Guests Bringing Pets Without Notice: How to Detect It, What to Charge, and How to Prevent It

Whether you accept pets or not, sooner or later a guest will sneak in a dog (or two) without telling you. And you'll find out by the hair on the sofa, the smell in the room, or a complaint from the neighbor downstairs. Here's how to detect it, what charges to apply, how to act during the stay, and how to safeguard your listing to prevent it from happening again.

Why does this happen (and why it will happen to you)

Many guests assume that "a small dog doesn't count." Others know perfectly well that you don't accept pets and hide it. And some don't even think about it: they travel with their animal as if it were an extra suitcase.

The most common reasons:

• Fear that you'll raise the price or reject the reservation.
• Belief that "it's just a weekend, nothing will happen".
• Lack of knowledge that it must be declared.
• Bad faith, directly.

And beware: this also happens in apartments that accept pets. They reserve for one dog and bring two. Or they bring a "harmless" cat.

Accepting or not accepting pets is a business decision. But knowing how to manage the "stowaway" is an operational necessity. All owners will encounter this.

If you're still unsure whether to open your apartment to pets, take a look at the [pet-friendly tourist rental] guide.

How to detect if a pet has entered without notice

You don't need to be Sherlock. The clues are usually quite obvious if you know where to look.

Signs during the stay

• Neighbor complaints: barking, scratches on the door, smell in the hallway.
• Exterior access cameras (never inside): recording the building entrance or the door is legal if declared. You'll see the dog entering.
• Noise sensors: some detect barking as abnormal peaks. They alert you without listening to anything.
• Unusual water consumption: bathing the dog spikes water usage.

Signs at check-out

Clue	What to look for
Hair	Sofa, carpets, corners, bedding
Odor	Especially on textiles and mattress
Scratches	Doors, frames, furniture legs
Stains	Floors, carpets, wall corners
Food	Crumbs, spilled water, makeshift bowls
Trash	Poop bags, pet food containers
Marks	Hanging leash, footprints, drool on windows

A good check-out protocol helps you detect this systematically and avoid discovering it three reservations later.

What to do if you detect it during the stay

Step by step, without drama:

1. Contact the guest in writing (platform chat, always). "We have received information that there is a pet in the apartment. Can you confirm?".
2. Offer to regularize: if your policy allows, charge the pet-friendly supplement and that's it.
3. If you do not accept pets: remind them of the listing rules, explain that there may be an extra cleaning fee, and ask them to remove it if possible.
4. Document everything: photos, messages, witnesses (neighbors).
5. Do not show up unannounced: do not enter the apartment without permission. If you need to verify, propose a visit and notify in advance.

Expelling a guest mid-stay is complicated and almost always results in you losing with the platform. It’s usually better to charge the supplement and learn.

How much to charge for an undeclared pet

There is no law setting a price here. You decide, and you must state it clearly in your listing and house rules.

Market guidance in Spain:

Concept	Usual range
Declared pet supplement	10-25 euros per night or 30-60 euros per stay
Extra cleaning for hair/odor	40-80 euros
Deep cleaning of textiles	60-120 euros
Damage to furniture or floors	Actual repair cost
Penalty for non-declaration	50-150 euros added

In total, a guest who sneaks in a dog without notice can end up paying between 100 and 300 euros extra if documented properly. And yes, platforms usually support the charge if you have proof and the listing clearly states pets are not allowed.

Without photos, messages, and clear rules published before the reservation, you won't be able to charge anything. Documentation is everything.

To deepen on damage charges, review the damage and deposit management guide.

How to safeguard against it happening again

Most canine stowaways are avoided by being very clear from before the reservation.

In the listing

• "House rules" section with "Pets not allowed" or "Pets under consultation with a supplement of X euros".
• Explicit mention in the description, not just icons.
• If you accept pets: size, number, and breed limits if applicable.

In the message before check-in

A message like:

"Remember that the apartment does not allow pets. If detected, a fee of X euros for extra cleaning and penalty will be applied, without exception. If you're traveling with an animal, please notify us before arrival to evaluate options."

This gives the last chance for honesty and creates written proof.

In the welcome manual

Repeat the rule. Redundancy = protection. See how to set up the welcome manual properly.

In the house

• Declared exterior cameras (never inside).
• Noise sensor in the living room.
• Neighbors informed whom to call if they hear barking.

What the platform says

Each has its own approach:

• Airbnb: if the listing says "no pets," you can claim via AirCover with photos. They usually approve reasonable charges.
• Booking: more complicated. The claim goes against the guest's card, and you must manage it yourself.
• Vrbo: similar to Airbnb, with its own insurance.
• Direct bookings: rely on the deposit. That's why it's good to have one, even if pre-authorization.

In all cases, the formula is the same: documentary proof + clear published rule + proportional charge.

The special case: assistance dogs

Be aware of this. In Spain, assistance dogs (guide, medical alert, autism, etc.) are regulated by regional law and cannot be rejected even if your listing says "no pets."

They are not pets, but working dogs. They come with official documentation and an identification harness. If a guest informs you and provides proof, you cannot charge a supplement or deny access. Rejecting a user with an assistance dog can lead to sanctions.

This is different from an "emotional" dog without official accreditation: that is not regulated the same way, and you can apply your policy.

When it is worth opening up to pets

If it happens often, consider it. Pet-friendly apartments:

• Have less competition (only about 20-25 percent of the market in Spain accepts them).
• Accept longer reservations on average.
• Can charge a fixed supplement.
• Greatly reduce fraud because the guest doesn't have to hide anything.

The cost: more resistant textiles, slightly longer cleanings, and some occasional scratches. But many owners offset this easily with price and occupancy.

How Auto-Registration fits in

One thing that doesn't change: whether with a pet or not, you must register all guests in SES Hospedajes. And even if pets are not registered, you remain responsible for sending the correct data of the people on time.

Auto-Registration handles that part: the guest fills out a form from their mobile before arrival, their data is validated, and it is sent automatically to SES Hospedajes. It costs 1 euro per month per property (less than a coffee) and you forget about paperwork forever. So you can focus on things that do require your attention, like catching the dog that shouldn't be there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I directly charge the deposit if I detect an undeclared pet?

Yes, as long as you have a deposit (or pre-authorization) and it is justified with proof. Send the guest the breakdown with photos before charging. For platform bookings, you need to open a claim with them.

Is it legal to put cameras inside the apartment to detect pets?

No. Cameras inside a rented home are prohibited by the AEPD. You can only have exterior cameras (entrance, hallway) and always declared in the listing.

If the guest denies having a pet but I see hair, what do I do?

Document with dated photos, provide any additional evidence (neighbor messages, exterior recordings), and file the claim. Without proof, it's your word against theirs.

Can I prohibit pets if I live in a building with a communal garden?

Yes. Your admission policy is independent of the building rules. You can accept or reject pets as long as you make it clear in the listing.

How much does accepting pets add to the nightly price?

Between 10 and 20 percent in most areas, plus a stay surcharge. In nature or seaside areas outside high season, it can be even more profitable because it compensates for low occupancy.