Stop Partying in Your Airbnb

We’re many months into a global pandemic (have you heard?) with no end in sight, and while it shouldn’t need to be said, please: stop throwing in-person parties. And definitely don’t throw a party at your rented Airbnb — if you do, you could be banned from booking with the service in the future.

Airbnb has largely prohibited parties since long before COVID-19, placing a ban on “unauthorised” gatherings. Most hosts also disallow events in their house rules. But since the pandemic began, Airbnb has removed the option for listings that explicitly allow parties and events, and the platform has now placed a global ban on parties at all listed properties.

What that means in practice: You won’t be able to book a property to accommodate more than 16 people.

Airbnb’s announcement also states that, “parties are now prohibited on all future bookings.” It doesn’t explicitly ban you from having an unbooked guest or two hanging out in your rental, but notes that Airbnb doesn’t sanction smaller gatherings and will enforce the rules against “groups of any size.”

If you do host a party and you’re reported (by a neighbour, for example), you’ll likely be banned from using Airbnb in the future. The company has also taken legal action against a guest who threw a party in Sacramento earlier this month, and it doesn’t seem hesitant to do so against future violators. Hosts that freely allow large parties may also face consequences.

Basically, don’t be irresponsible. You shouldn’t be throwing or attending large gatherings anywhere right now, and you definitely shouldn’t be clubbing or partying in a rental home. If you’re using Airbnb, book a property that allows the number of guests you expect to join you, and follow the host’s rules.