Airbnb Party Policy: What Hosts Need to Know

In the past, Airbnb properties were a popular option to host parties and events for travelers and local guests. However, in August 2020, Airbnb announced a temporary ban on all parties and events in its listings globally as a public health measure during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The party ban was also effective as a measure to curb unauthorized parties that disturb neighbors and stop chronic party houses. After seeing good results, the company officially codified the party ban as its policy to help support the Airbnb community’s safety.

Read on to learn how their party policy works and what you can do as a host to prevent parties at your short-term rental property.

Complying with the Airbnb community policies and local laws and regulations is a must for every host who wants to be successful on the platform and build a sustainable business. And if you opt for vacation rental software like Hospitable, you can manage your properties more efficiently and save hours every week.

Airbnb Party Policy: How It Works

Both hosts and quests are required to follow Airbnb rules that help ensure safe interactions on the platform and be respectful of local communities. That respect includes avoiding disturbing neighbors with disruptive parties, events, noise, or other behaviors and actions.

Airbnb has a Community Disturbance Policy that bans disruptive parties, open-invite gatherings regardless of size, and other community disturbances (e.g., excessive noise, excessive visitors, etc.) during listing stays or Experiences. Airbnb doesn’t allow the promotion of listings as party- or event-friendly.

Reducing the number of unauthorized parties has long been a priority for Airbnb. That’s why the platform may block certain reservations that its algorithm determines to be at higher risk for unauthorized parties.

Guests who violate the Airbnb party policy can face serious consequences, including suspending or removing their accounts from the Airbnb platform and legal action. Hosts are liable for disruptive social events in their Airbnb properties, and if they fail to comply with the policy, their listings may be removed from the platform.

If a listing is promoted as a party- or event-friendly, Airbnb may suspend the listing until the violating content is removed. They may also ask the host to update their listing and clearly state in the house rules that parties and events are not allowed. If a host has set an unreasonable occupancy for their listings, Airbnb may require them to update the listing’s occupancy to mitigate the risk of disruptive gatherings.

The listing may be permanently removed from the Airbnb platform if it appears to be intended primarily for hosting parties or events (for example, party or event venues) or if it has created a severe or chronic nuisance within a neighborhood.

Airbnb has implemented certain measures to support their efforts to enforce the global ban on disruptive parties and promote responsible travel and hosting. These measures include:

• Using anti-party screening tools to help identify potentially high-risk reservations and prevent those users from taking advantage of the platform;
• A Neighborhood Support Line for local communities to report urgent issues directly to Airbnb, like a party in progress at a home they believe is listed on the platform;
• A 24-hour Safety Line for hosts and guests to directly reach Airbnb’s Safety team for support;
• Launching an online law enforcement portal with a dedicated team where law enforcement officers can submit and track requests for information from Airbnb;
• A partnership with Vrbo to share information on repeat “party house” offenders in the United States.

How Does Airbnb Screen for Potential Party Risk?

Airbnb uses machine learning technology and predictive analytics to assess reservation requests and block bookings that may present a higher party, personal safety, or property damage risk. The automated party risk assessment is based on a wide range of factors, including

• The timing of the reservation;
• Prior reservations;
• The guest’s Airbnb history;
• Listing characteristics (private room vs. entire home);
• Whether a review of recent message thread topics indicates a potential risk.

The Airbnb party risk algorithm prevents potential rule-breakers from booking an entire property. Instead, the guest may be given options to book a single room on listings where hosts are physically present on the site. Then it will be more difficult for guests to start a party without permission.

Reservations may also be flagged for hosts so they can review them and determine whether to accept or deny them. In some cases, the reservation may be reviewed by a human agent using certain tools and processes and with additional assistance from a third-party risk specialist.

Airbnb Party Prevention: Tips for Hosts

While Airbnb takes measures for party prevention to help you feel at ease welcoming guests into your space, there are things you can do to discourage parties at your rental property and reduce some related risks.

Set expectations with guests before they book. Clearly state your house rules for parties, smoking, quiet hours, and noise levels, and show them on your listing. Clarify whether you allow guests who aren’t included in the reservation, especially if your property is big enough to accommodate many people or has a large outdoor area.

Add your house rules to your digital guidebook (you can create them using tools like Touch Stay, DACK, SuiteOp, or Charge Automation) and include a link in your welcome and check-in messages. This way, no guests can claim they didn’t see them.

Guest messaging can be time-consuming, but you can automate it using tools like Hospitable. Our system allows you to set rules and create a personalized message flow for each guest to provide them with the necessary information during all customer journey stages.

Use a noise-monitoring tool that tracks sound levels in real-time. Reliable noise-monitoring devices like Alertify or Minut will alert you if they detect noise that exceeds a certain threshold, so you’ll be able to address it proactively and keep the situation under control.

Airbnb allows hosts to use noise decibel monitors in common spaces but requires disclosing their presence in the listings by adding them as safety devices. But you don’t have to explain where your noise monitor is located. And remember that noise monitors aren’t allowed in bathrooms, bedrooms, and sleeping areas.

Install an outdoor security camera, for example, in your front yard and a doorbell camera that will allow you to monitor your front door. Airbnb allows hosts to have exterior security cameras if they do not monitor areas where guests expect privacy, such as inside an enclosed outdoor shower. However, an updated Airbnb camera policy bans interior security cameras, so you can’t install them in your living room, bedroom, or bathroom.

Remember that hosts must disclose the presence and general location of any outdoor cameras to let guests know what to expect during their stay before they book. Airbnb prohibits hidden security cameras in listings, and penalties for violations may include removing your listing or account.

Ask your neighbors for assistance. Let your neighbors know you’re hosting Airbnb guests and tell them you are against parties and disruption. Give a trusted neighbor your phone number and ask them to call you directly if any unexpected issues arise so you can take action. Having someone to keep an eye on your guests might give you extra peace of mind if a situation escalates.

You may also want to check out our article, which covers the revised Airbnb Major Disruptive Events Policy, to find out how Airbnb handles cancellations when large-scale events occur and prevents reservations from happening or legally prohibits them.