Pros and Cons of Being a Pet-Friendly Vacation Rental

It’s a dilemma property managers have always faced: Should you allow pets in a vacation rental? On the one hand, allowing renters to bring their pets will make your property appeal to more people. But on the other hand, allowing pets increases the risk of damage to the property.

This situation is much more nuanced than it initially seems. Before you make a decision, make sure you’re familiar with the pros and cons of pet-friendly rentals. Here’s a look at some of the most important considerations.

Benefits of Making Your Short-Term Rentals Pet-Friendly

Many people consider their pets to be part of the family. Naturally, they want to bring them along on family vacations. Here are some of the benefits of welcoming these guests and their four-legged friends.

Broader Market Reach

Not all short-term rentals allow pets. While there are good reasons for this choice, it cuts out a substantial portion of the market. 

If your property appeals to more renters, you’ll get more bookings. And since pet ownership is on the rise, the market reach of pet-friendly properties might be even greater than you realize.

Potential for Greater Revenue

When you open up your short-term rental properties to pets, you also open up the possibility of greater revenue. 

Most pet owners understand that operating a pet-friendly rental carries more risk, and they’re usually willing to pay extra for the privilege of bringing their pet along on their travels. This means that you can add a reasonable pet fee to these rentals — and most pet owners won’t have a problem paying it.

Pet deposits are also a great idea, but pet fees are not the same thing as pet deposits. A pet deposit is typically refundable unless the pet causes damage to the property. A pet fee is not refundable, and it’s meant to cover additional cleaning costs and wear and tear on the property.

An Edge Over Local Competition

When you’re looking at the pros and cons of pet-friendly rentals, you shouldn’t overlook local market conditions. In some locations, a pet-friendly property may give you an unambiguous advantage. For example, if the property is near hiking trails and other opportunities for outdoor exploration, many renters will want to bring their dogs along.

In areas where tourism is a major industry, competition among short-term rentals is fierce. For many pet owners, bringing a pet along on vacation is non negotiable. With all other things being equal, they’ll choose your property over one that doesn’t allow pets.

Repeat Business

Once pet owners find a short-term rental they love, they’re likely to keep coming back. And because so many short-term rentals don’t allow pets, they might tell their friends, too. It’s a win-win; you get repeat business from guests you know don’t cause problems, and guests get a pet-friendly vacation rental they can return to year after year.

Drawbacks of Making Your Short-Term Rentals Pet-Friendly

When you consider the pros and cons of pet-friendly rentals, make sure to weigh the potential downsides along with the benefits. These are some of the risks that come with opening up your short-term rental to pets.

Risk of Damage

Most property managers who don’t allow pets made that decision based on the potential for damage. In some cases, the decision came only after a costly experience with a renter’s pet.

When you don’t know how well-trained a guest’s pets are, there’s always a risk of indoor accidents, furniture damage, and permanent chew and claw marks. Fortunately, there are some ways to help protect your property. 

For instance, when you use Safely’s unique guest screening service, we check potential guests against our database of renters who have caused damage in the past. You also can reduce your risk by taking a few extra precautions:

• Requiring pets to be crated when the guest leaves the home
• Investing in scratch-resistant furniture that’s easy to clean
• Making sure pet-friendly properties have durable flooring
• Limiting the number or type of pets allowed

When you take smart steps to minimize the chance of serious damage, you can protect your short-term rentals while increasing your revenue potential.

More Intensive Cleaning and Maintenance

Short-term rental properties that allow pets almost always cost more to clean and maintain. Even if pets are clean and well-groomed and don’t have any accidents indoors, the property will still need to be thoroughly cleaned to avoid the buildup of dander and odors. And if pets urinate in the house, you may need to hire specialized cleaners to remove odors and stains and protect your flooring. 

You might also spend more on renovations and maintenance for pet-friendly properties. For example, even durable floors may eventually become scratched and worn from pets’ nails.

Allergy Concerns

Pet-friendly properties are a draw for pet owners, but they can deter guests with allergies. Thorough cleanings between stays can minimize the buildup of pet dander and other allergens, but there may still be enough present to cause issues for someone with allergies.

Generally, someone with serious allergies will avoid pet-friendly properties. If they do book your rental and end up suffering from allergy symptoms, you run the risk of a negative review. 

Liability Issues

Liability isn’t always mentioned in conversations about the pros and cons of pet-friendly rentals, but it’s essential to think about. Your short-term rental insurance policy should protect you if a guest is injured — but are you covered if a guest’s dog attacks someone else? 

Before allowing pets in your rental, you should always make sure your insurance coverage gives you the level of protection you need.

Should Your Short-Term Rental Accept Pets?

Ultimately, only you can answer this question. Carefully weighing the pros and cons of pet-friendly rentals is the best way to make an informed decision. Keep in mind that if you do decide to accept pets, the short-term rental insurance policies at Safely can help you lower your risk while protecting your properties. 

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