Airbnb released a statement on August 20, 2022, that worldwide prohibition on Airbnb listings hosting parties or gatherings, with a maximum occupancy of 16. This Airbnb 101 topic clarifies that the party ban will permanently affect any subsequent bookings.
Why is this happening?
It has always been against Airbnb policy to allow guests who are not invited. 73% of Airbnb's international listings already have anti-party policies written into their House Rules. Traditionally, Airbnb trusted hosts to use their discretion to allow intimate gatherings. These small gatherings are usually baby showers and birthday parties.
Not-so-new Rules
Airbnb began enforcing far stricter rules last year, starting with a worldwide prohibition on "party houses," or vacation rentals that consistently disrupt the peace in surrounding areas. Airbnb also developed a 24-hour, seven-day-a-week neighborhood assistance hotline in the United States and Canada. International expansion is in the works to facilitate open communication with neighbors and aid in implementing the party house prohibition.
Airbnb disabled the "event-friendly" search filter on the site and took down the "parties and events allowed" sections of the House Rules for all event-friendly rentals. Most significantly, Airbnb implemented a new policy emphasizing adherence to regional COVID-19 public health regulations.
However, public health mandates on gatherings and laws on bars, clubs, and pubs have changed and, in some cases, swung back and forth in many significant jurisdictions, likely in response to the fluctuating incidence of COVID cases. It would be preferable for public health if Airbnb banned all parties and activities worldwide.
What Will Happen Now?
Airbnb has decided to set a maximum occupancy of 16 guests for all Airbnb properties. Any subsequent reservations will be void if a party is planned. The larger residences that Airbnb previously allowed to advertise as sleeping 16+ are the most affected by this change. Airbnb is currently investigating the feasibility of a particular case procedure for non-standard and standard hospitality settings like boutique hotels.
Moving Forward
When an unruly guest makes a ruckus, the host and Airbnb suffer the effects. To better assist the large majority of hosts who have previously banned parties, Airbnb proposes a streamlined, worldwide strategy where neighbors can report disturbances.
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