What makes a vacation rental property a Vacation Home For Good™
Vacation Homes for Good™ are recognized for how they welcome guests, support their communities, and care for the places they operate. Certification highlights homes that meet higher standards across guest experience, local engagement, and responsible stewardship.
How homes are evaluated
Each certified property:
applies through a simple online review process
demonstrates practices across the 5 Pillars (see list below)
meets local compliance expectations
agrees to ongoing certification standards
renews annually to maintain recognition
may be recognized in regular award and media programs
The Five Pillars of a Vacation Home For Good™
The Five Pillars of a Vacation Home for Good™ define the practices that support better stays for guests, positive outcomes for destination communities, and meaningful recognition for hosts.
Pillar 1: Responsible Guest Experience
Set clear expectations that encourage respectful use of the home and consideration of neighbors and community.
Required commitments:
Maintain guest-facing house expectations or rules.
Clearly communicate expectations related to noise, parking, occupancy, outdoor use, or neighborhood considerations where relevant.
Include guest-facing guidance that encourages respectful behavior toward neighbors, local environments, and community norms.
Examples of documentation:
House rules, welcome guide, guest messaging, property manual, digital guidebook.
Pillar 2: Thoughtful Hospitality
Provide welcoming, well-maintained guest experiences grounded in care, communication, and transparency.
Required commitments:
Maintain accurate listing descriptions and transparent guest expectations.
Provide clear guest communication before and during stays.
Maintain a clean, safe, and thoughtfully prepared guest experience.
Demonstrate consideration for guests with varying needs through respectful communication and transparent property information, including relevant accessibility considerations where applicable.
Examples of documentation:
Listing screenshots, guest communications, welcome materials, property information, house manual.
Pillar 3: Community Alignment
Support destination communities through local connection, contribution, and community-minded practices.
Required commitments:
Maintain and share recommendations for locally owned businesses, experiences, or services with guests.
Prioritize locally owned businesses and source local goods or services where practical.
Commit to the 1% Community Contribution Standard through direct local giving, the VH4G Community Fund, or a combination of both.
Provide annual confirmation of contribution.
Examples of documentation:
Guest guide, welcome book, local recommendations, vendor examples, donation receipts, contribution confirmation.
Encourage responsible care for the property and surrounding environment through thoughtful operating practices.
Required commitments:
Encourage respectful use of local natural environments where relevant.
Maintain reasonable sustainability-minded practices appropriate to the property and location.
Share destination-specific guidance where relevant (for example: recycling, wildfire safety, Leave No Trace, wildlife awareness, water conservation).
Examples of documentation:
Guest guide, posted guidance, sustainability practices, stewardship messaging, property materials.
Pillar 4: Environmental Stewardship
Pillar 5: Transparency & Responsible Operations
Communicate property features, expectations, and hosting practices clearly and responsibly.
Required commitments:
Provide accurate information about the property and guest experience.
Clearly communicate important limitations, accessibility considerations, or unique property conditions where relevant.
Participate in annual recognition renewal and standards confirmation.
Examples of documentation:
Listing details, property information, renewal documentation.
How Certification Is Verified
Vacation Homes for Good™ certification is awarded through a simple review process designed to evaluate alignment across the program’s five pillars of community-centered hosting. Hosts complete a standards pledge, certification checklist, and submit supporting information demonstrating alignment with program expectations. Materials may include examples of guest guidance (rules, signage, guidebooks), community contribution practices, property stewardship measures, and operational transparency.
Each property is individually reviewed prior to approval and, upon designation, receives a unique certification identifier. Certification applies to a single property and is renewed annually to confirm continued alignment with program standards.
Supporting materials may include:
documentation of community contributions or nonprofit support
examples of guest guidelines, welcome materials, or arrival information
listing transparency and amenity accuracy
evidence of local vendor engagement, recommendations, or sourcing
examples of environmental stewardship practices
confirmation of compliance with applicable local requirements where relevant
Vacation Homes for Good™ certification recognizes demonstrated practices rather than self-declared participation.
Certification is administered by the Community-Centered Vacation Home Association (CCVHA), an independent standards body established to recognize vacation homes contributing positively to the communities where they operate.
Certification status may be updated, suspended, or withdrawn if a property no longer demonstrates meaningful alignment with program standards.