Flea infestation

[Jesenia4]

Has anyone had an issues where guests brought fleas into the home and guests are denying the fleas were brought in by their own dogs.  Now you’re trying to get rid of them and coming out of pocket for pest control and deep cleaning? 

[Dawn241]

Deep cleaning is covered by aircover. I would think Fleas should be too. Have you filed a claim? 

[Marie8781]

hi! How did this flea situation get resolved in the end?

[Rebecca]

Hi @Marie8781 👋

It's lovely to see you joining in conversations on the Community Center! I just wanted to pop by and share that if you type "@" and then the username, this will tag the member that you're replying to. This ensures that they get a notification that you've replied to them specifically 🤗

For example to tag @Jesenia4, it's '@' then select their name in the box that appears. 

I hope this helps to keep the conversation flowing, and if you've got any questions, just ask. Have a wonderful day! 🌼

[David12971]

I am fighting with Airbnb on this one right now.  We had a guest that stayed in our home for 3 months. They were filthy and their dog caused a flea infestation.  It was so bad, our cleaner left crying. I had our exterminator assess the situation and document everything.  I had to shut down our home for a month, treat 3 times and clean 3 times.  Airbnb confirmed if the dog pooped all over my home, the necessary special treatments and extra cleaning would be covered. But they cannot explain the difference between the dog pooping all over my home and the dog bringing in fleas which required special treatments and extra cleaning.  In my many years working with Airbnb, I have only needed their help a few times and no issue has been as bad as this flea infestation.  I'm so incredibly disappointed in Airbnb's support. I have not let this issue go and I'm continuing to press Airbnb to do what is right. 

[Joan2709]

@David12971 

Wow...this is a tough one. It seems logical to me that this guest's dog was the cause of the infestation. Is Airbnb saying you have to prove it was this guests dog that brought in the fleas? How does one prove that? This is yet another reason why Hosts do not want to accept pets. How is this different than having to have pest control come in and remove bed bugs? Who is to say which guest caused the infestation?

If Airbnb is going to start contesting issues like this under Aircover, it is even more important for Hosts to purchase their own STR insurance to cover situations like this instead of relying on Aircover.

[David12971]

I cannot get a reason from Airbnb, outside of them repeatedly saying "it's not covered". Fleas must have a host to be introduced to a home. So either the human guest or the pet brought in the fleas.  I sent in multiple articles supporting this fact and they have only provided a canned response that it is not covered.  

[Joan2709]

@David12971 

Sigh...well you can keep trying to escalate the case, but not sure that will result in a different outcome. Unfortunately, if you didn't have your own STR insurance you will have to absorb the cost and perhaps write it off as a tax deduction, but an accountant will have to advise if that is allowed.

You may need to make the decision not to allow pets at the listing, or consider STR insurance to cover these situations. STR insurance can be pricey and only a few companies offer it. Those they do offer it, have exclusions and limitations so read the fine print carefully. Proper Insurance Company is one of the more well known STR insurance companies with pest coverage, but it's probably the most expensive. You can speak to an independent insurance agent who can advise you on what companies offer coverage:

"Short-term rental insurance protects your property and liability when a paying guest stays at your rental. It can cover a range of risks, including: Property damage, Theft, Liability for injuries or accidents, Loss of rental income, and Bed bug and flea infestations. 

If your policy does cover flea infestations, it may include: 

• Liability protection: Protects you from financial losses if a guest is bitten by fleas or if fleas come home with your guests
• Extermination: Pays for professional flea extermination
• Lost revenue: Pays for up to one week of lost revenue if your property is out of operation due to the infestation

It's important to review your policy details to make sure you have adequate coverage for your specific rental situation."