Hipcamp Host Standards
Our Hipcamp Host Standards exist to set expectations and serve as guidance for our Host community. All Hosts should review and adhere to these standards around not just providing a positive Hipcamper experience, but also being a thoughtful neighbour, a responsible community member, and an environmental steward.
Stay safe.
Be fire safe.
Do your research to understand and comply with local laws and fire restrictions. If a fire ban is in effect, do not allow fires on your property. If it is safe and legal to have a campfire, know how to create a safe setup and review safety expectations with Hipcampers before they arrive. You can review best practices here.
Prepare guests with safety warnings.
In your listing, provide information about hazards in your area that Hipcampers should be aware of, such as ticks, wild animals, poison oak, dangerous drop-offs, strong currents, flood potential, weather risks, etc. Consider signing up for emergency alerts to receive timely and relevant information during emergencies.
Limit occupancy as needed.
Keep your campground from getting overcrowded—Hipcampers especially love Hipcamps for privacy and safe distances from others. Hosts are responsible for setting the maximum occupancy for each site.
Communicate emergency procedures.
In addition to 000, share any other relevant emergency contact phone numbers with Hipcampers, as well as the location of the nearest hospital and evacuation routes. It’s best to provide this information in advance of the visit and to also post it somewhere accessible onsite.
Minimise hazards.
Before hosting, survey your property to identify any potential hazards or dangers. Consider where visitors might easily trip or fall; don’t allow camping in low-lying, flood-prone areas; help campers practice proper food storage to minimise wildlife encounters; clear the area around designated fire pits to minimise risk of spreading fire; and limit access to tricky terrain. Any hazards should either be removed or clearly marked.
Be a good neighbour.
Let your community know.
If sharing your land is going to affect any of your neighbours (think about shared roads, increased traffic, tents they can see, etc.), consider letting them know about your hosting activity and make it clear that you’re open to their feedback.
Dispose of rubbish, recycling, and compost responsibly.
Make your rubbish removal policies very clear to Hipcampers. Either indicate where exactly they should dispose of their rubbish, recycling, or compost, or explain that they need to take their waste with them when they go and dispose of it responsibly.
Be considerate when it comes to driving and parking.
Provide off-street parking for all Hipcampers, make speed limits clear, and remind them that your community is home to others.
Dispose of human waste responsibly.
Ensure that human waste is disposed of responsibly. If you are hosting self-contained campers only - make sure to let them know where the nearest dump point is.
Be clear with Hipcampers about noise requirements.
If neighbours are close by, consider adding a rule to your listing to establish ‘quiet time’ between certain hours e.g. 10pm -8am.
Limit off-property signage.
Only add publicly visible signs advertising your land as a place for overnight stays in accordance with local laws. Onsite signage is encouraged to direct Hipcampers once they’re on your property.
If allowing pets, set clear rules and expectations.
We love when Hipcampers are allowed to bring their pets, but it’s important that guests understand that they must keep their pets in their control, keep them from causing harm, and ensure they’re reasonably quiet during quiet hours.
Be a good community member.
Pay all relevant taxes.
Depending on your local laws, you may be required to pay taxes on income earned via Hipcamp, read more at this FAQ.
Follow the law.
Rules on hosting Hipcampers vary not only state by state, but council by council. There may be local regulations in your area which need to be followed.
Do your research to ensure your hosting activity is compliant, and know that Hipcamp wants to work with you and your local government to clarify these regulations and create sensible new ones where needed.
Be a respectful Host.
Be responsive.
Create a good experience for Hipcampers by responding to booking requests and inquiries within 24 hours—they’re excited about the idea of staying at your property and it’s disappointing when they don’t hear back. Our support team is happy to help with this if you need it.
Communicate with your Hipcampers.
Staying in contact with your guests before and during their stay helps them feel secure and supported. For a smooth experience, make yourself available to answer any questions they might have, especially around their expected arrival time. Learn more about managing communication with Hipcampers here.
Accept booking requests.
Avoid disappointing potential Hipcampers by keeping your calendar up to date, using our calendar integration tools, and accepting booking requests for available dates. Learn how you can block off dates here.
Maintain positive ratings.
Hosts who set clear expectations, create a stress-free experience, and stay available for Hipcampers almost always get good ratings. If any Hipcampers don’t have a stellar time, Hosts should take the time to address concerns and learn from these experiences. See how to respond to reviews here.
Maintain an accurate listing.
Ensure your listing details are correct and the right expectations are set. Directions should be detailed, photos should be representative of where Hipcampers stay, and your description should be up to date.
Be inclusive.
We expect that everyone works to foster a sense of safety and inclusivity while using Hipcamp, regardless of race, gender identity, sexual orientation, ability, political views, religion, national origin, or culture. This includes Hosts, Hipcampers, and Hipcampers’ guests, too. Using Hipcamp is an agreement to uphold our shared commitment to building resilient communities by fostering a hate-free environment. Learn more about our Inclusion Policy.
Leave the Hipcamp community better.
When interacting with Hipcampers, fellow Hosts, and Hipcamp staff, treat everyone with respect and compassion. One of our core values is to ‘leave it better,’ meaning that we expect you to keep it positive with anyone you may meet as a Hipcamp Host.
Only cancel bookings when necessary.
Cancellations create a disappointing experience for Hipcampers, so Hosts are expected to honor all scheduled bookings. We understand that circumstances beyond your control may lead to a warranted cancellation, and we won’t hold those cases against you. However, we ask that you always communicate with your Hipcampers to explain these situations before canceling. Keep in mind that unwarranted cancellations can impact how your listing appears in search results and even result in deactivation. Learn More here.
Hipcamp listing policies
Rooms, converted garages, or home rentals.
We love that you want to share your home with Hipcampers, but before you list your rental, we ask that you consider our mission to get more people outside. Listings should connect Hipcampers with nature above all. Rooms and home rentals that are a fit on Hipcamp would include farm stays, beach houses or accommodation on acreage.
One-time hosting events.
As incredible as your festival or one-time hosting event is, our platform is not built to support these, so we cannot allow you to list them at this time. If your land is always bookable by Hipcampers and you’re simply sharing a special event on your land through a new listing, that’s okay.
