Airbnb Bans Parties in Properties

Airbnb Bans Parties in Properties

Airbnb has banned house parties as part of its efforts to comply with limits on gatherings in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic.

Occupancy will be limited to 16 people, with a few exceptions for some venues.

Airbnb is prepping to file for an IPO according to reports.

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The company was founded by Brian Joseph Chesky and Joe Gebbia — the two met as undergrads at RISD. The two billionaires are poised for far greater wealth.

According to the Wall Street Journal, “The company plans to file IPO paperwork with the Securities and Exchange Commission later this month, laying the groundwork for a potential listing before the end of the year, according to people familiar with the matter. Morgan Stanley has been tapped to lead the offering, with Goldman Sachs Group Inc.also playing a key role, the people said."

The company has been hit hard by the coronavirus. The company has laid off more than 2,000 workers.

In England, lockdown parties hosted in Airbnb properties led the UK's Bed and Breakfast Association to warn it was putting communities at risk, reports the BBC.

The company says it will pursue legal action if guests or hosts break the rules.

"Instituting a global ban on parties and events is in the best interest of public health," Airbnb said in a statement.

It added that 73% of its listings explicitly banned parties but some hosts allowed small parties such as baby showers or birthday celebrations.

Airbnb acknowledged that some of its guests had chosen to "take bar and club behavior to homes sometimes rented through our platforms".

"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," it said.