Policy on Pets in Short-Term Rentals: Dogs, Cats, and Rules That Protect Tenants

“Pets allowed” in a listing can increase inquiries by 10 to 25 percent in certain markets (coastal areas, the countryside, vacation rentals). But an undeclared dog on a velvet couch, or three cats at night without a proper litter box, can cost far more than an improperly calculated pet fee. The pet policy isn’t just a checkbox on online travel agencies (OTAs): it’s a usage agreement that protects your property, your neighbors, and your reviews.

This guide helps you decide whether to accept pets, set pricing, communicate clearly in your listing, manage allergies and condominium rules, and handle incidents without getting overwhelmed by messages.

Accept, Reject, or Accept with Conditions

Total Rejection: Justified if the homeowners’ association prohibits pets, insurance restrictions apply, the owner has allergies, or there is fragile furniture. Clearly state this on all platforms to avoid “hidden dog” bookings.

Broad acceptance: dogs and cats, maximum size, maximum number. Ideal if you have a fenced yard and easy-to-clean floors.

Conditional acceptance (recommended for most listings): dogs only (no cats if future guests have allergies), maximum weight of 15 or 25 kg, no pets allowed on beds or couches with provided blankets, no leaving the pet alone all day if barking has been reported in the condo complex, and a surcharge per stay plus an increased security deposit.

Write a Clear Policy in 10 Lines

Example to adapt in your welcome booklet:

1. Pets allowed upon confirmed request before arrival.
2. Maximum of 2 pets; dogs must weigh no more than 25 kg.
3. No pets allowed on bedding in the bedrooms—a blanket is provided in the living room.
4. Clean up pet waste in the yard immediately.
5. Do not leave the pet alone for more than 3 hours if it barks.
6. €35 surcharge per stay per pet.
7. Security deposit increased by €150 for pet-related damage.
8. In case of excessive pet hair or odor: additional cleaning fees charged according to the rates in the booklet.
9. Service animals: contact us—specific legal requirements apply.
10. Failure to comply may result in termination of your stay in accordance with the platform’s Terms of Service.

Tone: firm but welcoming. Responsible pet owners appreciate clarity.

Take action — Create your handbook for free : 1 property, 6 sections, no credit card required.

Pricing: Pet Fees, Security Deposit, and Cleaning

The surcharge isn’t pure profit: allow for 30–45 min of additional cleaning and a professional lint roller. Hosts who undercharge end up subsidizing the damage.

Payment of the surcharge: at the time of booking via the platform, or via Stripe in the guide for direct bookings.

Preparing the Property

Prepare your property with machine-washable blankets (washable at 60°C) on the couches, a bowl and a food dish for pets (a small gesture with a big impact on reviews), a washable entryway mat, a vacuum cleaner with a pet brush attachment accessible in a dedicated cabinet, and an enzymatic odor-neutralizing spray for the cleaning crew—not a scented masking agent. In the yard, provide poop bags and a closed trash can.

Add a line to your between-stay cleaning checklist that reads “sofa hair + vacuum under the bed.”

Condominium Rules, Neighbors, and Insurance

Before accepting pets, read the condominium rules (total ban or tolerance), notify the property manager if your pet is registered, check your pet insurance or comprehensive coverage (some policies exclude pet damage or limit the number of pets), and notify your neighbors only if your house rules require it—generally, this isn’t necessary if the rules are followed.

A dog that barks for 6 hours while you’re away triggers more complaints than an all-night party. The rule “don’t leave them alone for long” must be included in the guest handbook and reiterated in the check-in message.

Service Animals vs. Pets

In France and on international platforms, service animals (guide dogs, certain medical alert dogs) are not considered “pets” for pricing purposes. Do not refuse without a solid legal basis. If in doubt, contact the platform’s support team politely.

For standard pets, your pricing policy applies.

Handling a guest who arrives with an undeclared animal

1. Factual message: “Our listing requires prior declaration; please confirm the breed and weight.”
2. Offer the immediate surcharge + agreement to the rules in the handbook
3. If the guest refuses to pay or the animal is dangerous: escalate to the platform according to the Terms of Service
4. Take discreet photos in case of damage for security deposit

Avoid heated confrontations upon arrival; document and keep a written record.

Impact on Reviews and Cleanliness

Negative reviews mentioning “hair everywhere” affect the cleanliness criterion—the most sensitive one on Airbnb. Invest in a more thorough cleaning rather than air fresheners that mask odors (allergy-prone guests hate them).

After a stay with a pet, have a second person check the place if you have another guest arriving the same day. The cost of a 15-minute check is less than a 3-star review.

Communication in Majordia

Set up a “Pets” tile with your full policy and a clickable fee breakdown. Train the AI Butler to answer questions like “Where are the poop bags?” and “Can we leave the dog alone?” Enable an automatic message sent two days before arrival if the reservation is tagged “pet” on an OTA.

This reduces repetitive messages and aligns expectations.

Allergies, Bedding, and Subsequent Stays Without Pets

Even after a thorough cleaning, pet hair lingers in textiles. If you have a guest with allergies staying next, use dust-mite-proof covers on mattresses and pillows, run a 60°C wash cycle on pillows and comforters between each stay with a pet, air out the space thoroughly with windows open, and note “previous stay with a pet” internally without unnecessarily alarming the guest if the protocol has been followed.

Some hosts wait 48 hours between a pet stay and an advertised “hypoallergenic” stay—assess this based on your booking turnover.

Platforms: Airbnb, Booking, and Abritel Settings

On Airbnb, enable “pets allowed,” set the pet fee, and sync your house rules. On Booking, fill in the pet policy and the comment field; check the “pet-friendly” options. On Abritel / VRBO, families with dogs are common guests—a clear policy prevents surprises.

Inconsistencies across platforms lead to bookings on the most permissive platform, followed by a surprise upon arrival. Review your listings quarterly.

Common Mistakes

The most costly mistakes include allowing “pets” without a surcharge or rules (resulting in messes), off-white furniture with dogs (a recipe for disaster), failure to inspect the unit after a pet’s stay, allowing two large dogs in a 40 m² loft, or forgetting to update the policy on a single platform.

Operational Checklist for “Stays with Pets”

• Pet declared and surcharge collected
• Clean blankets in place
• Reminder message about barking/being left alone
• Thorough cleaning scheduled upon checkout
• Photos of cleaning between stays if bed/sofa were used
• Ventilation + laundry at 60°C
• Internal note for next stay if allergies are reported

This checklist, shared with the housekeeping team, is worth more than a paragraph of rules that no one reads.

FAQ

Can a traveler hide their pet?

Yes; this is why there’s a deposit and a “no-disclosure” clause. Report it to the platform if the host refuses to adjust the booking.

Cats vs. dogs: same policy?

You may make distinctions (cats alone prohibited if sofas are delicate). Be explicit.

Is the pet fee taxable like the room rate?

Accounting treatment depends on your tax status; consult your accountant.

Can I refuse a specific breed?

Avoid discriminatory language; focus instead on weight, number, and behavior. Consult a lawyer for sensitive cases.

Pets and work-from-home stays: Are they compatible?

Yes, if the remote worker has a calm dog; cross-reference with our guide Work-from-Home Stays.

Can I ban pets on one property and allow them on another?

No, if you want to avoid disputes: a single policy, three properties aligned. See the monthly checklist in this guide.

Do I need to wash pet-soiled blankets between stays?

Yes, always at 60 °C—even if the next guest doesn’t have a pet—to eliminate residual odors and allergens.

Do platforms reimburse damage caused by pets?

Airbnb AirCover and Booking’s guarantees sometimes cover limited cases; don’t count on them for a scratched sofa. Your security deposit, photos, and cleaning fee schedule remain your main line of defense.

Can I ban dogs but allow cats?

Yes, as long as it’s consistent with your furnishings and your listing across all platforms. Being clear prevents requests like “just a small dog” upon arrival.

Learn More on the Majordia Website

Explore the features, pricing, a video tour, Stripe integration, the guides on security deposits and reviews, and sign up.

Choose the Right Level of Restrictions for Your Property

A downtown studio apartment with old hardwood floors and close neighbors doesn’t call for the same policy as a house with a fenced-in yard in the countryside. Assess your furnishings, your building’s rules, and your target clientele before checking “pets allowed.” Allowing pets without proper logistical preparation turns a marketing tool into a source of disputes.

Communicate the policy as soon as the reservation is made

The sooner you provide information, the fewer surprises you’ll have to deal with upon arrival. Mention the pet policy in the listing, the confirmation email, the guest handbook, and the one-day-before-arrival reminder. A guest who has read the same rules three times arrives fully informed; a guest caught off guard will dispute the surcharge or hide their pet.

Measure the Profitability of Stays with Pets

Track the revenue generated by “pet-friendly” reservations, the average cost of deep cleaning, and the rate of negative reviews related to cleanliness in this segment. If the surcharge does not cover the additional cleaning time, adjust your rates or tighten your criteria (weight, number of pets, permitted length of absence).