What is Airbnb’s pet policy?

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Airbnb’s flexible host and guest rules have been a game changer in the rental industry. Before Airbnb, many hosts would be hesitant in allowing guests to bring their pets. Also, many major booking sites had rigid pet policies, in many cases charging higher than usual rents.

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But with the emergence of Airbnb, that has changed.

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Airbnb allows hosts to decide whether or not they would allow pets into their homes. Some hosts don’t allow pets due to allergies or due to the hassle of cleaning after them. But Airbnb facilitates the guests by allowing multiple listings of hosts that do allow pets, thus, providing the guests with options. 

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Moreover, Airbnb allows hosts to charge “pet insurance,” a way to incentivise the hosts for making them accept guests with pets.

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How pet fees work on Airbnb?

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There isn’t a standard fee that Airbnb charges for pets. Instead, Airbnb allows the hosts the right to include a fee for pets in their listings. These charges can range anywhere from $5 to $100.

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Pet fees aren’t usually displayed on your total booking price at checkout. Instead, the host will send you a fee amount as a price adjustment after the booking is made. 

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Some hosts charge a pet deposit instead of a pet fee that is refundable, at checkout, in case no damage is done to their property by the pet. However, if there are damages, then the deposit will be used to cover the damages.

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So, read the full description of the listing before booking and contact the host for further information regarding what kind of pets they usually allow and can they make an exception in case of a rare breed.

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Emotional and support animals: does Airbnb allow them?

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The simple answer: Yes they do. However, there are a few caveats that you need to be aware of.

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Airbnb categorises service animals and emotional support animals as “assistance animals.” Service animals are those that are trained to support humans with tasks like vision, navigation, neurological abilities, etc. 

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On the other hand, emotional animals are those that humans use for emotional or therapeutic support. You can checkout Airbnb’s support article on how they actually categorise emotional and support animals.

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Airbnb is actually supportive of guests with support animals. They acknowledge the fact that support animals are essential for the guests to complete their daily tasks. So, that’s why guests with assistance animals are included in Airbnb Nondiscrimination Policy.

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 So, hosts aren’t allowed to charge an additional pet fee, but they can charge for damages caused by the pet.

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But Airbnb also makes it clear that hosts are well within their rights to request the removal of support animals if they are poorly trained or exhibit poor behaviour.

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What are Airbnb’s pet policy violations?

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Airbnb allows the host to make their own pet policies. A guest at the time of booking need to accept all the policies set by the host. Violating any of the rules set by your host can result in additional charges - either deducted from the pet deposit or charged separately (through the Resolution Center.)

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If your pet doesn’t adjust well to new surroundings or displays any kind of anxiety, then it’s better for you leave it at home with a pet sitter.

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How to find a pet friendly Airbnb listing?

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Now we come to the point where we will lay out the steps on how you can find the perfect pet friendly Airbnb listing. Here’s how you  can do it:

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• Go on to Airbnb.com, enter destination, dates, and number of guest, and click on “Search”
• On the search result page, click on “More filters”
• In the pop-up go to “House Rules” and select “Pets allowed”
• After finding the listing that suits your budget and taste, go down to house rules section of the listing
• In this section, you will find the particular rules set by the host (like what type of pet is allowed and which part of the property it is allowed on or not and more)

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Some examples of rules are:

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• Whether a pet is allowed in the house or not
• Designated areas of the property the pet is allowed into
•  Where a pet must be leashed
• Instructions for waste collection/disposal

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Moreover, to find listings that cater towards pet owners, look for features in the descriptions and photos, like food or water bowls, pet supplies, and spacious yards. Some hosts include recommendations on where to find the best pet food supplies and veterinarians, do look at them as well.

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Recommendations for pet owners

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For guests looking for pet friendly Airbnb listing, whether long-term or short-term rentals, we have complied a few recommendations that can be beneficial for both you and the hosts:

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1. It’s important for guests to inform the hosts about their pets prior to booking. This will ensure that all of your pets needs are sufficiently met. A poorly-suited environment, on the other hand, can alter the behaviour of your pet due to stress or excitement.
2. It’s recommended that you find long-term rentals. Long-term rentals are more pet-friendly compared to short-term rentals.

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How to book a dog-friendly Airbnb?

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As mentioned before, Airbnb allows the hosts to set their own rules regarding pets. Similar is the case for dogs.

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Some hosts might not allow dogs that are heavy shedders or are more active as compared to other breeds. Also, some hosts are themselves pet owners, and might not allow pets that can cause territorial disputes with their own pet. Moreover, some hosts might be hesitant to allow pets that bigger in size (due to space issues).

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While some of the rules might sound excessive, it does provide the hosts surity that only responsible pet owners will be allowed to stay in their property. Here are a few more examples of dog rules that hosts might set up:

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• Weight limits
• Flee or tick free
• Neutered dogs only
• No loud barking
• Breed restrictions
• Proof vaccinations
• Potty trained

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How to find cat-friendly Airbnb listings?

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Many Airbnb guest are dog-owners as compared to cat-owners. But if you are one, then you can follow the above mentioned steps to find listings that are cat-friendly. Moreover, as more people are allergic to cats than dogs, it’s usually a good practice to notify your host before booking.

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Continue reading: How To Find Pet Friendly Listings on Booking.com

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Conclusion

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As guests, it’s your responsibility to make sure that you adhere to the pet guidelines and rules set by the hosts if you want to bring your pet(s). However, you can always rely on Airbnb to provide you with options that cater to your pets specific needs.

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We hope that this guide provides you with all the information needed to help you find the best pet friendly Airbnb listing in the UK. 

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