One of the leading homesharing platforms, AirBNB, has announced a global ban on all parties and events at Airbnb listings, including a cap on occupancy at 16. This party ban applies to all future bookings on Airbnb and it will remain in effect indefinitely until further notice.

Unauthorized parties have always been prohibited at Airbnb listings. 73% percent of AirBNB listings globally already ban parties in their House Rules, and the vast majority of our guests behave in manners that show respect for House Rules and for neighbors. AirBNB has historically allowed hosts to use their best judgment and authorize small parties, such as baby showers or birthday parties, if they’re appropriate for their home and their neighborhood. 

Last year, AirBNB began imposing much stricter limits, starting with a global ban on “party houses,” meaning, listings that create persistent neighborhood nuisance. AirBNB also launched a 24/7 neighborhood support hotline in the U.S. and Canada, with plans for global expansion, to communicate directly with neighbors and help effectively enforce the party house ban.

Since the pandemic was declared, and social distancing became an important element in promoting public health and responsible travel, AirBNB updated their policies including the removal both the “event-friendly” search filter from their website as well as “parties and events allowed” House Rules from any event-friendly listings. AirBNB also introduced a new policy requiring all users to adhere to local COVID-19 public health mandates.

However, in many large jurisdictions, public health mandates on gatherings have changed in response to the changing rates of COVID cases. Some have chosen to take bar and club behavior to homes, sometimes rented through AirBNB’s platform. AirBNB has tagged the conduct is incredibly irresponsible and has chosen that they do not want that type of business, and anyone engaged in or allowing that behavior, on their platform. Based on these developments, AirBNB feels that instituting a global ban on parties and events is in the best interest of public health.