What are the benefits?

More bookings – there are 10 million households in the UK with a pet dog so demand is great for holiday lets which can accommodate all of the family. The alternative for guests is to put their loved ones in a kennel at significant cost, which has neither emotional or financial appeal.

How many more bookings will it generate?

This varies depending on the property characteristics, but it is possible to achieve 5 to 10 or more bookings more than a similar, non-friendly holiday let. In short accepting pets will bring in income in the shoulder and quieter months of the year, providing a more consistent income for owners.

What about damage?

Owners in the main are responsible and will look after the property during their stay. Cleaning and keeping the property smelling fresh is the main consideration, especially with dog hairs on furniture, carpets and curtains.

Therefore extra cleaning can be required and an extra charge is often applied for pets. Beach Retreats charge £20 per pet per stay which guests are comfortable with.

How can I minimise issues?

A few simple rules can help:
• Pets not to be left in the property alone.
• No pets in the bedrooms or on the furniture.
• Pets should be under control at all times and not disturb neighbours.
• Clean up after your pet, especially around outside areas and gardens.

Of course it is impossible to police these rules; you are reliant on the responsible attitude of owners. The addition of a cautionary deposit can help.

Worth doing?

Over 60% of the Beach Retreats portfolio accept pets and benefit in welcoming more bookings every year. So we always encourage owners to accept pets and maximise their income levels.