Airbnb Makes Its Ban on Parties Permanent

By Will Feuer

Airbnb Inc. has made its global ban on all parties and events in listings on its home-rental platform permanent.

The company used to allow hosts to decide whether to allow parties and events at their properties, but started to prohibit open-invite parties at listed properties and so-called party houses in late 2019. That ban came after a series of violent incidents that occurred at parties in Airbnb-listed properties.

Then, once the pandemic hit, Airbnb saw people move more party behavior to rented homes amid the closure of bars and clubs, the company said Tuesday.

"This was concerning to us due to both the disruptive nature of unauthorized parties and the risk of such gatherings spreading the virus," Airbnb said in a statement. In August 2020, Airbnb rolled out a temporary ban on all parties and events at listed properties.

"Over time, the party ban became much more than a public health measure. It developed into a bedrock community policy to support our hosts and their neighbors," Airbnb said Tuesday. "As we build on this momentum, we believe the time is right to codify this policy."

The company said its August 2020 temporary ban included a 16-person occupancy cap, which will be eliminated as part of the codification of the policy.

Airbnb said it is still considering a potential exception process for specialty and traditional hospitality venues.

Write to Will Feuer at [e-mail]

(END) Dow Jones Newswires

June 28, 2022 09:32 ET (13:32 GMT)

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