Airbnb cracks down on parties with New Year’s rule

New rules on who can book holiday homes through Airbnb will affect one cohort in particular under a major change announced today.

Airbnb will prevent rowdy guests from booking houses on New Year’s Eve in a bid to crack down on parties.

The new rule from the holiday rental company will block users without a history of positive reviews from booking a one-night stay on New Year’s.

And even those who are allowed to book will face a ban from the site and potential legal action if they host a party.

That’s defined under the company’s COVID-19 party ban policy as a gathering of over 16 people.

“The vast majority of guests are considerate travellers who are respectful of their hosts’ neighbours, and treat the home in which they’re staying as if it were their own,” Airbnb Australia public policy chief Derek Nolan said.

Anyone who wants to make a New Years Airbnb booking – for example at The Palace on Magnolia guesthouse at Byron Bay, pictured – must have a history of positive reviews.

“These measures are about helping to ensure everyone can safely and responsibly celebrate New Year’s Eve. At the same time, they have been designed to make sure Airbnb guests with a track record of being respectful travellers can enjoy a wide range of options.”

Anyone who has already booked a flat for New Year’s Eve will still be allowed to go through with their stay.

The new rule applies across Australia, as well as in North America, the UK, Spain and France.

It comes as part of a general crackdown on misbehaviour by people who use the site, as the company tries to clean up its image amid moves to begin trading stocks on Wall Street.

The company’s initial public offering is expected to be a blockbuster with a company valuation of nearly $US35 billion.

The global party ban was instituted after an August shooting at an Airbnb party in Sacramento, California.

That incident and a separate shootout at a party in Orinda, California last year left at total of eight people dead.

In October, Airbnb suspended more than 400 Australian listings over allegations of party rule violations.