Having your own apartment and lending it for short-term rent, you can set your own rental conditions. Some owners focus on renting only to people over 18 years of age and to clients on business trips. It is understandable and okay, because someone's property, and someone else's rules. In order not to mislead potential customers by adding a rental offer in a visible place, indicate that you do not accept it stay with children or with pets. However, it should be noted that such an action narrows down the target group very much guests who will be able to rent our apartment. When making such a decision, you must be sure that the selected target group will allow the apartment to be fully occupied.

Good road infrastructure, developed public transport and good material status make that we are very eager to travel around Poland. We love trips to the sea, lake or mountains, or to large, beautiful cities. A very large group of people travel with children. In addition, many families or couples have pets that no one has look after in the absence of the owners. Unfortunately, the lack of consent to come to the apartment with children or pets is excluded a very large group of guests. The landlord has to consider whether he can afford to narrow down such a large group potential customers.

Many people are afraid of renting a flat to guests with small children or pets, because it may lead to damage or faster wear and tear of furniture and items in the apartment. However, there are ways to protect yourself from possible negative effects stay of children and animals.

Why can children be a problem for an apartment owner?

Young children are often unpredictable - you never know how they will act. The parent looks away and the child can suddenly do something. You have to take into account the situation where the child will scratch the wall with crayons or the sofa with felt-tip pens. There may also be a spill of a drink or food contamination on the couch, beds and sheets. Additionally, glasses, plates or decorations in the apartment may be broken. While a broken ornament or glass is a minor problem, but painting the wall can incur considerable costs.

How to protect yourself against damage caused by the presence of children?

• When arranging an apartment, it is worth investing in stain-resistant paints. On the floor, panels will be the best solution - children's carpets can be easily stained. It is also worth buying napkins, tablecloths or bedding made of materials that are easy to wash. You should also buy spare bedding for the apartment.
• When buying equipment for an apartment, it is worth avoiding trinkets or glass decorations that are easy to throw off and break.
• It is worth buying a few toys or games for children so that they have something to do during their stay in the apartment.
• Clear rules should be agreed with the landlords, i.e. the maximum number of children with whom the apartment can be rented.
• You can protect yourself by paying a returnable deposit by the landlords. If, for example, a wall is damaged, it will be possible to charge the costs of painting from the deposit.

Why can pets be a problem for an apartment owner?

Dogs, cats, rabbits, hamsters and guinea pigs go on trips with their owners. Most often they are dogs, because it is difficult to find a person who will take our pet for a walk 3 times a day. The other animals are taken on vacation much less often, because they only require adding food and water change once a day when the owner is away for several days.

When hosting guests with dogs or other pets, you have to take into account that walls, doors and furniture will be scratched. In addition, carpets or floors may become flooded, and the couch or bedding may get dirty. Another downside they can be complaints from neighbors of a dog's howling or squeaking if its owners leave for half a day and leave it in a strange place itself.

Nowadays, people with allergies, including hair allergies, are common. This makes it necessary to clean up even more thoroughly after guests are with pets. However, it is difficult to get rid of hair and allergens from the apartment, so in all of them the apartment rental offer should indicate that pets are allowed. Thanks to this, people with a strong allergy will be able to cancel their stay - it is a better solution than the lack of information and then negative feedback from a guest who struggled with the effects of allergies throughout his stay.

How to protect yourself against damage caused by the presence of animals?

• As in the case of preparing the apartment for the stay of children, in the case of dogs, it is worth investing in stain-resistant materials or paints. The fewer ornaments that can be broken, the better.
• Establishing clear rules with guests:
  Indication of the maximum number of animals with which you can come.
  Determining what animals are accepted. For example: Dogs up to 20 kg in weight and rodents kept only in cages (they cannot be released into the apartment) are accepted. Cats cannot be taken (unfortunately, they can climb onto the furniture when the owner is absent).
  Additional fee for the stay of a pet in the apartment.
• Collecting a deposit against possible damages.

Is it worth taking guests with pets and children?

Definitely yes, because it significantly increases the target group of potential customers. The more people satisfied with the services, the greater the chance of positive opinions on the Internet, recommendations, development and higher earnings. There is always some risk when renting a flat. Not only children and animals can destroy something. Adults who are theoretically responsible and mature can also behave inappropriately and cause great harm.

The most important thing when renting a short-term apartment is to set clear rules and stick to them without deviating from the rule:

• an indication of the maximum number of children allowed in the apartment and, possibly, the preferred age of the children, if it is important for the owner;
• determining what behaviors of children are not accepted, e.g. children cannot write on the walls, table or couch;
• an indication of what animals are allowed in the apartment and the maximum number of animals you can take with you;
• determining which situations are unacceptable, e.g. leaving the belt alone in the apartment for the whole day or releasing rodents from the cage;
• a returnable deposit is charged, from which any costs of repairing the damage will be deducted;
• in the event of leaving the apartment without the presence of the owner (remote accommodation) and leaving behind large damage, photographic documentation will be made to confirm the damage - the landlord will be requested to cover the necessary costs.

Author

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  Izabela Praska

  Editor of Bookable.pl, HoReCa marketing specialist. Specialist in FooDeliver, OrderEngine and Bookable products.