"Service" Dogs

[Charles307]

I have a guest who booked with us saying that they have a service dog.  Fine you can bring your service dog, but I need documentation showing it’s a service dog since we already have 2 pets in the home which is the max allowed by the HOA.  The guest sent me a doctor’s note saying that they can travel with an emotional support dog.  Since their dog is not a trained service dog I don’t really want them in my house since A. I don’t know it’s trained and B. my HOA can fine me and will fine me for there being a 3rd pet in the house.  Has anyone else had an issue with this and does anyone have any suggestion on how to handle this?   

[Kimberly54]

Hi @Charles307,  I don't have any experience with this, so I'm shooting off the hip here.

In my mind, pets are like kids.   I love them dearly, but not invited here.  I'm not set-up that way, and too much could go WRONG.

Service dogs are amazingly trained (though you do need to have a place for them to relieve themselves, and someone has to deal with that--both from a timing-side, and clean-up).  I might go for a service dog, but anything else?  Out.

I'd think this might/should be your call, and hope that someone with more experience might weigh in.

  Best,

[Charles307]

I feel the same way.  And i realize I made a mistake, she offered to show me her documentation I didn't ask to see it.  I only said if should would be wiling to share it that could be helpful after she offered to share it with me.  It's tricky because I work with people who are special needs and require service animals but an emotional support animal is not a service animal.  I don't want to cancle her and lose superhost status and I also do want to get sued.  But at the same time our listing states no pets so I have no idea.   

[Letti0]

@Charles307   You can not be sued for an ESA unless it's a long term rental FHA has some rules on it, not the ADA. Also for future reference ask if it's an ESA or ADA service dog. You can only ask two questions of an ADA service animal. Do you have a disabablity? What tasks is your animal trained for? No documentation for ADA. You can as for proof for ESA.

I would inform the guest that the ESA animal per AirBnB terms cannot be left in your home alone at anytime. It must go where ever she does. If she cannot do this she must cancel immediately to get a refund. 

When can a host ask a guest to remove a service animal?

A host may ask a guest to remove a service animal if:

1. The animal is out of control and the animal’s handler does not take effective action to control it
2. The animal is not housebroken

In either scenario, the host must still give the guest the opportunity to use the premises without the animal if the guest so chooses. Note that given their role in providing service or emotional support, assistance animals should not be left alone at a listing.

[Mark116]

Why not just tell her your HOA doesn't allow for more than 2 pets, a service animal doesn't count as a pet, by federal law, but an emotional support animal isn't treated the same legally, and while airbnb may see them as the same, your HOA doesn't, so you can't host her.  Tell her you believe it's in her best interest to cancel the reservation and give her a refund.

[Alexandra316]

@Mark116 totally agree with this, and make sure you add this to your listing @Charles307 to try and prevent it from happening again.

I would bet any money that this is an ESA and the owner has probably purchased a certificate on the internet. I've never heard of a legit service animal owner offering to provide paperwork.