flight, or a toddler
who decided sleep is a conspiracy.

Here’s a classic scenario: a family arrives at 9 p.m., hungry and hopeful. They walk in, drop bags, and immediately ask the
universal question: “What’s the Wi-Fi?” If the answer is hidden in paragraph nine of a “Welcome!” page, they’re going to
text you. If your TOC has a bold, obvious “Wi-Fi & Tech” section, they’ll find it in seconds and move on to streaming a movie
like civilized vacationers.

Another greatest hit: the “mystery thermostat.” Guests don’t want to break your system; they just want to be comfortable.
But without a quick “Heating & Cooling” section, they’ll start pressing buttons like they’re trying to defuse a bomb in an
action movie. A simple note“Use AUTO, set 72°F, please don’t switch modes rapidly”saves your equipment and your sanity.
Bonus points if you include what to do if it’s not responding (“Replace batteries in the wall unit” or “Call us if the screen
is blank”).

Then there’s checkout day. Guests are usually willing to do a couple of small things; they just don’t want surprises.
If your TOC has a “Check-Out” section with a short checklist, people can plan their morning. They’ll know whether to take
trash out, where to leave keys, and what time to be gone. Without that, they’re guessingand guessing turns into messages like
“Do we strip the beds?” sent exactly when you’re in a meeting or, ironically, trying to enjoy your own vacation.

Safety sections also come alive in real moments. Power outages happen. Storms happen. Someone will eventually ask, “Do you
have a flashlight?” If your guide says, “Flashlight is in the kitchen drawer labeled ‘LIGHT,’” you look like a genius.
If it says nothing, guests will use their phone flashlights, drain their batteries, and suddenly your house manual becomes
a thriller.

Finally, the local guide: guests don’t want 40 options. They want confidence. A few curated picks (“Best breakfast,” “Best
casual dinner,” “Best view at sunset”) turns your place into a story they tell later. The funniest part is that none of this
requires fancy tech or a 50-page handbook. It requires a table of contents that mirrors how people actually live inside your
vacation housearrive, find the basics, relax, explore, and leave without stress. When your TOC does that, guests feel taken
care of, and you get the kind of review that makes hosting (or sharing your second home) feel worth it.