Pets and Your Vacation Homes and Condos - The Real Truth
If you've recently bought a vacation home or condo and are considering whether or not to allow pets, there are several questions you should ask yourself. These include:
- Will allowing pets increase bookings?
- Will renters be deterred by the presence of pets?
- Do pets actually cause damage to vacation rentals?
- Can you enforce a "No Pets Allowed" rule?
- If you do allow pets, what types and how many should you permit?
- Are you willing to accommodate renters with pet allergies?
- What steps can you take to minimize risks associated with allowing pets?
- Ultimately, should you allow pets at your vacation home?
As someone with 8 years of experience and ownership of 7 vacation rentals, here's my advice:
Allowing pets can actually increase bookings, as refusing pets will lose potential renters who wish to vacation with their pets. However, keep in mind that some renters may have allergies and be unwilling to stay in a home where pets are occasionally present. To balance this, consider implementing rules around the type and number of pets allowed, as well as renters signing a Pet Policy.
While some pets may cause damage, most do not, and it's important to have a good pet policy in place to protect yourself from renters who may anticipate damage or a mess. Simply banning pets won't necessarily stop renters from bringing them along anyway and trying to sneak them in.
To enforce a "No Pets Allowed" rule, consider asking renters to inquire about pets rather than outright banning them. This allows you to find out more information about the pet, inform renters of your pet policy, and ask them to sign it. Additionally, asking for an additional security deposit for renters who bring pets can be a good deterrent against those who try to sneak them in.
Most renters who bring pets will have small dogs or cats, and very few will bring large dogs. Consider the size of your vacation rental when determining how many pets to allow, and only permit exceptions if you're comfortable doing so.
Ultimately, the decision to allow pets at your vacation home is up to you. If you do decide to allow them, take steps to minimize any associated risks, such as implementing a pet policy and informing your property manager of any pets that will be staying at your home.