To some, holidays mean relaxation, sightseeing and being transported to a land far far away. But to others (read: us) it means party time.
While we’re all for a good time, we strongly believe in respectful partying so that no property owners are left to pick up the (damaged) pieces of our fun. Plus the last thing we want is peeved neighbours that are complaining to the host about us.
Airbnb recently updated their party policy, so we wanted to do a deep dive into the rules to ensure that both hosts and partiers know their rights so that everyone is on the same page.
The Facts
In August 2020, Airbnb announced a temporary ban on all parties and events, in all property listings, globally due to the pandemic. At that time, they also launched their Neighbourhood Support Line in several regions, which was a direct line for neighbours to ring up and flag any concerns or disruptions.
Fast forward two years to June 2022, Airbnb declared that the temporary ban was a success and was effective in reducing hosting issues, therefore they were officially codifying the ban as policy. Sorry Van Wilder, your party liaison days are done.
To support the change in policy, Airbnb released statistics that claimed there was a direct correlation between the implementation of their party ban trial and a 44% year-over-year drop in the rate of party reports. That’s some big stats!
They noted that the ban had been well received by their Host community and that they had also received positive feedback about the changes from community leaders and elected officials. Round of applause to Airbnb!
Initially, the no party rule was designed as a public health measure in response to the Covid-19 pandemic and managing the restrictions on occupancy regarding the number of people allowed indoors.
Over time though, the party ban evolved and proved to be an effective tool for wider community service, with prolonged enforcement of the ban designed to “avoid disturbing [property] neighbours with disruptive parties, events, noise, or other disruptive behaviours and actions and to deter Hosts who do not operate responsibly, or guests who attempt to throw unauthorised parties.”
This new ‘no-party’ policy is now an important part of Airbnb standard practice that both hosts and guests should be aware of that will come with ‘strong enforcement’ by Airbnb management.
Here are some key things to know about the rule, whether you’re a guest ready to get your groove on, or a host hoping for a peaceful property:
- What is the "no-party" rule?
The "no-party" rule is a policy that Airbnb hosts are required to enforce in their listings, so be prepared for the chat. The policy prohibits all parties and events in Airbnb rental properties, and hosts are expected to communicate this rule to their guests prior to their arrival.
- What does Airbnb consider a "party"?
Airbnb defines a party as any gathering of people that is not authorised by the host and exceeds the stated occupancy limit of the rental property. This can include loud music, excessive noise, and other disruptive behaviour that offends the host or neighbours.
- What are the consequences of violating the "no-party" rule?
If Airbnb were a character in a film, in this instance, it’s Gretchen Wieners from Mean Girls “You can’t sit with us!” If a guest violates the ‘no-party’ rule, they may be subject to penalties such as fines, account suspension, or worse, removal from the Airbnb platform. In some cases, the host may also be held responsible for any damages or disturbances caused by their guests - which just isn’t fair on the home owner.
- How can hosts enforce the ‘no-party’ rule?
Hosts can enforce the ‘no-party’ rule by clearly communicating the policy to their guests and monitoring their rental property for any signs of unauthorised parties or events - we suggest the helpful range of Cappsule products to assist with this. Hosts can also set clear expectations and boundaries for their guests, such as noise curfews or limitations on the number of visitors allowed in the rental property.
- How can guests ensure they follow the ‘no-party’ rule?
Guests can ensure they follow the ‘no-party’ rule by reading and understanding the listing details and house rules before booking the property. They should also respect the host's property and their neighbours by refraining from hosting any unauthorised gatherings or events. If they are unsure about what is or isn't allowed, they can always contact the host for clarification.
While it’s easy to get carried away on holidays, unapproved house parties in someone else's home is not in the community spirit of interacting with the shared economy and your best bet is to check with the host before planning your soiree, or heading out to the bars and clubs for a dose of nightlife on your next holiday.
