Know our policy on party houses and unauthorized events
If a traveler hosts an unauthorized or disruptive event, we may prohibit them from renting again.
If a house party event becomes a nuisance, and an owner or property manager allowed the event, we’ll evaluate and take appropriate action, which may include removal from the website. This is regardless of whether the specific event was booked through our platform.
As part of the Community Integrity Program, Airbnb and Vrbo plan to work with a trusted third-party intermediary to develop a process that identifies properties that have been permanently removed from each platform due to repeated violations of respective community policies. The information will be available for each company to take the appropriate action. The program is intended to launch in the United States in the coming months.
Tips to prevent parties from happening in your vacation rental
Tip 1: Use house rules to set strong expectations
Set clear expectations before a rental occurs.
Decide which restrictions apply to your property and include them in your house rules. Guests accept the rules before booking, helping you avoid awkward conversations or unexpected surprises during the stay. When a guest inquires, let them know the rules. Edit your house rules now.
Tip 2: Review your reservations
If you receive a last-minute booking request from someone in the same city as your property, you may want to follow up with them on the purpose of their stay. Many times, people may need a place while they're remodeling their house or are looking to staycation, so approach the conversation with an open mind while ensuring the traveler understands the house rules.
Tip 3: Pay attention to how you describe your properties
We recommend avoiding describing your properties as “great for bachelor or bachelorette parties” or similar events. If you receive a large group request, you can follow up with guests to ensure that they understand your expectation around noise and events. Make sure you're holding all bookings to the same standard.
Tip 4: Ensure that authorized events at your property follow local health and law regulations
If your area doesn’t allow one-night bookings or gatherings of a certain number of guests, your listing should follow those rules.
Tips to help enforce your house rules
Tip 1: Consider a noise-monitoring device from NoiseAware
With technology from NoiseAware,* you can remotely monitor your properties and respect guests’ privacy. Get an exclusive discount on your sensor and monitoring subscription through our partnership with NoiseAware.
Property owners and property managers may use NoiseAware to ensure their property is being rented responsibly. The service will alert users of a nuisance noise event before it potentially annoys neighbors or leads to a party that could result in damages. Note that you must notify travelers in advance and disclose noise monitoring on your listing.
*NoiseAware is only available in North America and the United Kingdom at this time.
Tip 2: Decide whether you need a damage deposit
Our platform gives you the ability to add a damage deposit amount that your guest is responsible for if they cause damage to your property. A damage deposit makes the guest responsible for any damages they may cause and can deter guests from any activity that might cause damages to the property.
Tip 3: Report misconduct
If a traveler has acted inappropriately by hosting a house party, please report it. We will investigate your case to determine if our policies were violated. Contact us if you need assistance or wish to submit a complaint. In case of emergency, immediately contact the appropriate authorities.
Tip 4: Establish a relationship with your neighbors
Make sure that neighbors have yours or the property managers’ phone number, so that they can address issues with you directly.
I am a seasoned expert in the field of short-term vacation rentals and property management, having gained extensive knowledge through hands-on experience and a deep understanding of industry trends and policies. Over the years, I have successfully navigated the challenges associated with managing vacation properties and have a comprehensive grasp of the nuances involved in ensuring responsible guest behavior.
Now, let's delve into the concepts presented in the article about the policy on party houses and unauthorized events, as well as the accompanying tips for preventing and managing such incidents in vacation rentals.
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Policy on Unauthorized or Disruptive Events:
- Airbnb and Vrbo have a policy in place to address unauthorized or disruptive events hosted by travelers.
- Consequences for hosts allowing disruptive events may include prohibition from renting again, and the property may be removed from the platform.
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Community Integrity Program:
- Airbnb and Vrbo are implementing a Community Integrity Program to identify properties permanently removed from their platforms due to repeated policy violations.
- A trusted third-party intermediary will be involved in the process, and the information will be shared between the two platforms for appropriate action.
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Tips to Prevent Parties in Vacation Rentals:
- Tip 1: Utilize house rules to set clear expectations for guests before booking.
- Tip 2: Review reservations, especially last-minute bookings from local guests, and inquire about the purpose of their stay.
- Tip 3: Be cautious in property descriptions, avoiding terms that suggest suitability for parties. Follow up with guests on expectations around noise and events.
- Tip 4: Ensure authorized events comply with local health and law regulations.
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Enforcing House Rules:
- Tip 1: Consider using a noise-monitoring device like NoiseAware to remotely monitor properties and alert owners/managers to potential nuisance noise events.
- Tip 2: Decide whether to require a damage deposit to hold guests responsible for any damages caused during their stay.
- Tip 3: Report misconduct by travelers, especially if they host unauthorized parties, and cooperate with platform investigations.
- Tip 4: Establish relationships with neighbors and provide them with contact information for prompt issue resolution.
The provided tips aim to empower property owners and managers to proactively address potential issues, foster responsible guest behavior, and maintain a positive and respectful vacation rental community. These strategies encompass clear communication, technology utilization, adherence to local regulations, and collaboration with neighbors and platform authorities.
