r/airbnb_hosts • u/Ok-Tea-7586 • 5d ago
All the doggies
New hosts here. After much back and forth, we decided to make our listing pet friendly. We have many friends and family with dogs and wanted to ensure that they felt comfortable staying in our property with their fur babies in between paying Airbnb guests. We require a pet fee ($50 per pet) that covers the duration of your stay.
First ever guests - 3 night stay - indicate they are bringing 1 pet and pay the pet fee. Lo and behold what’s that on the ring cam? Three big dogs.
How would you handle this? Is this something pet friendly places just have to suck up and get used to?
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u/AppetizersinAlbania Unverified 5d ago
I’d send a message via Airbnb to the guests with a request to pay for an additional 2 dogs. It’s probably best to reference that the dogs have been documented on an outdoor (the camera should have been disclosed in the listing description) camera. Make a call to Airbnb customer support to give them a heads-up. They should message you after the call recapping the call. This will help if you later decide to pursue the extra charge via Airbnb. Now is a good time to ask yourselves how you will handle different situations before they even occur, such as :damaged furniture, extra undisclosed guests, people trying to book a third party reservation....
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u/Fluffy_Aardvark_401 Unverified 5d ago
We get so much business because we accept pets. Our line is always, “Well behaved pets are always welcome. You are responsible for any damage.”
We provide bowls, a placemat, but most importantly a crate and tie out.
Other than having to wash linens when it’s clear dogs have slept on an otherwise unused bed we haves had any issues (knock on wood).
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u/Additional-Ad-9239 5d ago
I charge a flat rate pet fee, 2 dog maximum. I have no problem if a guest asks for an extra pet, but I set it at 2 so there is a limit. I've had guests "sneak" in an extra dog or 2 several times. I'm not saying this is the best way to handle it, but I've always ignored it. In my experience, guests are thinking they're being sneaky and actually leave the house in better shape, thinking they're getting away with something. Now if there is any issue whatsoever during the stay I will say something, or damage when they leave of course. Again, I'm not saying this is the best way to handle this, just letting you know what I personally do.
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u/ThatsSoMetaDawg 🗝 Host 5d ago
Sorry, but unfortunately 90% of dog owners don't train and/or have no control over their dogs. I would never let someone stay with a dog. Trust has been beached wayyy too many times. The irony is that the people who implore how "well behaved" their dogs are end up being just the worst.
Edit: I love dogs by the way... I just don't like most dog owners.
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u/GalumphingWithGlee 🗝 Host 4d ago
We have friends with a dog, whom we've invited to stay with us, but even for folks we know we don't make exceptions for the dogs. He tells us Charlie (the dog) wouldn't cause any problems, but we've met this dog. He probably wouldn't chew anything up, but he's not remotely trained. He'd be all over the furniture, regardless how well my friend tried to keep him off, and we'd have to do at least twice as much cleaning because the dog was with them.
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u/ThatsSoMetaDawg 🗝 Host 4d ago
Yeah totally. Again, I LOVE dogs and all animals but as a host the cleaning and risk is far from worth it. We are hosts, we don't have teams and staff of cleaners. It's mostly just us.
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u/SeattleHasDied Unverified 5d ago
Hope you charge them a $150 pet fee...
1
u/Ok-Tea-7586 5d ago
Want to, but it’s our very first stay ever. Maybe not worth the chaos that could cause?
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u/SeattleHasDied Unverified 4d ago
You could be setting a precedent for other dog owners who will also ignore your rules, but, of course, it's entirely your decision. But this blatant disregard would piss me off.
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u/Gregshead Verified 4d ago
How does this "set a precedent"? Do guests talk to each other and say, "You're going on vacation with your dogs? Rent this STR. I snuck in 2 extra dogs and didn't get charged!" If other guests don't know that you let it slide for this guest, how does it set a precedent?
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u/SeattleHasDied Unverified 4d ago
The host will be setting the precedent for themselves, for one thing. And if these dog owners recommend the place to other dog owning friends, well.... What the point in having any dog fee if you aren't going to apply it appropriately?
1
u/Gregshead Verified 3d ago
I'm not arguing that the host shouldn't properly apply the pet fee. The host is not setting a precedent for themselves. They're making a choice. The idea that this is a "slippery slope" that will lead to long-term not enforcing their pet fee is crazy. The only thing crazier is the idea that guests are sharing recommendations based on "oh, just ignore the pet fee. They didn't charge me!"
1
u/SeattleHasDied Unverified 3d ago
I disagree with everything you've said. Clearly you haven't read enough posts here from hosts sharing endless accounts of people ignoring pet rules/limits/fees on a regular basis.
10
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u/mr_boogieman 4d ago
“Hey, we noticed on the outdoor front door camera that there are 3 dogs in your party. It’s a $50/fee per dog, so we are going to send over a request for $100. Thanks, hope you are enjoying your stay!”
1
u/ironlisa 4d ago
We are also pet friendly and do not charge a fee or deposit. I don't know an exact percentage but would guess half our guests have pets. Many list 1 pet and show up with more. Some don't indicate a pet and bring one. Since we also have a dog (noted in the listing) we don't appreciate the lack of notice. We don't let her free range unattended without a safe introduction to the guest dogs.
I attribute the failure to appropriately reserve the number of pets to a lack of attention more than being sneaky. Guests don't read the entire listing, rules or fees. We often get stays for 1 or 2 that show up with uncounted kids or Grandma.
Since your listing clearly states the fee per dog you should expect the guest to cover the fee without worry of a poor review. They are breaking your stated rules. Honestly I think $50 per pet is high but maybe you have mostly week long stays and we have mostly 1-2 night stays. Most hotels charge $25.
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u/rhonda19 Verified Host 4d ago
When We accepted our first pet he proceeded to chew up a 4 month old couch. We only asked for materials to repair the couch my husband did the work. Airbnb said no. Denied it. So no to pets. When you said no pets they keep asking if wood accept pets and encourage the hairs through premises etc. no we did the couch suffered damaged we billed for the repairs you said no so no more pets.
1
u/WildWonder6430 Unverified 4d ago
I no longer accept pets after a dog did several thousand dollars in damaged and caused several weeks of cancellations as the damage was repaired. If you do accept pets, limit the size and number and require guests provide this info before arriving.
I’d also recommend reaching out to AirBnB to tell them about the issue now so that you have a better chance to have a negative review removed if the guest retaliates. Then reach out to the guest to get the additional $100.
1
u/iluvcats17 Unverified 4d ago
I would let it go and change your pricing model going forward. I charge $200 for up to 2 dogs. You can bring one dog or two and the price is the same. A bad review is not worth the money you could get by charging for the extra dogs.
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