4/10 Poor
Andrea C.
2 Dec 2024
Liked: Cleanliness
Lovely Home, but Host’s Invasive Behavior Violates Disability Rights
The Whaler’s Cottage is a beautiful and well-maintained property, but our stay was overshadowed by the host’s inappropriate and legally questionable actions. Shortly after our arrival, the host messaged me on the Vrbo app and accused us of sneaking in a pet and then demanded documentation for my service dog after apparently seeing its vest, raising concerns about being watched.
As a person with a disability, I am protected under the ADA, which prohibits such intrusive demands. Service animals are not pets, and hosts cannot require documentation or inquire about the nature of a guest’s disability. The legal consequences for such behavior include fines and potential lawsuits for ADA violations.
A more appropriate approach would have been to ask, “Is the dog a service animal required because of a disability?” and “What task is it trained to perform?” This would have respected my rights while addressing the host’s concerns.
While the home itself is lovely, the host’s invasive behavior made us feel unwelcome and uncomfortable. Until the host demonstrates a better understanding of ADA compliance, I cannot recommend this property.
Andrea C.
Stayed 2 nights in Nov 2024