Yes or no to this request?

[Laura2592]

We have an upcoming booking for 3 nights, 4 people. All fine. Great reviews for the guest (6 five star all very complimentary.)

Guest messages last night saying they are excited about the stay, four adults, want to bring two "non shedding" dogs. We are pet friendly. The max number of beings, human or otherwise, in our space is 5 which means four humans and one pet. We have a local  cleaning lady who we worked this out with prior to setting our fees. Our low cleaning fee is based on that. At the time the guest booked it was $30 but we recently raised it to due COVID. We actually pay more than this to our cleaner (and clean and disinfect behind her) but just roll it into the nightly cost because guests get so angsty about paying a cleaning fee in the first place. 

I gently remind the guest of the house rules and explain why. She offers to pay extra for cleaning. Husband says "go ahead and just charge her extra." I feel like we should just stick to our policies. Guest had wanted to book extra days (nope. Don't have 'em.) 

Would you allow these "non shedding" dogs and charge more or just stick to your rules?

[Debra300]

@Laura2592,

Since you allow pets, do you also collect a pet deposit from guests?  If you are pretty confident, based upon what the guest has said, that the only additional work will be cleaning, then I agree with your husband.  Charge her double the cleaning fee, and ask that she sweep up and lint brush any visible dog hairs (supposedly dogs with hair vs. fur don't shed, but I'd think that some hair would shed when petted or played with).

[Laura2592]

@Debra300 we don't collect a pet deposit. We just price out our nights (and number of guests) to cover any basic clean up or minor damage. Our space is only 1450 square feet-- its a LOT of living things to pack into one small place. 

[Debra300]

@Laura2592,

Well, if you really feel uncomfortable with the additional dog being there, go back to the cleaning angle.  Tell the guest that your cleaner was contracted for five living beings, and you have not received an agreement from her for the extra body staying in the space.

[Linda108]

I think you might consider accepting.  Guests have good reviews.  Guests are honest with you and did not try to sneak in a pet.  Guest is willing to pay extra for cleaning, thus acknowledging the possibility.  Since you are pet friendly, I would imagine you have pet rules about getting on furniture, not being left alone, etc.  Stress with the guest that you are a bit out of your comfort zone, but due to several positive factors you are willing to stretch your comfort zone.  

[Laura2592]

@Linda108 its less about comfort zone and more about this person not reading the rules. I clearly state the creature count in our space in our house rules. I even break it down with X number of humans there can be X number of pets. She booked awhile ago so she has had time to look this over. But we all know guests don't read.

I am serious about our space only being open to so many occupants at once. Cleaning and disinfecting after multiple pets is harder than one pet. Cleaning and disinfecting after two couples who have used both bedrooms and both bathrooms and have two pets is harder still. 

[Colleen253]

@Laura2592  It seems like you just really want to say no, so say no. 

Just a thought, if your max on living beings is 5, you might make it simpler and even more explicit in your description and house rules and say just that: "Max occupancy is 5 living beings, whether humans or animals. There is no room for deviation on this. Thank you for your cooperation and understanding". 

When you get a booking request, reiterate this rule. This may help prevent you from having to deal with this again. A guest will be much less likely to come to you later wanting to add more living beings. IF they did, you just refer them back to your original booking conversation. Much easier to refuse, that way.

[Jessica-and-Henry0]

@Laura2592 

Agree with @Colleen253 - Henry and I are quite strict about our private room being single occupancy and this is something we always reiterate. We've had long-term guests come back to us to ask about having their friend, sister or mom stay for 2~3 nights or up to 1 week, either at the start or end of the stay offering to pay extra. It was easy to say NO as we reminded them we're single occupancy - therefore we are simply not set up to accommodate 2 guests at once, no matter how short the stay. 

If they ask at least 2 weeks in advance, we add that we are willing agree to an adjustment of the check in or check out date, and refund half our normal nightly rate per nights not stayed (since we need to consider the long-term discount and fees) if they prefer to book an alternate place to stay (with friend/sister/mom) for those nights. 

[Anonymous]

@Laura2592  As a dog owner, I don't understand someone waiting until the day before arrival to announce that they intend to bring two dogs. It's just bloody obvious that you have to be upfront about this in your request, even in a "pet-friendly" listing. 

This doesn't sound like a sudden change in plans or an oversight, but rather a deliberate omission calculated to back you into a corner. But if you're willing to make an exception, I see no ethical problem with requesting as steep of a rate as you please as a condition of entry. 

And if you'd rather not make the exception, that's OK too...but I hope you have a plan for how to deal with them trying to sneak the dogs in anyway.

[Kelly149]

@Laura2592 our very lovely dog boarding kennel charges $30/dog/night and they get it all day long.

I could go either way: either pick a $$ and tell her that it's outside the norm but of course you know she'll take care of the place so it's only $$$ or just say "so sorry, no, I've made commitments to my staff and someone will have to stay home"

[Laura2592]

Thanks everyone. 

I think the wiser course is just to accept and have her pay an extra fee. She is bringing those dogs whether I approve it or not.

We will see how the stay goes. I did amend my house rules to say 4 beings total. Not 5. Max pets 2. 2 humans and 2 pets is max capacity. My cleaners will quit if I don't give them a bit of a break. Its too much with the COVID protocol and now an upcoming clean with four adults and two standard poodles, even if they don't shed.

[Marg11]

We allowed an extra guest the other night for free after being asked if she could stay and how much extra we wanted, as it was the guest's daughter who had driven up with her father to celebrate his birthday. They're booked again next week and a week later in the term.

Breaking the house rules is for the hosts to do if they think it's a good idea not for guests who often have no idea about the reason behind the restrictions. If they are not allergic to dogs how could they understand? If they are not aware of local government laws relating to short term stays or recycling of course they don't understand.

If they haven't read the house rules then we need to ensure they understand the basics. 

However, kindness and careful explanations can be useful to avoid confrontation.