A pet fee is an additional charge for guests who bring pets to a vacation rental property. It can be structured as a flat fee per stay, a nightly surcharge, or a per-pet charge, and is intended to cover the additional cleaning, wear, and potential damage associated with pet stays. Allowing pets with a fee can significantly expand your potential guest pool, as pet-friendly rentals are in high demand. Many property managers also require a separate pet damage deposit or damage waiver in addition to the pet fee.
Why this matters for property managers
A well-calibrated pet fee covers the extra cleaning and wear that animals bring, protecting margins a standard turnover would not account for. Set it too high and you deter a large, loyal segment of travelers who plan trips around bringing their pets; set it too low and you absorb costs that should sit with the guest. The fee also signals your policy clearly, reducing disputes about what is and is not permitted.
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