Airbnb’s social media bid to curb short lets anti-social behaviour

Airbnb is undertaking a widespread social media campaign in the UK about its attempts to crack down on anti-social behaviour and parties.

The campaign is existing now - it is common to see ‘promoted’ tweets on Twitter claiming “New Airbnb pilot to tackle anti-social behaviour will prevent bookings from some under 25s.” 

The story to which it links dates back to August and says that Airbnb will restrict certain bookings by UK guests under the age of 25 for entire home listings in their local area.

This follows similar pilot exercises in the US and Canada which apparently cut the number of unauthorised parties being held at that time in Airbnb properties.

“The restriction is intended to protect local communities while still allowing younger guests to book listings outside of their local area” says Airbnb.

The new process means that UK individuals under the age of 25 with fewer than three positive reviews are not able to book entire homes close to where they live. However, they can still book any property outside their local area.

And in any case, anyone under the age of 25 is still free to book private rooms and hotel rooms through Airbnb, regardless of where they live.  

“Most importantly, younger guests with at least three positive reviews and no negative reviews on Airbnb or with long-term plans are not subject to this restriction, and they’re welcome to continue to book entire home listings in their local area” says the company.

The platform says that in 2019 it banned all unauthorised parties and events on its listings and has since temporarily disabled its “event-friendly” search filter. 

“We want to do everything we can to be good partners to the communities where hosts live and we hope that our new restriction will make it abundantly clear that there is no home for any unauthorised parties on Airbnb” says Airbnb director of public policy Patrick Robinson.