so a guest shows up with a 'service animal', what are AirBnB's policies on that?

[Robert7638]

Many here are replying in regards to an Emotional Support Animal. 

To be succinct...

An emotional support animal is NOT the same as a service animal. 

They are two different categories of animals, with two different purposes, and as such, with the exception of New York and California, fall under two different sets of rules. 

A guest with a service animal does NOT have to disclose to the just that the service animal is accompanying them, and a host may not deny a guest because of their service animal, or provide differential treatment in any way. A host also MAY NOT charge extra fees, animal fees, or any additional fees because of a service animal. 

The host MAY ask if the service animal is necessary because of a disability and which services that they are trained to perform. 

The host MAY NOT ask to see them perform the service or really anything further than what I've mentioned above. 

Again, an ESA is different than a SERVICE animal, is NOT considered a pet, and does NOT have to be disclosed AT ALL (but it is encouraged for the sake of transparency).

[Frank1695]

Thank you for shedding some light on this. I host in California and just leaned as I had to study up on the policy after a guest snuck an unregistered pet in, that was identified as ‘animal’ by my door camera. 

What’s challenging to reconcile is, no matter what classification, there is added cleaning involved and guests who may be negatively impacted if that cleaning isn’t done properly. It’s only after  animal accompanied stays that my cleaners charge additional fees.

[Nicholas828]

Unregistered ? There is no registration for a service animal. 

[Nancy2065]

The Host may ask two questions, including WHAT the Service Animal is trained to do.

If the Animal is left in the room all day, then it is not a service animal and the guest lied. That would be grounds for removal, correct?

In a certain case, The Host wanted to keep the money (monthly), so she let them get away with leaving the dog in the room. The Host complained, but let them stay anyway. So this empowered the dishonest guest to continue doing what they do. This also sets a bad example and the guest with the unruly German shepherd are still out there today telling everyone else how to get away with it. 

[M--LaVora1]

Live-in hosts are exempt from the FHA service animal law.

Assistance Animals Under the Fair Housing Act, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, and the Air Carriers Access Act

The three exceptions to coverage are 1) rental dwellings of four units or less, if one unit is occupied by the owner; 2) single family homes sold or rented by the owner without a broker; and 3) housing owned by private clubs or religious organizations that restrict housing units to their members