Are Pet-Friendly Vacation Rentals the Future?
Should you Allow Pets at your Rental?
A long-standing debate in the short-term rental industry is whether allowing pets in vacation rentals is worth it. On one hand, it can boost your income by attracting pet owners willing to pay extra. On the other hand, it can lead to higher cleaning, repair, and maintenance costs.
However, since the COVID pandemic, pet ownership has surged, and more and more people are looking for pet-friendly vacation rentals. In today’s blog, we’ll explore whether or not pet-friendly rentals can earn more money, the pros and cons of making your short-term rental pet-friendly, and three easy steps towards giving pet owners the best guest experience they could possibly ask for.
Pet-Friendly Rentals Can Earn More Money
According to findings from KeyData, in 2022 pet-friendly rentals saw an adjusted paid occupancy rate of 54%, compared to 48% for rentals that do not allow pets. Furthermore, in the same year, the average daily rates of pet-friendly rentals were 9% higher than those that do not allow pets. Adjusted RevPAR was also higher for pet-friendly vacation rentals as well.
But despite these findings, it seems that offering a pet-friendly vacation rental is still a niche idea–only 27% of Airbnb properties allow pets, and the number is even lower on Vrbo.
One thing to note is that every market varies and there is greater demand in some places for pet-friendly rentals than in others. For instance, urban areas and wintertime ski destinations see less demand than more tropical destinations for pet-friendly vacation rentals. This is why it’s important to perform some analysis about your market and carefully consider whether offering a pet-friendly rental is a good opportunity for you.
The Pros and Cons of Pet-Friendly Vacation Rentals
While offering a pet-friendly rental comes with many benefits, there are also a few trade offs involved:
Pros
Pet-friendly rentals command higher nightly rates and higher occupancy rates than their non-pet-allowing counterparts.
Owners can appeal to a wider target market by expanding their accommodation offerings to pet owners.
Short-term rentals that are pet-friendly often include a pet fee, which can help offset any damages that might occur.
Being pet-friendly helps you to set yourself apart from the competition. If your location is a pet-friendly destination, it can give you a unique advantage.
Cons
Rentals that allow pets incur higher cleaning costs.
Loud pets can be a potential issue with those who live within close proximity to your vacation rental.
Although it can be rare, pets can and will cause damage to your rental property at some point, although this can be covered in part by pet fees.
A 3 Step Guide To Making Your Rental Pet-Friendly
If you’re hoping to make the jump and turn your vacation rental into a pet-friendly haven, we’ve broken down the process into three easy steps. Although you can certainly go above and beyond and offer more pet-themed amenities to appeal to your guests, this is a simple and cost-effective way to make your rental a pet paradise.
#1: Set Rules and Expectations for Pet Owners Staying at Your Property
Set out a few ground rules and expectations for pet owners who decide to book with your property and be as transparent as possible with potential guests about it. For instance, you should consider listing out what types of pets you won’t allow (i.e. banning certain breeds of dog or setting size restrictions) in your rental’s description and making it clear in house rules if certain areas are off-limits to animals. It’s also important to include information in the house rules about where pets should go to the bathroom.
#2: Put Some Pet-Friendly Touches In Your Rental
Short-term rental owners looking to lure in the pet owner crowd should think about adding some pet-friendly touches to their vacation rental’s decor. This can include small things such as providing a water and food bowl as well as extra leashes for dog owners, or you can go all-out and install a dog house in your backyard so guests can have some peace of mind. You might also want to think about pet-proofing your furniture to help lengthen its life and enhance its durability against pet odors.
#3: Let Guests Know About Pet-Friendly Activities in the Area
Anyone who is traveling to your destination with their beloved furry friend will have a much better experience if you inform them about the types of activities they can enjoy once they get to their accommodations. Put together a helpful guide for your future pet-owning guests, including what restaurants have outdoor seating and which hiking trails in the area are dog-friendly. Guests will appreciate that you did this research and in turn, have a better experience because of it.
More Ways to Up Your Vacation Rental Revenue
Although allowing pets at your vacation rental can increase your expenses, it can also pay off in the end. If you’re a savvy short-term rental owner who’s looking for more ways to enhance your vacation rental and up your revenue, we’ve written a few great guides we think you’ll appreciate, including one on the importance of dynamic pricing as well as decor tips that’ll help you get more bookings.