My first guest is coming & we allow dogs please help!

[AnnMarie68]

Hello!

I already called airbnb and they sent me two diff links about request money from guests.

Here are my questions:

One human is coming bringing 2 dogs ( in my rules I charge 25 per dog) but I cannot add the fee prior.

Because I have it set at 25.00.

So I have to "request" the money prior to booking? Is that correct?

I also did not calculate the added DOG cleaning fee when I set the cleaning fee for the non-dog people.

Do I just put this in the rules & added cleaning fee for dogs of 50 for less then 3 days for 100.00? 

Also is this too low or too high of a fee?

I have a 1 bedroom - 1 shower and small place but its cute & cozy and big side yard for dogs not fenced. Do I need to say keep your dogs on a leash?

What do I say ?

[Lorna170 · Accepted solution]

@AnnMarie68  When a guest is bringing a dog, they should add the dog at the time of their booking, when your Pet Fee will also be added to the total.  

The programming will not accommodate an additional fee for an additional dog.  I have listed as allowing up to two dogs for X dollars.  There is no discount for a single dog.   Guests are notorious for not reading the rules or abiding by an "outside" contract.  Guests are also notorious for disregarding after-booking fee requests.

If the guest forgets to add their pet at booking, I will send a Pet Fee request via the Resolution Center prior to the guest arrival, or as soon as I know that there is a pet.  The guest should acknowledge and pay the fee ASAP.  If they arrive, stay and depart, I am likely to not get paid.  

My pet fee has fluctuated between $75 and $100 per stay.  Most caring pet owners will advise that they are bringing a pet and will pay the fee.  

I have learned over the years that having "options" for extra guests and more than one pet has left me without payment for both extra guests and additional pets.  So I err on the side of caution, charging a decent rate for the max guests my cabin will hold (4) and assuming that pet owners will bring two pets.  

[AnnMarie68]

Thank you so much for your help!

What does an "outside contract mean" ...

I am in PA. Do I need a lease additional to this if longer then how many days does anyone know?

Ty

[Lorna170]

@AnnMarie68  Guests who book through AirBnB are supposed to follow the rules of the AirBnB "contract" as well as the rules that the host has divulged on their listing.

Hosts like myself also follow the rules of our state, county or municipality with respect to rental contracts.  By law, I have to provide a rental agreement to my guests, notwithstanding the fact that they have rented via a third party, i.e., AirBnB.  My contract is sent via email to the guest once they have booked so that I meet the letter and protections of the law in my state.  The guest can then agree to honor my contract or they are welcome to cancel the booking.  

Most hosts do not worry about having a contract for guests of less than 28-30 days, which is when long term TENANT laws come into play.  You need to know what your local laws are with respect to long term guests aka tenants.   A google search or visit to your local zoning department should help.