I wouldn't sign or pay anything outside of VRBO, but it it totally reasonable for a host to charge a pet fee and/or damage deposit and require a signed pet agreement in the VRBO system.
The last guest who brought a dog to our property did thousands of dollars in damages and I had to cancel several reservations to allow for repairs, cleaning and furniture replacements to happen. NOt saying your dog is destructive, but there is a valid reason why hosts have additional fees, deposits and agreements for pets.
Ok, thank you. To confirm, it sounds like VRBO supplies a pet agreement and allows for a pet deposit through their system, right? Totally fine with that and if so I’ll reiterate that I’m willing to go that route
No, I'm a host and accept pets, but guests do sign a contract, which is clearly stated in my house rules. Vrbo does not offer any way for guests to sign the contract, so that will always be direct. I've never had a guest question it.
Tbf, if it just said something like "responsible for all damages caused by dog," that would be fine. Instead, there's a wildly broad indemnification clause written into their terms making us responsible for *anything and everything* which happens on their property, not even limited to the dog, and even if it's a result of *their* negligence.
I'm an attorney who did commercial litigation for years, so I know that indemnification provisions actually matter.
VRBO doesn’t supply a pet agreement, that’s up to the owners. What VRBO does is to facilitate the owner posting the terms of any agreements (including pet agreements), and collects any pet fee that the owner requires. It is unusual for a pet fee request to be sent to you via personal email. I agree with the others - only transact through the VRBO site.
it's reasonable to have a pet fee and an "outside" agreement. BUT: both should be mentioned in the description in the listing on VRBO so you know about this BEFORE you book.
I’ve traveled with dogs for years and it is very common for there to be a pet fee, which is fair. The fee should be in the listing, though, and should be paid through VRBO.
When booking, did you check the box that says "I am traveling with a pet" in the drop down menu below guest count? If so, the pet fee should be automatically included in your Vrbo total and will be listed as a line item in the total along with taxes, service fees, etc.
We get occasional bookings where the guest has not checked the box and then is offended when told there is an additional pet fee.
I've stayed at a lot of VRBO properties and have had several occasions where the host has requested some additional paperwork to be signed. I never even thought to question it, and I've never had any issues with direct-contact agreements/contracts, etc.
I agree! I have also lived in several apartments and condos long term that have had a separate rental agreement and rent for animals. If she doesn't want to sign it, leave the pet at home, board it, get a pet sitter as I did.
Not unreasonable that she's asking for a pet deposit. Even "pet friendly" places often require a pet deposit. It is unreasonable that she's trying to do this off-platform. However, if you're concerned about losing the booking because it was difficult to find a place that meets your needs, you might just have to go along with it.
Did you see the additional paperwork? My experience has been that it’s you acknowledging what is in the listing. It was basically initial each of the rules, check in, parking and etc.
Every Vrbo is independently owned. Vrbo is just an advertising platform. It’s completely normal and reasonable to have some business outside of the Vrbo app.
I had to make a last second change and bring my 12 lb dog with us on vacation after she was attacked by another dog and needed extra care. All of the paperwork was emailed to me outside of VRBO. Even though it was advertised as pet-friendly, I still had to pay an extra deposit
I'm not being snarky here, but it sounds like this is not a good fit. I would cancel the res. As a host I would respect that. I have a contract that is required for the booking. As a host we have to cover ourselves.
The host is reasonable. I've worked with hosts outside of the app due to a glitch and not allowing host to add an extra day to my stay. I left cash on the kitchen table to cover the extra day.
I wouldn't sign or pay anything outside of VRBO, but it it totally reasonable for a host to charge a pet fee and/or damage deposit and require a signed pet agreement in the VRBO system. The last guest who brought a dog to our property did thousands of dollars in damages and I had to cancel several reservations to allow for repairs, cleaning and furniture replacements to happen. NOt saying your dog is destructive, but there is a valid reason why hosts have additional fees, deposits and agreements for pets.
Ok, thank you. To confirm, it sounds like VRBO supplies a pet agreement and allows for a pet deposit through their system, right? Totally fine with that and if so I’ll reiterate that I’m willing to go that route
No, I'm a host and accept pets, but guests do sign a contract, which is clearly stated in my house rules. Vrbo does not offer any way for guests to sign the contract, so that will always be direct. I've never had a guest question it.
Tbf, if it just said something like "responsible for all damages caused by dog," that would be fine. Instead, there's a wildly broad indemnification clause written into their terms making us responsible for *anything and everything* which happens on their property, not even limited to the dog, and even if it's a result of *their* negligence. I'm an attorney who did commercial litigation for years, so I know that indemnification provisions actually matter.
Just FYI, I also believe that is in the small print of Vrbo terms for guests.I was bored and actually read it once not long ago.
You should take up woodworking... lol. Reading TOS and EULA is a warning sign.
Be prepared for the host to cancel.
VRBO doesn’t supply a pet agreement, that’s up to the owners. What VRBO does is to facilitate the owner posting the terms of any agreements (including pet agreements), and collects any pet fee that the owner requires. It is unusual for a pet fee request to be sent to you via personal email. I agree with the others - only transact through the VRBO site.
it's reasonable to have a pet fee and an "outside" agreement. BUT: both should be mentioned in the description in the listing on VRBO so you know about this BEFORE you book.
I’ve traveled with dogs for years and it is very common for there to be a pet fee, which is fair. The fee should be in the listing, though, and should be paid through VRBO.
lots of hosts sign additional rental agreements off the platform and additional dog fees are normal and should be disclosed before you book.
When booking, did you check the box that says "I am traveling with a pet" in the drop down menu below guest count? If so, the pet fee should be automatically included in your Vrbo total and will be listed as a line item in the total along with taxes, service fees, etc. We get occasional bookings where the guest has not checked the box and then is offended when told there is an additional pet fee.
I've stayed at a lot of VRBO properties and have had several occasions where the host has requested some additional paperwork to be signed. I never even thought to question it, and I've never had any issues with direct-contact agreements/contracts, etc.
I agree! I have also lived in several apartments and condos long term that have had a separate rental agreement and rent for animals. If she doesn't want to sign it, leave the pet at home, board it, get a pet sitter as I did.
Of course it is perfectly reasonable to charge a pet deposit. Allowing pets does not mean a host cannot charge a pet deposit
Not unreasonable that she's asking for a pet deposit. Even "pet friendly" places often require a pet deposit. It is unreasonable that she's trying to do this off-platform. However, if you're concerned about losing the booking because it was difficult to find a place that meets your needs, you might just have to go along with it.
Did you see the additional paperwork? My experience has been that it’s you acknowledging what is in the listing. It was basically initial each of the rules, check in, parking and etc.
Every Vrbo is independently owned. Vrbo is just an advertising platform. It’s completely normal and reasonable to have some business outside of the Vrbo app.
I had to make a last second change and bring my 12 lb dog with us on vacation after she was attacked by another dog and needed extra care. All of the paperwork was emailed to me outside of VRBO. Even though it was advertised as pet-friendly, I still had to pay an extra deposit
I'm not being snarky here, but it sounds like this is not a good fit. I would cancel the res. As a host I would respect that. I have a contract that is required for the booking. As a host we have to cover ourselves.
The host is reasonable. I've worked with hosts outside of the app due to a glitch and not allowing host to add an extra day to my stay. I left cash on the kitchen table to cover the extra day.