Allowing pets in your holiday let: costs and house rules
More households have pets, and more people want to enjoy their holidays with their animals. But finding somewhere to stay with a pet is not always straightforward. Have you considered allowing animals in your holiday property? Before deciding, bear in mind that there are advantages, but also some drawbacks.
Below, we review benefits, costs and preparation. The decision should suit the property, applicable rules and channel terms; pets and assistance animals should not automatically be treated in the same way.
Advantages of a pet-friendly holiday property
Accepting pets can broaden the audience interested in your accommodation. To assess the decision, compare the service’s requirements with your layout, maintenance and the demand you receive.
1. Your potential market grows
Simply adding that you accept pets can increase the number of people interested in your holiday property. There is currently an imbalance between supply and demand in this area, with many people wanting to travel with pets and relatively few properties accepting them.
If you decide to let guests bring their dogs, you can stand out from other holiday properties in your area, while adding another way to compete on Airbnb.
2. An offer that meets more travel needs
Explain the service and its conditions clearly. Willingness to pay varies: do not assume everyone travelling with an animal will accept an extra charge.
If you are considering a supplement permitted by the channel, first calculate its purpose and the costs it covers. There is no universal minimum of €20 per day, and accepting pets does not guarantee greater profit.
3. An experience consistent with the listing
Animal lovers are likely to feel more warmly towards a property that offers the chance to enjoy their holiday with their pet.
A suitable thoughtful touch may improve the welcome, but does not guarantee a favourable review. Ask before providing animal food, and prioritise useful information and a properly prepared stay.
4. More online visibility
More families want to avoid leaving their animals at home during holidays. As a result, there are specialist websites listing only properties that accept pets. This gives you a way to expand your online presence.
But what are the disadvantages of allowing pets in your holiday property?
Disadvantages of a pet-friendly holiday property
There are not only benefits: allowing pets in your accommodation also has some drawbacks. If animals are not well trained, they may make noise and disturb neighbours.
You will also need to clean particularly thoroughly after each stay to help prevent discomfort for later guests with pet hair allergies. And remember possible damage, from shredded cushions to suspicious yellow stains on rugs.
Clear rules, preparation and a cleaning procedure reduce problems, but do not eliminate damage or additional needs. Any supplement must be transparent and comply with channel rules; do not assume it covers every incident.
Likewise, furniture or the garden, if the property has one, may suffer some damage from visiting pets: cats scratching sofas, dogs chewing table legs or broken plant pots, for example. This does not always happen, but you need to accept that it can.
Assess the layout, sound insulation, access and house rules. A garden does not guarantee freedom from noise, nor does an apartment necessarily cause disturbance. Explain the conditions of the stay and prepare an incident procedure.
Another drawback is that you could lose other guests. Some people do not want to stay where pets have been, for cleanliness concerns, or cannot because of allergies. Bear in mind that even after thorough cleaning, people allergic to cat hair, for example, may experience symptoms weeks after an animal’s stay.
If, after weighing up these factors, you decide to join the owners who welcome animals, here are some suggestions:
- You can charge a pet supplement for the additional cleaning discussed above.
- Provide a pet kit. Thoughtful items for canine or feline guests can include food and water bowls, a chew toy or waste bags.
- Provide information on pet-friendly places. Share a list of nearby beaches, shopping centres or restaurants accepting animals. Guests will appreciate it!
We hope this article helps you decide whether to welcome pets. At Alehost, we encourage you to contact us with any questions and will be happy to help.
Before enabling pet stays
Check the platform’s rules and distinguish assistance animals, which are subject to specific conditions. Airbnb provides an official policy. Describe limits and conditions clearly rather than improvising them after a booking arrives.
Calculate additional cleaning, maintenance and the supplies you offer, and define how documented damage is handled. A practical information sheet can cover animal numbers, permitted areas, waste disposal and incident contacts. Ensure the listing, messages and house rules agree.
