Episode notes
Service animals are different from Emotional Support Animals. Both are different from pets. Find out what you need to know about hosting our furry, four-legged friends!
Here are the highlights:
Legally, depending on where you are located, you cannot prohibit or deny a guest with a service animal
If not legally, you will be violating the terms and conditions of the OTA you signed up with (Airbnb, VRBO) and may be at risk of getting your listing suspended
Service animals are there to help with a disability
Emotional Service Animals are not required to be accepted by hosts and are different from service animals
What can happen if you deny a guest with a service animal?
What questions can you ask a guest regarding a service animal?
Hosting pets is a personal choice, but you can build a competitive edge by hosting pets
There is a big market out there for pet-friendly airbnbs and short term rentals
The difference between pet-friendly and just allowing pets (secrets to show pet lovers you care and are actually pet-friendly!)
Cleaning required when you are pet-friendly
Can you charge extra cleaning when a service animal stays? (hint: no)
See Airbnb's Accessibility Policy here:
https://www.airbnb.com/help/article/1869/accessibility-policy
Two questions you are legally allowed to ask regarding service animals:
(1) is the dog a service animal required because of a disability? and (2) what work or task has the dog been trained to perform?
Please note, we highly recommend being accommodating and hosting service animals - it is the right thing to do!
Note: Federal Law does not require you to host in a single family dwelling a service animal, but you will be violating terms and conditions you agreed to when you signed up to use the OTA (Airbnb, VRBO) and can be suspended if you take this stance.
Want to know more, need more help or have an idea for a podcast episode? Reach out to us at john@vacationhomhelp.com. Join our owner community on facebook (we love to connect with other hosts!)
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