I could not find anywhere that it even had a reference to ESA's in Airbnb that properly reflected and protected home owners according to ADA.
Airbnb kept sending me a reference to Service Animals, and tagged on the ending ESA. Airbnb gives ESA animals the same rights as a Service animal - which is legally incorrect in US. In the USA according to the ADA (Law) a homeowner has the right to request paperwork confirming an ESA, not a Service animal, which I respect. According to Airbnb hosts are not allowed to confirm an ESA in order to protect their property from a pet traveler. A pet is a pet until identified otherwise. There is a clear distinction between a Service Animal and an ESA by Law, but again, not with Airbnb. People can find pet friendly properties, however, they typically cost them a little more because they have to deal with pet-issues. My guest booked 1st then indicated after he had a pet (no confirmation was an ESA), then all 'hell' broke loose, through misunderstandings and my referral to legal policy versus Airbnb. Without any conversation, I was accused of discrimination, which was heartbreaking, even though I had done nothing wrong in the eyes of the Law, and the dog was technically a 'pet'. I have no idea why Airbnb will not resolve for the benefit of the 1 thing they require for their program to exist? - a HOST WILLING TO MAKE THEIR PROPERTY AVAILABLE TO GUESTS IS THE SOLE FOUNDATION FOR THE EXISTENCE OF AIRBNB. According to ADA I have a right to ask for supporting documents for ESA, but not according to Airbnb, only according to Federal Law. I was in same boat, I told Airbnb that a pet is a pet until shown otherwise for an ESA. They told me I could not even ask about ESA verification? Legally I am allowed to, except when I have my property listed with Airbnb? I have guests booking knowing I am a pet-free property - due to allergies etc. I would suggest Airbnb help HOSTS and should require :
1. Airbnb should help Guests to resource available animal/pet-friendly properties 1st. Advise those identifying with a non pet animal can utilize Airbnb support/help for assistance booking pet-friendly properties. Guests do know the difference. It is to everyone's benefit to utilize a property willing and able to host animals versus those who prefer not to, due to allergies etc. 2. Generally all potential Guests registered with Airbnb should be aware when registering that Hosts can charge extra fees for ESA's, with exclusion of 2 states (CA etc.). 3. Guests identifying with an ESA MUST inform the Host prior to booking (This way the Host can indicate extra charges will be applied in the states that allow it) PRIOR to a Guest booking. 4. As Hosts have a right to charge extra fees for an ESA - If a Guest does not make the Host aware PRIOR to booking with an ESA, they can have their reservation cancelled or, alternatively notified additional charges could be added to their stay. 5. Guests who have an ESA/Service Animals could be identified in Airbnb (button or ?) and cannot Instant Book a non-pet friendly property with an ESA. I feel that would be fair and not discriminatory as a Host has a right to charge extra and cannot with potential Guests not revealing their animal/ESA until they have booked, allowing Host can be aware of extra measures required. I would personally have to block the property from rental use after every known ESA animal stay at least 2-3 days and have extensive cleaning completed due to allergies. In my case the Guest booked my more affordable property that does not allow pets 1st, subsequently after booking claiming they have an ESA, not having to be honest about the pet being a pet or ESA. I ended up being in trouble, I had a Superhost rating, accused of discrimination, had my reputation impacted. I would never discriminate against a Guest? The Guest only signed up to Airbnb this 1 time to book my place for a short time until his longtime apartment was available. He had never been on Airbnb before. He had all the help in the world from Airbnb, which I am glad for as he needed to find a pet friendly home, and there were some available, they cost about $20-$50 plus more/night, and he was clear he chose my property as it was nice and very good rate. Clearly there is a very bad history with Hosts being victimized by Airbnb Policy. What about protection for Hosts? Airbnb can easily include legal policy to protect Hosts from travelers who want their pets to be with them as well as prepare Hosts in the event they would be required to accommodate an animal in a non pet friendly property, only when there are no other resources(pet friendly properties) available via Airbnb.