Think of the Policies Tab in your RV listing as the central command for your rental rhythm. By dialing in these settings, you’re essentially putting your availability on autopilot—ensuring your Outdoorsy hosting experience stays seamless and aligns perfectly with your life, on and off the road.

What are the policies I can set on my listing?

Trip start and end times

Think of the Trip Start and End Times as the official departure and return times your Guests are expected to honor. This section allows you to dictate exactly when your RV is ready for hand-off and when it needs to be back at base. Setting these clear boundaries ensures a smooth transition and keeps your rental operations running on time without the guesswork.

How to set up your trip start and end times:

Getting your timing right is key to a smooth hand-off. Here’s how to dial in your schedule:

Login to your Host Account: Log in and head to your main command center.
Select your Listing: Go to the Listings tab and click on the specific rig you’d like to update.
Open the Policies Tab: Once you're in the listing editor, select the Policies tab from the menu.
Set your Times: Scroll down to the Trip start and end times section. Use the dropdown fields to select the official departure and return times that work best for your prep rhythm.

Advance Notice

The Advance Notice feature is your best tool for avoiding last-minute scrambles. It automatically blocks out a specific window of time before a new reservation can start, acting as a mandatory buffer period. This gives you the breathing room you need for thorough cleaning, maintenance, or just getting the rig staged for the next adventure.

How to set up your listing's Advance Notice settings:

Preventing last-minute scrambles is easy once you have your buffer dialed in. Just follow these steps:

Login to your Host Account: Log in and head to your main command center.
Select your Listing: Go to the Listings tab and click on the specific rig you’d like to update.
Open the Policies Tab: Once you're in the listing editor, select the Policies tab from the menu.
Set your Advance Notice: Scroll to the Advance Notice section. Use the dropdown field to select the lead time that fits your lifestyle—whether you're open to Same-day bookings or prefer a wider 1 to 7-day buffer.

Pro tip: Most seasoned Hosts in high-traffic areas find that a 2-day Advance Notice is the "sweet spot"; it gives you plenty of time to get the rig sparkling and the tanks prepped without missing out on weekenders.

Turnaround time

Similar to the window between check-out and check-in at a luxury hotel, your Turnaround Time is the essential gap between bookings. Setting this policy ensures you have the dedicated time needed to inspect, clean, and prep your vehicle so it’s in top shape for the next Guest’s adventure.

How to set up your listing's Turnaround Time settings:

Back-to-back bookings are great for the bottom line, but you need time to ensure the rig is pristine for the next Guest. Here’s how to automate that breathing room:

Login to your Host Account: Log in and head to your main command center.
Select your Listing: Go to the Listings tab and click on the specific rig you’d like to update.
Open the Policies Tab: Once you're in the listing editor, select the Policies tab from the menu.
Set your Rental Turnaround Time: Scroll to the Turnaround Time section. Use the dropdown field to select your preferred gap—ranging from Same-day pickup for the high-speed pros, to a wider 1 to 21-night turnaround for those who prefer a more relaxed pace.

Booking approvals

Think of Booking Approvals as your way of setting the pace for your rental business. Whether you want to automate your calendar or personally vet every adventurer who hits the road in your rig, you’ve got total control over how the "handshake" happens.

How to set up your listing's Booking Approval settings:

Login to your Host Account: Log in and head to your main command center.
Select your Listing: Go to the Listings tab and select the specific rig you’d like to update.
Open the Policies Tab: Once you're in the listing editor, select the Policies tab from the menu.
Select your Approval Mode: Scroll to the Booking approvals section and select the option that fits your preference:
- Enable Instant Book for all trips: Guests can book immediately if your calendar is open. No manual approval required.
- Instant Book only for stationary delivery: These trips are booked instantly, while any trip where the Guest drives or tows requires your manual approval.
- Instant Book only for pickup trips: Driving/towing trips are booked instantly, while stationary delivery trips require your manual approval.
- Require manual approval: Choose this if you want to personally review and approve every single request.

Pro tip: Regardless of your choice, keeping your Calendar updated is the best way to ensure a seamless experience for both you and your Guests.

Cancellation policy

We know flexibility is key when you're planning a trip. On Outdoorsy, you have the freedom to choose the protection level that fits your comfort zone—selecting from Flexible, Moderate, or Strict policies.

The 2026 Cancellation Policy Update

To keep things streamlined for the community, our cancellation policies were updated on February 2, 2026.

New Policies: These apply to all bookings created on or after February 2, 2026.
Legacy Policies: These remain in effect only for bookings made prior to February 2, 2026.

Pro tip: If you’re looking at a booking made early this year, double-check the "Booking Created" date to ensure you’re looking at the right set of rules. For a deep dive into the specifics of each tier, check out the Outdoorsy Cancellation Policy Help Center article.

Legacy Outdoorsy Cancellation Policies (in effect for all bookings created before Feb 2, 2026)

New Outdoorsy Cancellation Policies (in effect for all bookings created Feb 2, 2026 and onwards)

How to set up your listing's Cancellation Policy:

Choosing the right protection level helps you host with confidence. Here’s how to lock in your preferred tier:

Login to your Host Account: Log in and head to your main command center.
Select your Listing: Go to the Listings tab and select the specific rig you’d like to update.
Open the Policies Tab: Once you're in the listing editor, select the Policies tab from the menu.
Select Your Policy: Locate the Cancellation Policy section and choose the radio button for the tier that fits your business model:
- Flexible: 100% refund of the nightly rental amount, less the Outdoorsy Service Fee, up to 30 days before pickup, then renter is responsible for 50% of the nightly rental amount for remaining days.
- Moderate: 100% refund of the nightly rental amount, less the Outdoorsy Service Fee, up to 30 days before pickup, then renter is responsible for 50% of the nightly rental amount for remaining days. Cancel 7 or fewer days before your trip begins renter is responsible for 100% of the nightly rental amount, plus the service fee.
- Strict: 100% refund of the nightly rental amount, less the Outdoorsy Service Fee, up to 30 days before pickup, then renter is responsible for 100% of the nightly rental amount for remaining days.

Listing Rules & Guest Policies

Think of these as your "House Rules" for the road. Setting clear boundaries here helps you find the right match for your rig and ensures your Guests know exactly what’s okay—and what’s not—before they book.

Note: These rules aren't just for reading; they act as search filters. When Guests filter for "Pet Friendly" or "Festivals allowed," your rig will only show up if these toggles are active.

How to set up your Listing Rules:

Login to your Host Account: Log in and head to your main command center.
Select your Listing: Go to the Listings tab and select the specific rig you’d like to update.
Open the Policies Tab: Once you're in the listing editor, select the Policies tab from the menu.
Toggle Your Preferences: Locate the section titled "Let guests know what's ok - and what's not" and flip the switches for the rules you want to apply:
- Bring Pets: Toggle this on if you’re happy to welcome furry co-pilots.
- Take it to a Festival: Enable this if your rig is ready for the high-energy vibes of music or art festivals.
- Tailgate at the Big Game: Flip this on if you allow Guests to use the rig as a home base for sporting events or major gatherings.
- Smoke in Your Rig: Only toggle this if you allow smoking inside the vehicle. (Most Hosts keep this off to maintain that fresh-air feel!)

Rules of the road

Got some specific "dos and don’ts" that are unique to your rig? The Rules of the Road section is your catch-all for any custom policies that aren't covered by the standard toggles. Whether it’s a tip on how to handle the awning or a reminder about specific off-road limits, this is where you lay it all out.

How to add your custom Rules of the Road:

Login to your Host Account: Log in and head to your main command center.
Select your Listing: Go to the Listings tab and select your rig.
Open the Policies Tab: Choose the Policies tab from the menu.
Write Your Rules: Scroll down to the Rules of the Road (optional) text box. Type in your custom instructions and hit save.

Pro tip: When you add content here, it doesn't just sit on your listing—it’s also automatically included on the Guest’s booking receipt. This ensures your custom rules are front and center and clearly understood before the keys ever change hands.