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Airbnb Makes Its Party Ban Permanent (cnbc.com) 73

Posted by BeauHD from the dark-ages dept.
Airbnb on Tuesday announced a global ban on parties, following a temporary restriction it put in place two years ago. CNBC reports: The company is permanently banning "disruptive parties and events," which include open-invite gatherings. "Party houses," which people book to throw a large event for just one night, will stay banned as well. Airbnb placed a ban on party houses and rolled out several safety features in 2019 after five people were killed in a shooting at one of its bookings. In 2020, the company instituted a global ban on all parties as the pandemic hit.

Airbnb said that since it implemented its policy in August 2020, it has seen a 44% year-over-year drop in the rate of party reports. "The temporary ban has proved effective, and today we are officially codifying the ban as our policy," the company said in a blog post. Airbnb said guests who attempt to violate its rules will face consequences varying from account suspension to full removal from the platform. In 2021, for example, more than 6,600 guests were suspended from Airbnb for violating its party ban.
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Airbnb Makes Its Party Ban Permanent More

Airbnb Makes Its Party Ban Permanent

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  • Just Parties? (Score:5, Interesting)

    by TechyImmigrant ( 175943 ) on Tuesday June 28, 2022 @10:17PM (#62658604) Homepage Journal

    My wife tried to book an AirBnB for an academic symposium with a bunch of old professors and post grads. Absolutely not allowed. I wouldn't describe it as a party ban. It's an "any gathering" ban.

    • Re: (Score:2, Offtopic)

      by arglebargle_xiv ( 2212710 )
      My friend Vladimir booked a place in Donetsk for a party in late February and AirBnB didn't do anything about it. It's still raging right now AFAIK, although I think it's gotten a bit out of hand.

    • Re: (Score:3)

      by pjt33 ( 739471 )

      BnB is an abbreviation for Bed and Breakfast. Renting places for gatherings would definitely be feature creep. (Also feature creep: the use of the word "symposium" for something which isn't a party).

    • Re:Just Parties? (Score:4, Insightful)

      by fermion ( 181285 ) on Wednesday June 29, 2022 @07:56AM (#62659130) Homepage Journal
      Definite mission creep. These are people who are willing to share their unused space for cash on a short term basis. It is can be cheaper because the renter assumes all the risk. It is not a hotel with staff and contingencies. If something goes wrong, you donâ(TM)t have a place to stay, then all you get, at most, is a refund. I see people get mad online that their cut rate accommodations does not include full customer service and meeting space.

    • Re: (Score:2)

      by mjwx ( 966435 )

      My wife tried to book an AirBnB for an academic symposium with a bunch of old professors and post grads. Absolutely not allowed. I wouldn't describe it as a party ban. It's an "any gathering" ban.

      As it should be.

      AirBNB is not renting out convention centres, it's renting out lodging.

      Face it, we use AirBNB because it's cheaper than a hotel, but it's pretty much the same type of product with a few less frills that we don't need. I like AirBNB because it's easy to find entire apartments in many cities that is a lot cheaper than renting a serviced apartment, but the service is not quite as good).

      With AirBNB, ask yourself "would an ordinary hotel put up with what I'm planning" and if the answer i

    • I think its more that you are not using the space as a lodging (sleeping in it) you are simply using it to host a gathering .

    • Re: (Score:2)

      by dfm3 ( 830843 )

      My wife tried to book an AirBnB for an academic symposium with a bunch of old professors and post grads.

      TBH that sounds like something a party host would say, to try to talk their way into renting my house (I'm a former owner of an anrbnb) so that hey can throw a wild party there. You are probably completely honest about your intent, but I'd be very skeptical and would have turned you down if you gave me that reason.

      • I'm a former owner of an AirBnB too, so I've seen it from both sides. But ours was akin to a hotel room. Not a whole house.

        The host was OK with it - the rooms were big enough to host a few people during the day. My wife asked and explained the use - that's when AirBnB kicked in and said no way.

        Lesson - Don't ask through the AirBnB interface.

  • This is why we can't... (Score:3)

    by terbeaux ( 2579575 ) on Tuesday June 28, 2022 @10:19PM (#62658606)
    This is why we can't have nice things

    • Because people are phy$ically destructive(slam..click)

  • They're violating numerous zoning laws in every city they operate in except a few where they managed to bribe enough politicians to overturn the zoning laws. They're massively driving up the cost of housing and rent and we as a society get nothing out of it except rent-seeking from a handful of upper middle class twats and a whole bunch of mega corporations buying up all the properties.

    I keep saying this and I know it doesn't go over well but if we keep screwing over gen Z to the extent that we're doing
    • >They're violating numerous zoning laws

      By renting out residential properties? How do these zoning laws benefit the community and how is violating them hurting the community?

      >They're massively driving up the cost of housing and rent

      How, other than people choosing to rent out their houses for more money where high rent, short term tenets are available? If it's only that, why should it be forbidden?

      > rent-seeking

      Rent seeking is the practice of standing between two parties in a potential relation
      • Yes, most jurisdictions have laws against short-term rentals. Short-term rentals are much more profitable than long-term rentals. That makes it possible to buy property at a much higher rate and price people out of the market for basic homes.

        And rent seeking is just what it sounds like it means seeking rent. It means trying to get paid for owning things instead of making things or doing useful things. It can be tolerated to a point because there are some cases where rentals are desirable. We are far enoug

        • Re: (Score:3, Insightful)

          by Powercntrl ( 458442 )

          We are far enough path to that point where we're going to start seeing Mass homelessness.

          No, what ends up happening is a greater number of people will just get priced out of the "middle class lifestyle". Taking the bus and living in subsidized apartments will just be the norm for an ever increasing percentage of the population. People aren't going to rise up and revolt, because we've got this great indoctrination program going on where we start telling new citizens right from childhood that it is your own fault if you don't become successful.

          Why do you think there's such a big push from conse

      • The hurt the community because they drive rental AND sales prices up. Because people are buying craploads of real estate specifically for airbnb which in turn creates shortages of available places. This is basic shit here. Again, google something before opening your mouth. You might learn something.
        • How does an undesirable nuisance house in a neighborhood drive up property value? If anything it should lower potential sales due to liability. The only reason its not is because of a market buying homes sight unseen and waiving inspections. Both incredibly stupid things to do. But a rumor of a housing shortage will do that. Demand only exceeded supply after the rumor, and it was driven by fear of not finding a house. We arent going to run out of homes. If you already live in a home, now is not the time to
      • > How do these zoning laws benefit the community and how is violating them hurting the community? You are arguing the wrong point here. Arguing that the law should not exist doesn't give you the right to violate it. Want the laws changed, get enough people to vote for it.

        As for reasons for the laws banning short term rentals, I could come up with a few, but it doesn't matter since in USA any type of businesses can absolutely be banned from an area where residents want it banned. As long as the law is n

      • By RENTING.

        Seriously, how difficult is this to understand?

    • I agree. But greed. The only way to rid ourselves of AirBnB and return the rental market to honest hard working poor is to attack the plaforms technology in such a way that they cannot recover. There is surely a way. The volume and nature of data they have is a huge liability. I say we just take them down ourselves.

    • I keep saying this and I know it doesn't go over well but if we keep screwing over gen Z to the extent that we're doing so well, let's just think about what that's going to mean. They're on to the teeth and we're about to make large swaths of them homeless. That seems like a really really bad idea.

      If that's the case, then subverting zoning laws sounds like a good thing. Homelessness is overwhelmingly caused by high housing prices [twitter.com] which in turn is caused by restrictive zoning laws. [mercatus.org] Maybe we should just get of the zoning laws altogether, not defend them.

      • You have a good point. I've thought about this and it's obvious we are just continuing to make things harder for the poor and are pushing almost everyone in the direction of being poor.
        Where did you live 100 years ago if you were poor? You could live in a crappy apartment in the city, but you'd only do that if you had a job there.
        Otherwise, you'd just build a shack in the woods somewhere and get by on your own, maybe with a small farm and some animals.
        This is impossible now. We've made too many laws to p

    • Re: (Score:2)

      by rea1l1 ( 903073 )

      The problem you are describing is ultimately with zoning laws and permitting in general, not AirBNB. Let people build on property they own at cost if they intend to live in the house and rezone all property along major roadways as multifamily residential. Right now in California it is more expensive to build a house than to buy one.

    • Re: (Score:2)

      by King_TJ ( 85913 )

      I finally tried Airbnb recently, for a weekend trip out of town. I traveled with a couple of friends to visit with other mutual friends and to get a mini vacation out of it.

      The house we booked was perfect for us... We each got our own bedroom and there was a full, and fully stocked kitchen and dining area. They even provided everything needed to grill (except the food) on a back yard BBQ grill, as well as a treadmill in the living room for anyone wanting to use it.

      The owners put out a 3 ring binder full of

    • My brother in Christ restrictive zoneing laws are what is driving up prices.
    • I don't think you understand what rent seeking is. How are AirBnB lessors rent seeking?
  • For your right to party.

  • That's entirely reasonable (Score:5, Interesting)

    by slaker ( 53818 ) on Tuesday June 28, 2022 @11:42PM (#62658712)

    I love Airbnbs because I hate hotels. I don't like the sameness or the emptiness of being in that sort of space. I think it's cool to be in a space where someone lives, but I'm always going to respect that it is their space and not mine.

    That being said, one of my favorite Airbnb adventures was booking one in Chicago's Lakeview (Boystown) neighborhood, where I was supposed to get a $28 bedroom in a large single-family home.

    The owners of the place saw my home address in Indiana and my funny colored hair and left their entire place, which could credibly called "Fuck Palace" empty for my use. They left mid-tier liquor out, told me to take the master bedroom (home to a discreet bowl of condoms and lubricating products) and left a very, very sweet note suggesting that I visit two specific bars down the street and drop their name in the name of a likely good time. I'm not even joking. It was heart-melting.

    I was truly only staying there because I knew I'd be out at a comedy show later than the trains run out to where I actually live and thought the overnight stay in the gayborhood would be a fun novelty, but I've never had anything like that level of "Please have a party, get laid and godspeed" kind of vibe. That couple gave me love and support I never even knew was an option.

    I did not have a party or get laid, 'cause that's just now how I am. I did go to a place known for its brunches the next day though.

    • Did you heck for cameras in the light fixtures and alarm clock? It seems likely, and it's been a big problem at a number of Airbnb sites.

      • Re: (Score:2)

        by slaker ( 53818 )

        Imma go out on a limb and guess that a pair of well preserved 50something physicians who live three blocks from the biggest bathhouse in Chicago PROBABLY have easier ways of getting off than checking out whatever the fuck I might be doing.

    • I love Airbnbs because I hate hotels.

      Staying at someone's house makes me feel obligated to keep things tidy and not disturb anyone by getting up for a Taco Bell run at 1AM. If I'm on vacation, that's not something I want to contend with.

      It's moot though, I'm broke as fuck, so "vacation" isn't in my vocabulary. Plus, I already live near one of the world's most popular tourist destinations, so there's also that.

    • I did not have a party or get laid, 'cause that's just now how I am.

      I hear you bro. I too am perpetually two girls shy of a threesome.

  • BS (Score:3, Interesting)

    by RJFerret ( 1279530 ) on Wednesday June 29, 2022 @12:08AM (#62658750)

    Neighbor house is now AirB&B after retired guy passed away. Winter storm? Out of state folks blocked the street. Plow couldn't get through, took pics. Cops came, made 'em move.

    Snowing, they made a beer run. Blocked driveway of guy across the street so he couldn't snowblow. They didn't answer the door. Cops called.

    They lied to the cops about not knowing whose car their out of state plates belonged to. *rollseyes

    Then in the AM honked horns parading up the street shouting to each other "happy birthday, great party!"

    Neighborhood wrote the owner. Changed his listing.

    I'd estimate every third booking is still a party despite his demand for none and their policy.

    With no way to enforce such, people will keep abusing it.

  • Incredible to think that the solution to stop all these mass shootings was just to ban house parties all along!

  • What is a "party"? Does it require going out of my basement?

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