Airbnb bans parties at all rental properties due to coronavirus pandemic

Airbnb is banning parties and events at all its rental properties across the globe due to the coronavirus pandemic, the company said in an announcement on Thursday.

The vacation rental company said it will also impose an occupancy cap, with no more than 16 guests allowed at a given listing, according to an Aug. 20 news release.

The new policies will be in effect indefinitely, the company said. Those who don’t adhere to the policy may be banned from Airbnb or face legal action.

Airbnb said the change is in response to changing health mandates and regulations on nightlife during the pandemic which have caused some to “take bar and club behavior to homes, sometimes rented through our platform.”

“We think such conduct is incredibly irresponsible – we do not want that type of business, and anyone engaged in or allowing that behavior does not belong on our platform,” the company said.

Airbnb said it will inform guests of the policy and explain that Airbnb may legally pursue those who violate the policy.

“This work is currently being operationalized and will be rolled out in the near future,” Airbnb said.

Airbnb said its new 16-guest occupancy cap shouldn’t be interpreted as the company’s blessing to hold smaller gatherings, but that the cap — aimed at larger properties — is meant “to mitigate any efforts to misuse an Airbnb for a party.”

The company added that it is also considering an exception process for listings that are traditional hospitality venues, such as boutique hotels.

Airbnb said unauthorized parties have always been an issue for those who rent out its properties through the platform, with 73% of Airbnb listings already prohibiting parties through House Rules.

The company tightened its restrictions last year with a global ban on so-called “party houses” and launched a 24/7 support hotline in the U.S. and Canada to connect Airbnb with neighbors near listing locations.

At the onset of the pandemic, the company removed the “event friendly” search filter and struck “parties and events allowed” from the House Rules of listings that allowed events. Airbnb also rolled out a new policy requiring all Airbnb users to follow local COVID-19 health mandates, the company said.

This story was originally published August 20, 2020 at 11:28 AM with the headline "Airbnb bans parties at all rental properties due to coronavirus pandemic."