Thinking of renting an Airbnb to throw a rager now that bar vibes are down and clubs remain closed? Sorry to be Buzz Killington, but that is no longer an option.
Last week, Airbnb announced a ban on parties. That means exactly what it sounds like: indoor voices at all future bookings. Additionally, occupancy will be capped at 16 guests.
And to show they’re serious, the company threatened anyone who breaks the rules with banishment from the platform and potential legal action.
Airbnb noted that 73 percent of listings already ban parties in their House Rules and that the vast majority of users don’t get too wild. Sometimes things go sideways, of course. And despite taking measures to crack down on party houses, like setting up a hotline for neighbours to narc on violators, we are indeed in special times.
The motivation for the move is the ongoing fluctuations in local COVID-19 regulations.
“In many large jurisdictions, public health mandates on gatherings have changed – and in some places swung back and forth in response to the changing rates of COVID cases – as have regulations on bars, clubs and pubs,” reads a company statement. “Some have chosen to take bar and club behavior to homes, sometimes rented through our platform. We think such conduct is incredibly irresponsible – we do not want that type of business, and anyone engaged in or allowing that behavior does not belong on our platform.”
So there you have it: party at home or don’t party at all.