Nowadays, it is common for people to travel with their entire family, including their furry babies!
Statistics even show that pet-friendly spaces are one of the key factors some guests look for when searching for Airbnb rental properties.
If you want to expand your business, making it pet-friendly puts you at the top of the list for many travellers. But it can also bring you additional benefits!
Let’s start with the reasons why you might consider turning your Airbnb into a space for people and pets alike.
Reasons to consider allowing pets at your Airbnb
As a host, you may want to satisfy the needs of your consumers. Organising your rental property to be animal-friendly opens up your Airbnb business to more opportunities.
Fewer competitors
Not many rental properties allow animals due to location restrictions or additional inconvenience. So if you allow pets, your property instantly attracts more potential guests!
Your audience grows when you open your rental to pet owners and non-pet owners. As a result, your booking rate on Airbnb increases and your rental may come out ahead of other options later on.
Consistent and constant demand
Surveys and research confirm that pet-friendly renters are among the top amenities travellers look for when booking a rental property. In fact, most people travelling with pets will only stay in pet-friendly properties.
With this in mind it would be safe to assume that many people will be more interested in making a reservation at your property as well as repeat bookings.
Premium pricing
Making your space pet-friendly can incur extra expense on your furry friend. You can include a fee for guests who bring their pets to cover them. If necessary, you could also increase the bond.
When you add additional charges, services and rules, be sure to include that in your advert. This way, renters with pets will know what to expect.
Higher guest retention
Since pet-friendly rentals are rare in most destinations, pet owners appreciate properties that welcome their furry friends, especially because they treat their pets like family.
A positive stay at your property will encourage travellers to book again. They may even recommend your home to their pet-owning friends.
Guests tend to stay longer and give better reviews when they can bring their pet.
Guests stay longer
Many pet owners prefer to take their cuddly babies with them when they go on vacation or vacation, but you don’t always have the opportunity to do so.
So renters tend to book more nights when they can bring their pets! This way, they can spend their time outside without worrying too much about their pets at home.
Factors to consider before allowing pet rentals
There are only a few Airbnbs that allow pets, despite the demand. It is usually because owners encounter particular limitations that prevent them from allowing pets.
There are several factors that affect a property’s ability to accommodate furry friends. Among them are the following:
Location type
Some rental properties aren’t cut out for pets, either because of the location or the activities. For example, jungle retreats or properties that offer outdoor sports.
Although there may be ways to make it possible, it doesn’t always work well.
Accommodation Accessibility
Sometimes unique property rentals may require more than just a simple trip, such as a climb up a mountain. In this case, bringing pets will make it difficult for tenants to arrive at the destination and can only cause inconvenience.
Property restrictions
Some hosts find themselves with ownership restrictions, especially when they are not the actual owners. For example if it is a first floor apartment with a wooden floor, there can be limitations on accommodating pets here.
In these cases, the host will only be able to allow pets on the property if they receive permission from the owner.
What about service animals?
Regardless of whether or not your property is open to pets, Airbnb has a pet policy allowing travellers to bring their assistance animals.
This specifies that hosts must accommodate these pets and cannot charge additional fees when a service animal is present due to a guest disability.
In addition, a host may not care for a service animal if it puts the health and safety of the host and others in the rental at risk.
How to make your rental property pet friendly
If you’re thinking of making your rental home more pet-friendly, here’s what you can do:
Prepare your space
Most pets don’t need a lot of hospitality when travelling away from home. Usually having their basic necessities will be enough for them to be comfortable.
Keep a supply of food and water bowls, pet-friendly furniture covers, wipes for cleaning pets, pet scratching posts, litter boxes, and extra pet cleaning supplies. If you are stuck for space you can always give this equipment to your cleaner who can supply the property as and when a pet booking is made!
To the fullest extent possible, protect your property by putting away breakables and put them out of reach of your new pet tenant!
Set out house rules
Whilst it’s important to be pet friendly, you must also prepare house rules. Be clear with the house rules to avoid any harm or damage during your stay.
Such rules could include:
What pets are accepted on the property
When pet owners can leave them unattended
What areas of the property pets are allowed
When to keep pets on a leash
Where to dispose of pet waste
Updating your list with these rules sets your guests’ expectations in advance, so be sure to include them.
Update your guide
Your rental may not be able to provide everything a pet needs. Include recommendations for veterinarians, pet or dog parks, and pet supply stores near the property in your guide and listing for renters with pets who may need to know the locations of these places.
Get additional coverage for pet damage
Accidents can happen no matter how well trained a pet is, and the additional expenses may not be enough to cover them. Consider getting pet damage coverage to protect yourself from unexpected expenses.
The insurance usually covers up to $1 million of damages. You can also request a refund if you have all the necessary documents.
Summary
You can see that there are many pros to allowing pets in your airbnb property including more bookings, higher occupancy rates and longer stays.
However, for some owners the cons outweigh the pros. Here are Superhost+ we are pet lovers so would be more inclined to allow pets at our Airbnb, but ultimately it’s down to the property owners themselves!
What do you think? Is it a good idea to allow pets to stay at your Airbnb?
