Adding a pet deposit

[Jaine0]

I have a guest who wants to bring a "well behaved" dog.  I like dogs, so I'm amenable, but I'd like to add an extra amount to the security deposit to cover that eventuality--just for this guest.  How do I do that?

[Amanda1453]

hey everyone! I am a new host and looking for advice from seasoned hosts on a pet situation. The home I am hosting is newly remodeled lower level unit of a home, one bedroom smaller place. A woman inquired for a 69-night stay, and she's bringing a dog. She claims she is well behaved and does not shed, the guest has a 5 star rating from other hosts. I'd like to accept her but I am not sure if based on how long the stay is, if charging an extra $5/night (about $690 extra) is greedy? Or, if i should just do a security deposit. Any help and advice is appreciated! I am located in Seattle and it's peak season for us, but traffic has been slow due to pandemic and the listing is new. 

[Mike-And-Jane0]

@Amanda1453 I'm not really sure a security deposit works as typically (and it may be different for longer term rentals) Airbnb doesn't actually collect said deposit.

An extra $5 per night would actually generate $345 - How would that compare to a full clean of all the rugs in your listing? If comparable then its probably fair.

[Danny442]

Hi folks! I'm looking to add the security deposit to our listing, but was told that due to Airbnb not covering pet damage in their liability coverage, they wouldn't accept a claim against that deposit for pet damage either. Is this true, or any way around that?  (we currently charge a small additional pet fee, but trying to figure out a way to have a larger amount of security in the event of large damage)

[Phyllis140]

I would simply like to be able to add a non-refundable pet deposit in the amount of $100 per pet.  On VRBO it is in the booking process if you have pets to figure in your total non-refundable pet deposit.  The guest doesn't receive a refund of this deposit regardless of whether or not their pet does any damage, though I assure you, if you allow dogs, there WILL ALWAYS BE DOG HAIR everywhere!  And regardless of whether you stipulate DO NOT allow dogs in the beds, they will anyway if that is what they do at their home.  I charge them $100 because I know there will be dog hair embedded into my blankets and all over my sheets, as well as the dirt and even blood from their paws and sores and from scratching, etc. on the bed linens, which requires additional work on my part to clean all that up, thoroughly.  Why there isn't an easy way for the guest to choose the option that they are bringing pets and enter 1 or 2, and automatically have that calculated in, is beyond me.  It is not an issue at VRBO.  So I'd be happy to see AirBnB get with the program.  

[Alexandra316]

@Phyllis140 wouldn't we all! Unfortunately Airbnb has ignored every request for any kind of support with hosting pets. They won't even respond to it, let alone implement a change. 

@Catherine-Powell are you listening? This is about the 100th time this week this has been mentioned by a host on this forum. When will you support us hosts who host pets? 

[Tiffany442]

I didn’t know that Airbnb won’t honor a pet deposit (via request money) in the resolution process, even if a dog destroys something. Way to go, Airbnb, now I’ll stop hosting people with their pets. 

[Quincy]

Hi there @Tiffany442, & everyone else on this thread, I just want to share this topic that has been recently shared by Airbnb regarding pet fees https://www.airbnb.co.uk/resources/hosting-homes/a/what-you-need-to-know-about-hosting-pets-463. 

I hope this helps.