Damage agreement for STR

Damage agreement for STR

Real Estate Agent · Willoughby, OH · Member since 2021 · 47 posts · 42 votes

I use direct booking for my short-term rental, but also several channels like Airbnb. With direct booking we have a security deposit that places is a hold on the guest credit card until after they leave. However, with Airbnb you have to go through their channels to collect any kind of damage fee. For that reason, we have a pet policy that a pet has to be 20 pounds, housebroken, and crated when they are left alone. 
A guest recently made a reservation and then told me they will have to bring their dog with them. He claims that the dog is housebroken but it is a three month old puppy. He also claims it will stay in the crate and even though it is a golden retriever it is not yet 20 pounds. So technically, according to him The dog meets all the requirements for our pet policy. I don’t feel like I can tell him no, but I would like for him to sign some kind of agreement or do something to make a security deposit for potential damages. Is there anyone who has done this outside of Airbnb? Like send him a separate document to sign?

(obviously I will be adding to our pet policy that the dog has to be at least two years old or something like that.)

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Real Estate Agent · Smoky Mountains, TN · Member since 2022 · 1k+ posts · 984 votes
4y

Yes you can have the guest sign a rental agreement off platform. You can also take a security deposit off platform. You can easily google it and pull airbnbs policy if a guest ever gives you grief over it. I have this process automated through Ownerrez. It may be late for this booking but you could definitely get it set up in time for the next one. 

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  • Real Estate Agent · Smoky Mountains, TN · Member since 2022 · 1k+ posts · 984 votes
    4y

    Yes you can have the guest sign a rental agreement off platform. You can also take a security deposit off platform. You can easily google it and pull airbnbs policy if a guest ever gives you grief over it. I have this process automated through Ownerrez. It may be late for this booking but you could definitely get it set up in time for the next one. 

  • John UnderwoodPro Member
    Investor · Greer, SC · Member since 2014 · 13k+ posts · 17k+ votes
    4y

    You can still file a claim for damages should you have any.

  • Rental Property Investor · Phoenix, AZ and Rehoboth Beach DE · Member since 2019 · 1k+ posts · 1k+ votes
    4y

    From the American Kennel Club "Take the age of your puppy in months and add one, and that is the
    maximum number of hours that your puppy should be able to comfortably hold it between potty breaks. A 3-month-old puppy plus one equals 4
    hours that they should be able to stay in the crate without a mess... If training begins early, a 6-month-old puppy is usually able to be depended on most of the time to eliminate outside."             
    https://www.akc.org/expert-adv...

    Some owners also think it's ok to use pee pads in the house. He may be using a pee pad in the crate at night.  You might also want to go over the house with a black light afterward, to make sure he didn't pee where you can't see it.
    I think requiring a dog to be 2 years old might be a stretch, 1 year old would be more like it.

  • Real Estate Agent · Willoughby, OH · Member since 2021 · 47 posts · 42 votes
    4y
    Quote from @Lauren Kormylo:

    From the American Kennel Club "Take the age of your puppy in months and add one, and that is the
    maximum number of hours that your puppy should be able to comfortably hold it between potty breaks. A 3-month-old puppy plus one equals 4
    hours that they should be able to stay in the crate without a mess... If training begins early, a 6-month-old puppy is usually able to be depended on most of the time to eliminate outside."             
    https://www.akc.org/expert-adv...

    Some owners also think it's ok to use pee pads in the house. He may be using a pee pad in the crate at night.  You might also want to go over the house with a black light afterward, to make sure he didn't pee where you can't see it.
    I think requiring a dog to be 2 years old might be a stretch, 1 year old would be more like it.


     Great information! Thank you!

  • Nathan GesnerBusiness Member
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    Real Estate Broker · Cody, WY · Member since 2010 · 28k+ posts · 41k+ votes
    4y
    Quote from @Amy Greenwood:

    Another consideration: don't accept animals less than one year old. Puppies and kittens aren't typically mature enough. If they fail to crate it or it manages to get out, it can cause a lot of damage in a short period of time.

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  • Investor · The worst town to live in, KS · Member since 2016 · 4k+ posts · 4k+ votes
    4y

    You are sweating the petty things.  I have more problems with humans than I do with peoples pets.  Most pet owners are pretty responsible.  Some people that are not qualified to own a pet are pretty irresponsible.

  • Real Estate Agent · Willoughby, OH · Member since 2021 · 47 posts · 42 votes
    4y
    Quote from @Nathan Gesner:
    Quote from @Amy Greenwood:

    Another consideration: don't accept animals less than one year old. Puppies and kittens aren't typically mature enough. If they fail to crate it or it manages to get out, it can cause a lot of damage in a short period of time.


    I did add that to our pet policy for the future.  

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