Many guests travel with their dog. At the coast, in the Westhoek and in the Ardennes, they look for a stay where the animal can come along. They search with intent, because not every home accepts pets.
As an owner, you face a real choice. Pets can mean extra cleaning, hair and damage. They can also attract a wider group of guests. In this article I set out the trade-offs, so that you make a decision that suits your home.
First the question: does your home suit a pet?
Start with the house itself, not with the guest. A home with white sofas, a wooden floor and no fenced garden needs different rules from a house with a tiled floor and an enclosed yard.
Walk through the house and ask yourself a few questions:
- Are the floors easy to clean, or do hair and sand cling everywhere?
- Is there an outdoor space where a dog can be safe without disturbing the neighbours?
- Are there fragile or expensive items you would rather keep away from an animal?
- Does anyone nearby or in the building have an allergy or a fear of dogs?
In an apartment with shared corridors, the neighbours play a bigger role. First check what the building's articles of association or your lease say. In a building with shared rules, you cannot simply allow pets.
The advantages: more demand, often longer stays
If you allow pets, you reach guests who could not book elsewhere. Many people do not want to leave their dog behind and choose a home where it is welcome. That can bring you extra bookings in autumn and winter, when the coast is quieter and walkers plan a trip.
Your listing can benefit too. A clear label that pets are welcome stands out to the guests who look for it. For more on building your offer, read our article on listing titles, descriptions and photos.
The drawbacks: cleaning, smell and damage
The downside is real. Hair settles in the sofa, in the bedding and in the corners of the room. A dog coming back from the beach on a damp day brings sand and water into the house. Sometimes a smell lingers that the next guest notices.
That costs cleaning time, and so money. It is reasonable to ask a fixed fee for it. State it in advance, clearly and without surprises. Anyone who asks for an extra amount only after the stay risks a bad review.
Damage is rarer, but it can happen: scratched doors, chewed furniture, a broken garden fence. Check the home and the garden after every stay. Take photos on arrival and when the cleaners leave. What you can show, you can also discuss.
Set clear rules
A good rule is short, concrete and the same everywhere. Decide in advance and put it in your listing and in your house rules.
Think about these points:
- How many animals are allowed, and what kind?
- Are they allowed on the sofa and in the bedrooms, or not?
- May they be left alone in the home? Many owners ask guests not to do this.
- Must dogs be on a lead in the garden or on the shared drive?
- Who clears up after the animal, and where can that be done?
- What fee applies for the extra cleaning?
Keep your tone positive. "Dogs are welcome, we ask that they do not sleep on the beds" reads differently from "no dogs on the bed, or a fine". For how to word your rules, also read our article on house rules that work.
Take care with assistance dogs. They often fall under different rules from ordinary pets, and platforms have their own guidelines on this. Read the terms of the platform you rent on before you turn a guest away.
Prepare the home
A few small measures make a difference. Put a blanket or an extra cover over the sofa. Place a sturdy mat at the entrance, so that sand and dirt stay there. Provide a spot outside where a dog can drink and where paws can be rinsed.
Consider removing fragile items and clearing low cupboards. A dog on its own can become curious. The fewer temptations, the lower the risk.
In the garden, a good fence is the main investment. Check it before every season. An open gate or a gap in the hedge is an invitation to escape.
Cleaning and changeover after a stay with a pet
After a stay with a pet, the changeover needs more attention. Hair does not disappear with a quick sweep. A thorough vacuum, washing covers and blankets and a check of the corners are all part of it.
That is why a fixed checklist is so useful. Nobody forgets the skirting board, the stairs or the garden furniture. A photo afterwards shows that everything is ready for the next guest. For how to organise the changeover between two guests, read our article on cleaning between guests.
Also think of guests with an allergy. If you allow pets, it is wise to say so in the listing, so that nobody is surprised. A thorough clean helps, but hair can never disappear completely.
Insurance and the legal side
Ask your insurer how damage caused by pets is covered, and whether your policy for tourist rental says anything about it. This differs per contract. What is a small damage for you may be an exception for the insurer.
Also read our article on insuring your holiday home for the questions to ask. For the rules of a building or a municipality, consult the articles of association or your municipality.
What YourDomi can do for you
At YourDomi, our own cleaning team works with a fixed checklist and a photo check, and our guest communication runs in several languages, seven days a week. The rental always stays in your name, so that reviews and reputation remain yours. If you want to know what that means for your home, request a personal proposal.
