The owner was suspicious of a one-night
rental on Halloween and before agreeing
reminded the renter that no parties were
allowed. More than 100 people had gathered
for the party, police said.
House parties have long been an issue for
Airbnb, which has more than 6 million
listings worldwide.
In 2018, the company permanently banned a
guest who crammed more than 250 people
into an Airbnb rental in Seven Hills, Ohio, for an
unauthorized New Year’s party while his host
hid in a bedroom.
In July, two people were killed during a party
at an Airbnb in Pittsburgh.
Jessica Black is a lawyer and founder of Moms
Against STRs, which pushes for local regulation
of short-term rentals in Texas. Black said U.S.
media reports have documented at least 30
shootings at Airbnb rentals since May.
In Black’s neighborhood, an Airbnb rental
was taken over by a film crew that was
shooting an unauthorized movie. She’s also
concerned that a sex offender could stay in a
rental home without neighbors being alerted.
Black said she’s glad Airbnb is addressing the
issue, but she’s skeptical. She doesn’t think
Airbnb has a good track record of enforcing its
own policies.
“Is this about them trying to put lipstick on
the pig for the IPO?” Black said.
Airbnb plans to have an initial public offering
next year.