Take the lead
Last Updated on May 20, 2022 by admin
A guide to welcoming guests with assistance dogs to your self-catering holiday home
Are you aware that there are over 6500 registered assistance dog users in the UK who rely on their trusted companion to carry out practical tasks and support their independence? As a self-catering holiday home owner it’s important that you keep yourself informed of the legislation which impacts on your letting business. To help you understand the rights of guests with assistance dogs, The Equality and Human Rights Commission and VisitEngland have produced an informative publication entitled: Take the lead to your self-catering holiday home.
This useful guide aimed at all tourism businesses including accommodation providers covers topics such as:
- What is an assistance dog?
- Why you should welcome owners with assistance dogs at your furnished holiday letting property
- Your legal obligations under the Equality Act 2010 to allow disabled people with assistance dogs to stay at your holiday home
Dog friendly holiday cottages
Whilst many holiday home owners already market their letting properties and cottages as dog friendly whilst a few also choose for many reasons not to accept pets, clearly every owner must take reasonable steps to accept guests with assistance dogs. Assistance dogs are highly trained and very unlikely to cause any damage to your holiday home, in any event quality holiday home insurance with accidental damage will give you peace of mind that most situations are covered.
A pdf copy of the guide is available to download here: A guide to welcoming customers with assistance dogs
Boshers are specialist providers of insurance to holiday homes and cottages. For more information on how a specialist insurer can help and support your holiday home please give us a call on 01237 429444.
All animals (including people of course) shed hair and scurf wherever they go. I do not accept any pets in my self-catering because doing so for one guest makes my house impossible for another who has a dog allergy or some other reaction to pet traces. Who then is being discriminated against? Those with assistance dogs can choose a pet-friendly place, while those with allergies to pets will be able to choose a pet-free place.
Thank you for your comments. We believe the information in the publication `Take the Lead’ contains useful information which may help prevent owners inadvertently falling foul of the law and in particular the Equality Act 2010. It states that assistant dogs are not pets and people with disabilities have a right not to be discriminated against. You are encouraged to take reasonable steps to cater for them.