Good advice from@Helen3and@Mike-And-Jane0. As was mentioned you may NOT charge any fee for a guest bringing a service animal and it's a good idea to thoroughly read through Airbnb's policy on Service Animals and ESAs (Emotional Support Animals). Be very careful when dealing with guests who say they are bringing a service animal and do NOT violate any of Airbnb's requirements. Guests are NOT required to even tell you they are bringing a service animal; they can just show up and tell you their dog is a service animal. Most responsible owners will always inform a Host they are bringing a service animal and legitimate service animals provide vital assistance to their owners and are generally well trained and behaved.
If the guest tells you after booking they are bringing a service animal, you CAN follow Airbnb's policies which allow the host to state the following (should you decide this is your policy). Be sure to document this in a message to the guest (right after booking if possible if they tell you they are bringing a service animal) and include the Airbnb Help Article Link for the guest:
Airbnb's Policies Regarding Service Animals & ESAs
https://www.airbnb.com/help/article/3052
Hosts can have the following retrictions with service animals:
- The service animal may not be left alone in/around the property
- The service animal must be on a leash when outside
- Owners are required to pick up all pet waste
ESAs (Emotional Support Animals)
ESAs are not considered service animals. Per Airbnb policy, you are not required to accept an ESA (Emotional Support Animal) if you don't wish to (except in NY or CA currently). NY & CA do require hosts to accept ESAs. Each state has different requirements regarding ESAs, but currently only NY & CA require Hosts to accept them to my knowledge. You can charge a pet fee for an ESA. Hosts that normally accept pets and charge a pet fee sometimes waive the pet fee for an ESA, but that is up to you.
CAUTIONS:
Never refer to a service animal as a "pet" in any communication; they are not pets
Never use discriminatory language in any communication; written or verbal
