Transforming your Short Term Rental to Pet-Friendly Stays

As in every business – Weigh the PROS and CONS

You will indeed be ahead of the market as you become a part of a scarce commodity since not as many rentals are pet-friendly. There is decent income in pet fees! You can play around with the pricing as pet owners do not need to board them, costing them absolutely so much more than what you charge for the stay. You are looking for more bucks for your pocket, which is the whole idea of being in a business.

On the other hand, no matter how clean and trained pets are, nobody – not even their humans, can vouch 100% that they will not make any mistakes! You may experience some potential property damages if pets don’t behave very well. They are rough on housekeepers, too. You want to keep your housekeepers happy and want them to come to work instead of dreading cleaning up dog hair everywhere. Also worth noting, there can be a potential for lingering pet smell, which may pose a problem for fast markets with same-day turns. You may risk getting a bad review from guests that don’t have pets if that smell persists.

Be proactive to pet-proof your rental

• Start by checking with your home insurance company. Check to see if allowing pets will impact your insurance premium. Do your due diligence before jumping onboard into this idea.
• Install pet appropriate floors. Not all floors are the same. Mind those gaps in case of pets accidentally urinate inside your rental. Some hosts also add an extra towel by the main door for them to use before they come in, especially if it’s wet outside.
• Provide a pet-sonalized service. Similar to a hotel snack basket and mini bar, put together a pet welcome kit stocked with treats and toys to make guests and their pets feel right at home. Stock up on chew toys, food bowls, some yummy treats and maybe even a doggy bed or cat scratching post. 
• Include pet-friendly guides. Add in your digital guidebook areas for locating amenities like the nearest dog park, vet clinic, walking trails,     dog cafes, and outside eateries that allow pets and.

Lay out clear Pet House rules

• Put a weight limit in place. There are lots of breeds ranging in different sizes. The bigger the pet, the more space they occupy – the larger the area to clean. You can also put a limit on how many pets are allowed in the stay, depending on how you feel comfortable. 
• Set off-limits furniture. Do not allow pets onto the furniture, bedrooms or any places where cleaning can be extra difficult. Sofa covers and child gates can  be simple additions but are greatly appreciated by your cleaning staff!
• Owners clean up doggy doo-doo on the lawn. Responsible owners do this even at home, so it is not a biggie for them to do the same in yours. 
• Pets must be vaccinated and treated for fleas. This could be a very important part of your rule. You don’t want to be dealing with unwanted fleas after the stay, which if happens, would be catastrophic for your next guests and your property.
• Do not leave the pet home alone unless crated. Again, nobody can vouch for the pooch so they should be created when left alone. You may include that Pets must be crated at night, too.
• Bring food bowls and dog beds. You want your pet guests to be comfortable and to feel right at home. You can ask owners to bring these necessities with them, although make sure to have a spare tuck somewhere in case you need it!
• Nails must be clipped. They can scratch, oh yes they can! But you don’t want that evidence left behind on your furniture and walls.

Understanding clear and reasonable pet fees and cleaning fees

There is really nothing grand to worry about when opening your doors to accept pets. A matter of fact, lots of Hosts who have offered pet-friendly listings tell us time and again, that children make more mess and damage to property than our cute little [or big] furry friends. Interesting, right?! But in the rare event of damage to the property, take a pet deposit that you feel will be sufficient to cover any possible damages. Keep your repair quotes up to date for common damage like furniture, carpets, or moldings, and be sure to update your fees as needed.

Many of our guests are pros at traveling alongside their buddies, though a good majority may still be newbies, testing the travel flexibility and freedom that’s just recently introduced to them. It is important to effectively manage your guests’ expectations and avoid tricky situations. That way you are managing your own expectations, too.