Why Owners Consider Allowing Pets
Many New England guests drive to a lake house, ski condo or mountain cabin, and many bring the family dog. A home that welcomes pets shows up when guests filter for them.
The tradeoffs are real:
- Cleaning takes longer. Hair gets into rugs, upholstery, vents and bedding.
- Wear adds up. Scratched floors and doors, chewed furniture, dug-up gardens.
- Allergies matter. The next guest may be allergic, and dander lingers.
- Neighbors notice barking and waste left in the yard.
Pet Fees on Airbnb
As of October 2026, Airbnb's Help Center lets hosts add a pet fee in four ways:
- A flat fee per booking
- A flat fee per night
- A flat fee per pet
- A flat fee per pet per night
Guests can say how many pets (0 to 5) they plan to bring. Airbnb says your pet fee can't be more than your nightly base rate, and the fee is shown as part of the price at checkout.
If a pet causes damage or extra cleaning, Airbnb's host damage protection lists pet accidents among the extra cleaning costs it can reimburse. You first ask the guest to pay, and you must file within 14 days of the guest's checkout. Airbnb says the program "is not insurance."
Pet Fees on Vrbo
On Vrbo, pet fees are set in the owner dashboard under the pricing settings, as one of the "Standard fees" alongside cleaning and extra guest fees. Vrbo says all mandatory fees are shown upfront to travelers. Before you set a pet fee on Vrbo, read Vrbo's current service animal policy in its Help Center, because it governs what you may charge a guest with a service animal.
Service Animals Are Not Pets
This is the rule owners most often get wrong.
Airbnb's Accessibility Policy, as of October 2026, says:
- A service animal is not a pet. It is generally a dog individually trained to do work or perform tasks for a person with a disability.
- Service animals are allowed even in a "no pets" home.
- No fees. A host cannot charge a guest with a service animal a pet fee or a cleaning fee for animal hair or dander.
- Two questions only. A host may ask whether the animal is required because of a disability, and what work or task it has been trained to perform. Hosts should not ask for documentation, ask about the disability, or ask the dog to demonstrate its task.
- Exemptions are rare. Airbnb says it may, in its discretion, grant a host an exemption in certain circumstances if the host contacts it proactively, for example where a service animal would be a direct threat to the health of a host who lives in the listing.
- Damage is still covered. If a service animal damages your property, you can request payment through AirCover.
Emotional support animals are treated differently. Outside the places where law requires accommodation (Airbnb names California, New York, Quebec and Ontario), a host may charge normal pet fees or decline a reservation for an emotional support animal if the home does not accept pets.
Put a short line in your house rules that service animals are always welcome, so guests and your team know the policy.
Cleaning and Allergy Care
A pet-friendly home needs a pet-friendly turnover:
- A vacuum with a HEPA filter and a lint roller in the cleaning kit; vacuum upholstery, mattress edges and under beds, not just floors.
- Washable covers on sofas and chairs, and dog beds or crate blankets the guest can use instead of your furniture.
- Hard floors and washable rugs in the main living areas.
- Extra laundry for throws and dog towels, kept separate from bed linens.
- A pet station by the door: towels for wet paws, waste bags, a bowl and a list of nearby trails and vets.
- Honest listing copy. Say the home allows pets, so allergic guests can choose another place.
Ticks and the Outdoors
New England woods, fields and lake edges are tick country for much of the year. The CDC advises that reducing exposure to ticks is the best defense against tickborne diseases, and that people should examine gear and pets after coming indoors, because ticks can ride into the home on clothing and pets and attach to a person later. A note in your guidebook pointing guests to the CDC advice, and a tick-removal tool in the pet station, is a simple courtesy.
Local Rules Guests Should Know
Give guests the rules that apply near your home. For example, New Hampshire State Parks, as of October 2026, require pets to be on a leash no longer than 6 feet where pets are permitted, and prohibit pets at beaches and designated swim areas from May 1 to September 30. Not every state park allows pets, so link guests to the parks' pet-friendly list. Town beaches, trails and conservation land set their own rules; ask the town or check its website before you write them into your guidebook.
House Rules That Work
- Maximum number of pets, and size or breed limits if you have them (remember, these cannot apply to service animals).
- Pets not left alone in the house, or crated if left alone.
- No pets on beds or furniture, or covers required.
- Waste picked up in the yard and on walks.
- Guests responsible for damage beyond normal wear.
Pet-friendly is one of several amenities covered in best amenities that boost Airbnb bookings in New England.
Is Pet-Friendly Right for Your Home?
It often fits a White Mountains cabin, a lake house with a yard, or a single-family home with hard floors. It is a harder fit for a condo whose association limits pets, a home with light carpets and upholstery, or an owner with allergies who uses the home too. Compare other options on the property types hub.
New England Host Co provides housekeeping and an inspection after every stay at the same visit, which is when pet hair, damage or a missed cleanup gets caught. Start at the owner hub or ask about a specific home on the contact page.
FAQ
How Much Can I Charge as a Pet Fee on Airbnb?
Airbnb lets you set your own pet fee per booking, per night, per pet or per pet per night, but it can't be more than your nightly base rate.
Can I Charge a Pet Fee for a Service Animal?
No. Airbnb does not allow pet fees or cleaning fees for animal hair or dander for guests with service animals, and service animals are allowed even in homes that do not accept pets.
Do I Have to Accept Emotional Support Animals?
On Airbnb, outside California, New York, Quebec and Ontario, a host may charge normal pet fees or decline an emotional support animal if the home does not allow pets. Check Airbnb's current Accessibility Policy before you decide.
Does AirCover Cover Pet Damage?
Airbnb's host damage protection lists pet accidents among the extra cleaning it can reimburse, and covers damage to your home and belongings, subject to its exclusions and a 14-day filing window.
What Should I Tell Guests About Ticks?
Point them to the CDC's advice: limit exposure, and check people, gear and pets after coming indoors.
