A family recently stayed at an Airbnb in Dallas, Texas for a business trip. The Airbnb didn’t allow pets unless you paid a fee. One TikToker is now speaking out after what she describes as mistreatment by the Airbnb host. Why? She and her loved ones brought their service dogs with them and believe they were treated unfairly.
Jen (@myricallythefrenchie) states that she dealt with the “worst Airbnb host” as she shows a tour of the Airbnb where she stayed on a business trip. The house looks nice enough, with plenty of rooms and space, and it’s clean. Jen says Airbnb doesn’t require you to list that you’re bringing a service animal. However, when Jen and her family arrived at the home, the Airbnb host messaged them. He told them he didn’t know they had a dog and told them, “Animals aren’t allowed.”
Jen immediately took action and explained to the host that her dog is a service animal. Other family members also have service animals and she didn’t like that they were being questioned over it. The host firmly told her, “You still can’t have the service animals there.” Jen tried to explain that, per the Americans with Disabilities Act, she could have her service animal. The host told her again that the dogs weren’t allowed in his home.
Jen went back and forth with the host over the legality of having her service animal with her. Finally, after explaining ADA laws, the host caved. But he told Jen that if she wanted to stay there with her family and the service animals, they would have to “pay a fee.” Jen wasn’t okay with this. She said it’s against the law for him to ask a fee for a service animal to stay somewhere. It isn’t just a pet situation; it’s a service animal.
Eventually, the host said he would call Airbnb about it and kept “harassing” Jen. Jen also called Airbnb because she felt put off about the entire situation. After she reached out to Airbnb, the host told them he wouldn’t be reaching out anymore. Jen felt highly uncomfortable and decided to do a walk-through video of the home to show that they left it in perfect order. She was afraid he’d retaliate against them for having their service animals.
In the end, Jen said that the host gave them a bad rating for all to see. He allegedly told lies about Jen and her family, even saying they smoked in the home when they didn’t. Jen said it was “never okay” how they were harassed about their disabilities and the fact that they had service animals with them. Now, she says she won’t be “booking with Airbnb” ever again.
The video immediately sparked reactions from viewers. Some viewers took Jen’s side and supported how she was treated. One commenter stated, “Some Airbnb owners are on a power trip. Why work in hospitality if you’re not hospitable?” Another suggested, “I’d sue him.”
Others, however, were not on Jen’s side on this matter, despite ADA laws. One commenter said Jen is “in the wrong” and that the situation “gives entitlement behavior.” Another asked, “Airbnb has an option of pets so why not book the option?” But one commenter answered, “Because you pay more for pets. These are service animals, which is a medical device.” One commenter added, “Some people are SUPER allergic to dogs! Bad on you for not telling them you were bringing them.”
