A property advertised as dog friendly receives a booking for a family of four. Three large dogs arrive, one of which sleeps on the sofa, and eleven friends come for a barbecue on the Saturday.
Nothing in the listing said a number, a size, where dogs could go or how many people could be on the property. The owner is upset and the guest has broken no stated rule.
1. State the number of pets allowed
One, two, or by arrangement. Pet friendly without a number is an invitation to interpretation and the interpretation will not be yours.
2. Say what size and type
Some properties suit small dogs and not large ones, and some owners are happy with dogs and not cats. Being specific is not unwelcoming.
3. Publish the charge clearly
Per pet or per stay, with the figure. Pet owners expect a charge and budget for it, and discovering it at checkout is what generates complaints.
4. Set out where pets may and may not go
Downstairs only, not on furniture, not in bedrooms. Practical rules that owners follow when they know them and cannot follow when they do not.
5. Say whether pets can be left alone
The single most important rule in most properties and the one least often stated. A dog left alone in an unfamiliar house barks and damages things.
6. Provide something for them
A towel, a bowl, a note about the nearest walk and which pubs allow dogs. It costs almost nothing and pet owners are among the most loyal repeat guests.
7. Cover the garden security
Whether it is enclosed, how high the fence is and whether gates latch. This is the first thing a dog owner checks and it decides bookings.
8. Explain the cleaning expectations
Hair removed, no accidents left, and what happens if there is damage. Stated in advance it is reasonable and stated afterwards it is a dispute.
9. State the maximum occupancy plainly
Not the number of beds. The maximum number of people permitted in the property, which may be set by insurance, fire safety or a licence.
10. Define the extra guest charge
What the base rate covers and what an additional person costs. Groups splitting a booking want to do the arithmetic themselves.
11. Cover infants and children in the count
Whether a baby counts toward occupancy, and what is provided. Families need this before booking rather than at the door.
12. Set a visitor policy
Whether day visitors are permitted, how many and whether there is a total limit. Properties with septic systems, parking limits or neighbours need this stated.
13. Say what happens if the policy is breached
Calmly, in the terms. Additional charges, a request to reduce numbers, or in extreme cases the end of the booking.
14. Keep it consistent with the fee structure
Pet and extra guest charges belong in the total shown before booking, as argued in cleaning fee and extra charge questions.
15. Match the property to the party honestly
Whether a property genuinely suits a family or a dog is a suitability question, covered in pet and family suitability enquiries for holiday homes and dog and pet policy questions from campers.
16. Establish it all at enquiry
An assistant that asks the party size, ages, how many pets and what size, then states the rules and the total including every charge, prevents both problems before a deposit is taken. That is the qualifying in qualifying leads automatically, let the chatbot ask the questions. Start at try, see features, and the sector view sits under hotels.