All Forum Posts by: Jennifer Gardner

I'm just confused because she didn't have the ESA pet before moving in. I feel like I need to talk to a landlord lawyer. Anyone know where I can get free advice in California? 

Hi all,

I own a duplex in Long Beach where I rent the upper unit long term and the lower unit short term (airbnb). My upstairs tenants have been in since May 1. They are lovely girls in their 20s and one has a service dog in spite of my no pets policy. Of course that was allowed. Now, the other tenant is wondering if I'll consider a border collie lab mix that is house trained. She has an ESA letter from her therapist.

I am considering it but need guidance. Am I allowed to charge a pet deposit/pet rent or any pet fees knowing she has an ESA letter? 

I do have a pet addendum through AACSC that includes non-barking/house-trained and other conditions I can set but wondering everyone's thoughts to help me make a decision and possibly offer this to them. She has a boyfriend who comes over every day with his small dog and I haven't said anything about that.My concerns are primarily about my hardwood floors and the noise disturbance with barking and other large dog related issues for my airbnb guests downstairs - that could cost me in ratings and then bookings.

I am especially concerned about the ESA letter since I read that I can't charge additional fees so I feel like all I stand here is to lose.

Thanks in advance :) 

Hi all,

I'm going through the same dilemma. 

I own a duplex in Long Beach where I rent the upper unit long term and the lower unit short term (airbnb). My upstairs tenants have been in since May 1. They are lovely girls in their 20s and one has a service dog in spite of my no pets policy. Of course that was allowed. Now, the other tenant is wondering if I'll consider a border collie lab mix that is house trained. I am considering it but need guidance.Pet deposit? Pet rent? How much? I do have a pet addendum through AACSC that includes non-barking/house-trained and other conditions I can set but wondering everyone's thoughts to help me make a decision and possibly offer this to them. She has a boyfriend who comes over every day with his small dog and I haven't said anything about that.My concerns are primarily about my hardwood floors and the noise disturbance with barking and other large dog related issues for my airbnb guests downstairs - that could cost me in ratings and then bookings.

Thoughts on pet rent vs. pet deposit and how much? Thanks!

Hi all,

I'm going through the same dilemma. 

I own a duplex in Long Beach where I rent the upper unit long term and the lower unit short term (airbnb). My upstairs tenants have been in since May 1. They are lovely girls in their 20s and one has a service dog in spite of my no pets policy. Of course that was allowed. Now, the other tenant is wondering if I'll consider a border collie lab mix that is house trained. I am considering it but need guidance.Pet deposit? Pet rent? How much? I do have a pet addendum through AACSC that includes non-barking/house-trained and other conditions I can set but wondering everyone's thoughts to help me make a decision and possibly offer this to them. She has a boyfriend who comes over every day with his small dog and I haven't said anything about that.My concerns are primarily about my hardwood floors and the noise disturbance with barking and other large dog related issues for my airbnb guests downstairs - that could cost me in ratings and then bookings.

Thoughts on pet rent vs. pet deposit and how much? Thanks!

Thanks @Bruce Woodruff!   

@John Mausteller what hourly do you think is reasonable? She would have to drive 30-40 mins one way then handle whatever business such as putting packages in my onsite storage.

@Kevin Luttrell yeah exactly that's why I don't know how to compensate her for her time. She's been making some labels and doing some small last minute things but she has a background in property management so helped me find my LT tenants and helped me set up this whole endeavor so she's invested emotionally. Basically I don't want to cut her out completely and will be needing her to run it once or twice a year when I'm out of reach due to long-distance travel. 

Things she might need to do could include ongoing improvements but I plan on going down there every three months or more so thinking I could work on those myself as well, with her help because she's got such a great designer's eye and is always up to help. She wanted to work on the guidebook for me so did that but hasn't sent me an invoice yet and I'm just not sure what to ask.

It's complicated by the fact that we're friends but she was a friend of a friend before this whole process and has only since this become a close friend who I respect and appreciate a lot. 

Thanks so much @Marco Egurvide, I also went to CSULB in the early 2000s for my teaching credential while teaching at Locke High School in South-central. Such fun times and I still love CSULB. When I move down there to live in one of these units, I hope to work there! I'm a college counselor now and send lots of kids down there from the Bay. 

My friend might be available for interior decorating as she does predominantly Let me ask her and get back to you. What is the scope of your project? She likes to keep it local in the LA area.

Hi all,

I have a friend who's a designer and helped me set up my beautiful space.

She is now attached to the STR and wants to cohost with me. I am managing it long distance as I live in Northern California and she lives locally, in LA. It is handy to have her available to go to the property when I can't. I also have a great team of cleaner, handyman, etc locally that I have great relationships with. I'm wondering what and how to pay her going forward. Do I pay her an hourly for when she has to go down there? What kinds of contracts have you worked with? I know PMs and cohosts often make a percentage of monthly earnings but I don't think that's appropriate in this case since I'm responding to all emails and troubleshooting issues as they come for now. Although down the road, I might go this route so am still interested in what you do. For example, when I travel to Europe and the time difference is too much to be able to respond in a timely way.

Interested in how you handle things! 

Thanks :)

Hi all,

I closed on the duplex April 1st after a 3 month grueling escrow. I spent my spring break (I'm an educator) pounding the pavement in Long Beach to furnish the lower unit and got my first bookings by May 1st! I got my long term tenants in the top unit to begin their lease on May 1st as well. Just wanted to share and also get your feedback! It's been exciting so far.

https://www.airbnb.com/rooms/5...

Thanks for your support!