Pets in Limited Spaces: Thoughts?

[Lucinda123]

Hello, new host here!

Our home has new carpet and nice rugs throughout and we would like to be pet friendly, but allow pets only in the concrete-floored study room at the rear, which has a door to outside, to an enclosed side path and the enclosed front garden. The study has a see through screen door into the kitchen (and a solid door) so your pet could be nearby and visible. The study would be very easy to clean. Yet I have read many posts that say "pet friendly" means pets must be allowed everywhere. When I owned dogs myself, they slept in this study room in a cosy bed and were very happy. It is much nicer than being in a cage at the vet's!

Why does it need to be all (ie. pets everywhere) or nothing?

With thanks

Lucinda

[Joelle43 · Accepted solution]

Hello @Lucinda123 

Because you simply can't trust that yours guests will treat your home with respect unfortunately so you will get guests that will allow their dogs with dirty paws to come inside and ruin your beautiful rugs, carpets and climb on beds.  That's the harsh reality I'm afraid of short term renting.

Many owners with pets let them roam everywhere in their own house so they expect to be able to do the same in yours I'm afraid Lucinda.

So you have to decide whether you want to keep your nice rugs clean or not basically.  Even if you don't decide to go pet friendly, you'll have potentially the same headache with some guests who will just trample inside with their dirty shoes so always a good idea to ask your guests to remove their shoes before walking on your new carpet.  Leave a sign up as they walk in and include it in your house rules.

[Lucinda123]

Bonjour Joelle! Thank you for replying. That is a shame, but realistic I'm sure. I have a lot to learn about human nature and short term renting. My dad brought us up to always leave rental properties in better condition than we found them (we rented a holiday house every summer). If only this was the case for everyone!

Merci beaucoup

Lucinde

[Joelle43]

I totally agree with you @Lucinda123 😊 but it would seem that we are a dying bread or it's maybe a case of reading too many horror stories here and elsewhere!

[Shelley159]

@Lucinda123 I couldn't agree more with @Joelle43,

It looks like your listing is fairly new. You'll probably get some wonderfully considerate guests (most are), but there may soon also be bookings that make you regret the combination of pets and good carpets. Keep in mind that, while Airbnb allows you to refuse pets, you're not allowed to refuse service animals. If they're genuine service animals they should be well behaved, but they still have hair.

You're also not allowed to refuse children, who are sometimes even more of a threat to nice carpets and rugs. @Joelle43 has a very good way of managing children, if you need advice about that.

I take the coward's way out and just don't put anything in the listing that can't be mopped or thrown in the washing machine while I bring out the replacement set. If you're planning on hosting frequently, it's not just about whether something can be cleaned at all, but more about whether it can be clean and dry before the next guest arrives.

[Elisa]

Hi @Lucinda123 😊,

thank you for asking this question here!

I understand your doubts about this, and I’m glad you found hosts who are helping you make the right decision.

What did you decide to do?

Don’t hesitate to let me know if you need more help with this.

Warm regards 🌻,

[Lucinda123]

I went with no pets. Seems safer especially for a new host. Thank you for the opportunity to learn from experienced hosts.

Lucinda