Considering going pet-friendly? We have everything you need to know about why welcoming pets to your rental is the move.
In short, you’ll likely make more money if you allow pets in your rental. Why? For a few reasons. First, you’ll open your property to more people, which should show an inevitable uptick in bookings. But the biggest benefit to welcoming pets is that you can charge more or include greater fees for the luxury of it.
Try this exercise: Go to a vacation booking site and compare comparable properties in the same area. The only significant difference between the two should be that one allows pets and the other doesn’t. How often is the pet-friendly place booked, and for what rate? You’ll often find that the rental with greater flexibility around pets sees greater bookings despite usually having higher nightly rates or fees.
This is more an observation than conclusive fact, but pet owners are often responsible guests. Likely due to the sheer weight of owning and caring for another living being, pet parents may respect your property more. Remember that this isn’t a guarantee; even the most doting pet parent can still have a pup or cat that likes to scratch or chew at furniture.
Word of mouth is as strong a recommendation as reviews! The more inclusive your property is for pets, the better. Pet owners will likely recommend your rental to friends and family, as well as on social media, leading to more guests.
The more restrictions you have on your property, the smaller your pool of potential renters will become. With all the options for rentals out there, your guests could go anywhere so why should they rent with you? By welcoming pets—and going the extra mile by making it a pet-inclusive property—you’re broadening your horizons and helping your chances of increased bookings.
Some rentals at the beach or mountains may be ideal for renters during certain seasons, but allowing pets can increase the likelihood of people coming during the off-season. Plus, by recommending activities and offering insights and perks, you can help them make better choices for enjoying the off-season, which makes your property a better choice.
Allowing pets into your rental isn’t always easy or without issue, but going into it understanding the considerations can help you make the best possible decision for your investment.
It does take extra work as a property owner to welcome pet’s into your rental, but the benefits often outweigh any challenges you may face.
Pet-friendly rentals are in high demand and will only open your booking potential, but the choice is personal based on your goals.
If they’re headed to a pet-friendly spot, why not? It’s always great to vacation with your family’s best friend!
In many cases, yes. Rental agreements should be where these restrictions live.
Yes. Some property owners have stipulations of where pets should be when left alone (a certain room, crate, etc.), but that choice is left to the property owner. Often, owners won’t have any directives for leaving pets unattended, but know that a lonely pet can cause damage that renters will be responsible for.
