According to one report, nearly 80% of Americans travel with their pets every year. If you want to attract guests to your Austin, TX home, you might be considering allowing pets in your rental property.
Are there benefits to letting renters bring their four-legged pals into your space? Or, should you exclude the furry travelers from your guest list? There isn't a clear-cut answer, but it does help to know the pros and cons of each option.
Let's check them out.
Pro: You Can Charge More
If you allow pets in your rental rules, you may be able to add an upcharge to your listing. This is a premium service that isn't available in all vacation homes, so guests are usually willing to pay more if it means their pooches or kitties can come along.
Pro: Increase Traction and Visibility
To boost your passive income and keep your calendar full of bookings, you need as many eyes on your listing as possible. If you don't allow pets, then people who filter their search results for pet-friendly spaces won't see your Austin property at all.
Offering this incentive can bring traffic to your listing site and help you reach as many potential renters as possible. This is especially true if your rental is in a city that's known to be especially pet-friendly! If visitors can already take their furballs to parks, bars, and local hangout spots, they'll look for a home that welcomes them, too.
Con: Potential Property Damage
Unless you specify a weight limit, there's no way to guarantee that the only pets in your home will be dainty, low-shedding lap dogs. You could wind up with a Bernedoodle the size of a small pony wreaking havoc in your tiny living room!
From dirty carpets and chewed-up furniture to destroyed landscaping and claw marks on the wall, there are many types of property damage you could experience. Unless you plan on spending a significant amount of money touching up and repairing these spots, you may want to reconsider.
Con: Risk of Injury
If your home is near other vacation rentals, it's important to consider the people living or staying nearby. What if a pet got loose or was allowed to roam free, and ended up harming someone else?
Dogs bite more than 4.5 million people yearly, and even the gentlest breeds can turn temperamental if provoked. These bites can turn into serious injuries, which can lead to expensive doctor's visits and hospital bills. This puts an extra liability on you as the property owner and could be enough to deter you altogether.
Will You Allow Pets in Your Rental Property?
Ultimately, the decision on whether to allow pets in your rental property is a personal one. As you can see, there are benefits and drawbacks to making this decision. Once you've made your choice and you're ready to share your listing with others, let us know!
At PMI Heart of Texas, we can help you automate, manage, and simplify every step of the vacation rental management process. Contact our team today to learn more and get started!
