I would like to be able to charge a supplement for one night...
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I would like to be able to charge a supplement for one night stays to make them worthwhile for hosts - I have mentioned this ...
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Was just thinking about my pet fee and was wondering what everyone else charges?
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We charge $20 per night per dog, and collect a fully refundable $250 security deposit per dog. Our maximum is 2 dogs. Guests are asked to complete and sign a copy of our Dog Agreement (contract). We have several restrictions - no puppies under 1 year, dogs must be spayed or neutered (less likely to mark, to be aggressive, to roam, often are more calm, etc.), dogs must be well behaved on leash, and owners must agree to keep dogs on leash whenever they are outdoors. We have lots of wild critters here - bear, deer, turkeys, fox, eagles, coyotes, etc., and the leash rule is intended to protect wildlife as well as the dogs and our neighbors. It is amazing how few problems we've had. Vacuums are available to guests at both of our homes and we tell guests if they clean up after the dog/s and there are no damages, we'll refund 100% of the deposit. I don't know how many visiting dogs we've had over the years, but it's a lot. The owners are thrilled to be able to bring them along on vacation, and we have found that dog-owning guests are often better than those without pets. In 5 years we have only withheld money once from the deposit. We have dogs ourselves and allowing them at the rentals is really a win-win.
Sorry this is so long, but I want to add a comment about the new restrictive policy Airbnb has implemented. If you check the 'pets accepted' box, their default is 5 animals (!!! right??) and you're required to enter a per-stay fee. The host has no flexibility to charge per night, instead of per stay.
My workaround is to message guests immediately after booking with a copy of our Dog Agreement. The Agreement contains information about our fees and deposits. I bill through the Resolution Center and, after the stay, I promptly refund the deposits. Not ideal, but there doesn't seem to be any other way to do it.
I feel that Airbnb is intentionally keeping the pet policy restrictive. They can easily give hosts the option of hosting pets by the count and per night or fixed fees. Plus add options for refundable deposit. If they need help with design/coding, I can assist because the issue is ridiculous. But I am sure programming is not the problem. This flexibility for pets is way overdue.
Well said, and I think you're right. Sometimes they forget that the host is the true customer. Nothing to rent = no income.
The problem with the billing and then refunding through the resolution center is both they and you get charged Airbnb fees, twice, which seems ridiculous and unreasonable for dealing with the pet security deposit. I know they say they provide Aircover insurance but putting down a simple security deposit usually makes people think twice about brining an unruly dog - because it’s their money, not some huge corporation, that’s going to pay for damages. But it would allow for a smaller security deposit request - in your case $250 seems reasonable and would cover any additional cleaning or small issues like a peed on rug.
I agree with you 150%.
Very good this article! 👍👍
Hi gerri,
Your reply was very helpful, do you think you can send me the pet agreement/ contact, i am needing it asap. I'm a new host and i have s family wanting to bring 5 pets. 2 cats and 3 dogs.
Please scroll through this thread and you'll find it. 🙂
Hello, i have a different question regarding animals. How often do you have booking with a pet? Is it like every second booking or 1 in 10? Did you have cats? Thank you
No to cats. I love them, but they go where they want and will shed all over everything. Also, many will jump up on counters, etc. and it's too easy for items to be knocked off and broken. Not to mention scratching. I don't know of any VR owner that allows cats.
We have bookings with dogs often in summer - at least 50% of guests. In winter it's much less.
would you mind sharing your pet contract with me? **
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Hi Gerri,
I'm doing a little research on renting our mountain home and because we have a dog and would want to take our dog with us on vacation, are also wanting to make our rental dog friendly. I LOVE all your advice and will definitely follow it. Would you be willing to share your contract with me? **
Thanks in advance and no worries if you'd rather not.
Gigi
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UPDATE - 2024:
We've been accepting dogs since we began renting vacation homes - about 7 years - and have never had to keep a penny of any guest's dog deposit. People are so happy to be able to bring their dog/s (we accept up to 2) that I think they are extra careful.
About a year ago, I decided to stop asking for a dog deposit to see how it would go. No problems at all, and it eliminated the need to ask for the payment and then to refund it after the stay. And of course, Airbnb took their bite out of every deposit we received.
We do still require that the Dog Agreement form be completed and signed (no typed names). I have wondered whether the fact that it's a contract that must be filled out, signed and returned before check-in has contributed to the care that guests take of their pets. The content of the agreement is the same - I just removed the deposit requirement.
I'm still waiting for Airbnb to change the way they force hosts to handle pet deposits. Their system is awkward and makes us look unprofessional when we have to ask for fees 'after the fact.' Vrbo's system is so much better. Hope this update is helpful.
oops - I forgot that we did have to keep $50 from one deposit. That was it, after many many guests brought their pups along.
Great post and very helpful insight. Any chance you can share your Dog Agreement? Thank you in advance. (my email is: **)
**[E-mail address removed due to safety reasons - Community Center Guidelines]
Hello, I am new to Airbnb and just listing my property for the first time the only option Airbnb gives me is to set one flat fee, how do you set a per night per pet fee? With a maximum number of pets because I called Airbnb and even on the phone their customer service told me The website format only allows for one single flat feet to be listed