Service Animal help

[Kaela82]

I just had a guest send an inquiry and stated she has a service animal. She asked if it was OK to bring the dog. I haven't replied quite yet because I don't want to get in trouble with airbnb for denying her request. The owner of the home is allergic to dogs. I am the property manager and I want to make sure the owners health isn't at risk. When I called, Airbnb told me there was an option to say "no service pets" however on the site it says I can "qualify for an exemption", I also didn't see that option he told me about. Does anyone know how I can go about doing this or is it even a thing with Airbnb? I was reading past horror stories of this same situation and I am hoping it has been updated with Airbnb's policies. 

[Paul11158]

You should seek the advice of your attorney. 

This is ADA (Federal). Some states have their own laws as well. 

A person who misrepresents an animal as a Service Dog is facing substantial Federal penalties. 

Please consider the guest and their quality of life. 

[Kaela82]

Thank you all for your insights!

I contacted Airbnb and we figured it out. I did ask the guest the 2 allowed questions. 1. IS the service animal required due to a disability? and 2. What is the service animal trained to do? In Colorado, we are not allowed to ask for a certificate of any kind. 

The guest gladly answered and they are currently staying in the airbnb as I type this! The home owner will not be home for a few months so she was totally fine with it as well! 

I would never want to offend anyone who requires a service animal of any kind! I just wanted to make sure I dotted all my I's and crossed all my T's especially since I do have a home owner with allergies. I don't want to put anyone's health at risk or keep anyone from being able to rent the home due to this!