Airbnb suspends Palm Springs rentals as part of ‘party house’ crackdown

Airbnbs after being subject to complaints or violations, part of a company move to crack down on what it is calling “party houses,” the Palm Springs Desert Sun, a USA TODAY Network publication, reports.

And Palm Springs is only the latest in a string of crackdowns by the vacation rental company.The action in Palm Springs follows similar crackdowns the company announced in several cities around the country.

More than 65 rentals were suspended in the Bay Area, according to the San Francisco Chronicle. And nearly 80 were stopped from operating in New Orleans, NOLA.com reports, plus nearly 60 across North Carolina, according to a local NBC affiliate.

Listings were also suspended in Austin, Texas, and in several Ohio cities. 

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Back in August, Airbnb announced “a global ban” on parties and events, and capped occupancy at all properties to 16. Though parties were previously prohibited at properties, the company began the ban with a focus on houses that have been a persistent neighborhood nuisance.

And this year, the company is prohibiting guests from making one-night reservations on New Year’s Eve unless they have a history of positive reviews. 

A representative for Airbnb did not immediately respond to questions on whether there would be more party-house suspensions in other cities. The company also declined to share the names or addresses of those who were suspended, citing privacy restrictions.

Summer complaints spiked in Palm Springs 

In Palm Springs, 2020 saw a swell of complaints as travelers descended on the desert and booked stays at short-term rental properties once they were allowed under state-mandated shutdown rules.

In the months of June, July and August, the city issued 157 citations, up from 61 the summer before, while complaint calls soared amid a stay-at-home order that brought more summer travelers who were looking for a change of scene.

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