Airbnb is banning some users under 25 from renting entire houses

In a bigger effort to stop guests throwing house parties in properties listed on its platform, Airbnb is banning some users under 25 years old from renting entire houses in their area.

“Reducing the number of unauthorized house parties on Airbnb has always been a priority, and it’s more important now than ever,” the company said in a statement. “With public health mandates in place throughout the country, we’re taking actions to support safe and responsible travel in the United States.”

But that doesn’t mean that under-25s are locked out of staying in Airbnb properties: the restrictions apply only to young guests in the United States who don’t have at least three positive reviews. Private rooms and hotels stays can still be booked in their local area, as well as any type of property located elsewhere in the country or internationally.

Airbnb said that it tested these restrictions in Canada earlier this year and there was a “meaningful drop” in the number of unauthorized house parties. The platform has now moved to expand these rules to the US.

“The overwhelming majority of guests treat Airbnb listings like they’re in their own homes and neighborhoods, and 99.95% of trips on Airbnb have no safety-related issues reported,” the company said. “There will always be people who work to find ways around our trust and safety protections, and we know that people over the age of 24 are perfectly capable of booking a home for the wrong reasons, too. But based on the positive impact this policy has had on unauthorized parties booked by guests under 25, we believe this is the right action to continue to protect the safety of our community.”

Lockdowns are easing globally as the planet adjusts to a new normal. Find out how COVID-19 is changing travel.

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