Is this your first time using Airbnb? Please don’t consider this one experience as representative of Airbnb. I didn’t know that an Airbnb can rent to two different guests in the same unit at the same time. Typically, you either rent the whole house/apartment, or a room within one (where the owner also lives), or a shared room.
I first used Airbnb about five years ago as a guest and have been a guest about 8 times, both in the US and abroad. All but one time, I have rented the entire apartment.
However, I am also an Airbnb host, and have been for over two years. I rent out a room and bathroom within the apartment I live in. I have had over 100 guests from all over the world. I have never had any problems of significance. I don’ have pets.
I think in your case, you went into a situation where two different renters are renting in a unit where the owner isn’t present, and one of the other renters has dogs. But you did know that going into it and so I am not sure what recourse you have. You could try to have an agreement with the other renters that the dogs be confined to the room in which they sleep, rather than the common spaces, especially when the dog owners are not in. I would not have done the situation you did.
I’m only posting in case this is your first and only Airbnb experience, because I want to say it is atypical and I would not give up on Airbnb because of it.
I agree to also read reviews. I am a Superhost on Airbnb, which requires a very high standard I must meet over time in various categories, including the reviews. You could limit your search by reviews or even choose hosts with Superhost status, as well as only rent units where the owner is there, or else the entire unit, rather than share the unit with other random guests or especially pets of guests.
Two months ago the service puppy we are raising was bit by a pit bull while I was walking her. Its owner asked if I would stop so he could say hi, and it was someone I know and his dog was behind a closed door. But the dog must have felt territorial, and it was able to push the door open to get to my puppy who was near the sidewalk.
So I would also be cautious about any bigger, stronger type of dog even if it were closed in a room.
My mom’s cockapoo is the sweetest ball of fluff around, but it can get weirdly territorial and a little scary if I stop by when my mom’s not around. So I don’t really like the idea of being left alone with a stranger’s dogs when there’s a chance the dogs might see the Air B n B as their turf to defend.
Once again, it’s the dog (and actually, their owner)- not the breed. Especially since “pit bull” is an all-encompassing term for at least 3 or 4 different breeds. And even more specifically, in the news, “pit bulls” that have caused deaths actually come from over THIRTY different breeds. Routinely, any dog with a square-ish face is labeled a pit, especially when aggressive.
Again, I agree that I wouldn’t want to room with some random person’s dogs. But let’s not continue to demonize an already routinely under-adopted, over-killed set of dogs
Hell, even “large dogs” can be a better descriptor as yes, large dogs can cause more damage than a chihuahua (the dog breed that bites, statistically, the most).
Pit Bulls, as a breed, are disproportionately aggressive which is why they are not permitted under many property insurance policies. Defend them all you want, but it’s a fact.
I also wouldn’t want to come “home” to a stranger’s dogs. So I get that. I’d definitely want to have a way to contact the other renter in case of issues with the dogs.
As a dog owner, I also wouldn’t want to leave my dogs in a situation like this either. I rarely travel with my dogs because they’re big so it’s hard to do. But i wouldn’t want them to have unknown people sharing our space. It’s already stressful for them getting used to a new space. FWIW, my spaniel mix would be way more stressed by this sort of thing than my pit. She’s also barky and annoying at times.
I do find the whole setup kind of odd.
But it sound like the guy with dogs will be leaving tomorrow so hopefully things will go smoothly until then.
I’d make sure the airbnb owner knew this guy lied about the dogs. If I was an owner I’d certainly want to know if a renter misrepresented that.
Good point, musicians. I would never leave my dog in a house with random strangers. Humans are too violent and unpredictable. Never know when one might snap.
I also wonder if this host would rent to more than one person with dogs. Having strange dogs sharing space could cause issues as well.
If I had rental property of any sort, I’d like to allow pets if it was feasible. But this doesn’t sound like a great setup for it. As described, if I were the property owner I’d probably only allow pets if someone rented the whole property.
Cities can ban “pit bulls” all they want, but since it’s not a breed, and dogs who are labeled that can be entirely genetically distinct, I’d like to know what the basis if such a law could be.
I am absolutely correct. What I said was that many insurance policies prohibit that “breed” when writing coverage. I did not opine about the actual nature of the ‘breed”, although there iare plenty that have beeen bred and trained to be aggressive. My husband was bitten in our neighborhood by a rescued pit bull who was a family pet when it got out of its yard and came after our elderly Golden. Iron Maiden- try reading posts a little more carefully. It’s helpful.
A 7 year old boy was killed by a pit bull in MA a month ago. A man died on 2 nights ago, Thanksgiving, in Philly after being attacked by pit bulls.
Pit bulls may be comprised of a handful of specific breeds but that doesn’t change the fact that a) these breeds have a history of being bred for “bullying” and attack purposes and b) they are muscular with powerful jaws so are more likely to wreak havoc when they do attack. If some chihuahua attacks you, you can dropkick it over a fence. Being attacked by a American Pit Bull Terrier, American Staffordshire Terrier, American Bully, or a Staffordshire Bull Terrier, you stand much, much greater risk of injury.
I have used AirB&B several times and have never shared an apartment (or house). I don’t think I would share a space with another guest, especially if the owner was not present.
"Cities can ban “pit bulls” all they want, but since it’s not a breed, and dogs who are labeled that can be entirely genetically distinct, I’d like to know what the basis if such a law could be. "
If you are asking why they ban them, there were several attacks leading to deaths in the city and surrounding cities.
My H has always preferred hotels over other types of lodging (he prefers their locations and having a general idea of what hotels are like). We have stayed in a number of hotels that have kitchens and suites and are often quite reasonable (residence inn, Hampton inn, and others). Often when we are going to a medical appointment (or having a visit due to someone else’s appointment), we can get a list of lodging recommended by the medical facility. The listings we have gotten generally have a range of lodging, including several that are reasonably-priced and include kitchen facilities (fridge, microwave and sometimes stove as well). The price ranges go from more modest to more luxurious and are often better than anything I can book independently. It may be something to consider for future reference.
I’ve always been on the fence about AirBnB–have read/heard great things and others that are not as great. Same with VRBO. I guess everyone has different experiences.
