Excessive noise is one of the common reasons for Airbnb neighbor complaints, which are more than a headache for hosts and can lead to negative consequences for your STR business. That’s why it’s crucial to avoid Airbnb noise complaints and plan to deal with them when they are about to happen.
So, in this blog, we’ll talk about minimizing the risk of disturbing neighbors, avoiding noise complaints, and ensuring a peaceful and enjoyable stay for everyone.
You may also want to check out our blog article to learn about other common Airbnb problems and find tips on addressing challenging moments as an STR host.
How to Prevent Airbnb Noise Complaints
Owning an Airbnb can be a great way to get extra income. If you automate your hosting routine using vacation rental software like Hospitable, you can manage your STR property hassle-free from anywhere and ensure the perfect guest experience.
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But it’s also important to remember that Airbnb rentals have neighbors who may not always be excited about living near an STR property. When you let guests into your Airbnb property, you can never know how they’ll behave. So there’s always a risk of too much noise, which can lead to neighbors’ complaints.
It’s your responsibility as a host to respect the local community and avoid disturbing neighbors with noise and disruptive gatherings. Here are some proactive steps you can take to avoid any issues and keep your neighbors happy.
Communicate with neighbors
Be honest with your neighbors about your plans to turn your home into an Airbnb before you publish your listing. Explain your measures to ensure your guests are quiet and respectful of community rules.
Tell your neighbors when your guests will stay at your STR property. It’s also important to let your neighbors know how they can contact you if they have any issues during this time. Emphasize that they should reach out to you first before involving local authorities.
Invest in noise-monitoring devices
Preventing noise complaints is easier than dealing with them afterward, so consider installing reliable noise-monitoring devices like Alertify or Minut. These tools allow you to remotely monitor noise levels and occupancy in your short-term rental property and reduce the risk of your guests getting too noisy.
Noise monitors will alert you instantly if they detect noise exceeding a certain threshold so you can contact guests before disturbances escalate. This way, you’ll be able to reduce the likelihood of Airbnb noise complaints.
It’s important to note that noise-monitoring systems are privacy-safe. They only measure the decibel levels of noise and its duration, but they don’t identify specific sounds and don’t record conversations.
That’s why Airbnb allows hosts to install noise decibel monitors in the listing’s interior as long as they comply with the community policies and applicable laws.
- Hosts are allowed to place noise decibel monitors only in common spaces.
- Noise monitoring devices are prohibited in bedrooms, bathrooms, or sleeping areas.
- Hosts must disclose the presence of Airbnb noise monitors in their listing by adding them to Safety devices.
- Hosts are not required to disclose where their noise monitors are located.
Noise monitor data can also help STR hosts provide evidence for disputes with guests and against false noise complaints.
Set clear house rules
Airbnb encourages hosts to clearly explain the expectations they have of their guests on their listing page. Here is what you should do:
- Select No for Parties or Events in your house rules
- Clearly prohibit parties and events in your Airbnb listing description
- Set a maximum number of guests for your rental space
- Specify quiet hours
You should also include the house rules section in your digital guidebook and remind your guests about them in messages you send them before check-in. Although sending messages to each of your guests manually can be very time-consuming, you can automate this aspect of hosting routine using vacation rental software like Hospitable.
Have conversations with your guests even when you sleep
Airbnb Noise Complaint Fine and Other Consequences
When your neighbors are disturbed by loud guests or excessive noise from your Airbnb property, they are likely to complain. They may confront your guests directly and complain to you.
If you don’t address this situation promptly or ignore it, your frustrated neighbors can escalate the matter. They can report the noise issue to Airbnb’s Neighborhood Support team or even involve local authorities.
Airbnb’s Community Disturbance Policy bans disruptive gatherings and disturbances to the surrounding community, including excessive noise. So Airbnb may take steps, including suspending or removing a guest, host, or listing from the Airbnb platform if they fail to comply with this policy.
If your guests break the noise code, your neighbors may even decide to call law enforcement, resulting in a hefty fine for you as the property owner and Airbnb host. Repeat noise complaints may lead to revocation of your short-term rental license.
How to Respond to Airbnb Noise Complaints
What should you do when your neighbor reports a noise issue in your vacation rental? Airbnb emphasizes the importance of good communication between hosts and their neighbors and encourages both parties to get in touch to discuss directly what has happened to resolve any issues that might come up during a stay.
So, you should acknowledge the neighbor’s complaint even if you can’t provide an immediate solution. Let them know that you’re aware of the problem and are working to solve it. Apologize for the inconvenience and explain what specific steps you plan to take to address the situation.
Remember that open communication is crucial to maintaining good relationships with neighbors. Show your neighbor that you’re a responsible host and are willing to find a solution. This can help build trust and prevent further escalation.