Airbnb has banned house parties at all of its properties worldwide in response to the coronavirus pandemic.

The home sharing platform called the parties “irresponsible” and said house occupancy would be limited, potentially barring some speciality and traditional hospitality venues such as boutique hotels.

“We’re announcing a global ban on all parties and events at Airbnb listings, including a cap on occupancy at 16,” the company said in a statement. “This party ban applies to all future bookings on Airbnb and it will remain in effect indefinitely until further notice.”

It added that public health guidance on gatherings had changed in many countries, along with regulations on bars, clubs and pubs, in line with Covid-19 infection rates.

“Some have chosen to take bar and club behaviour to homes, sometimes rented through our platform,” reads the statement.

“We think such conduct is incredibly irresponsible – we do not want that type of business, and anyone engaged in or allowing that behaviour does not belong on our platform.”

The company acknowledged that some people would always try to break the rules, but that it had introduced “steep consequences” for hosts or guests who ignored the ban, including being barred from the Airbnb community and even legal action.

Airbnb said that, while it has historically allowed hosts to “use their best judgment” and authorise small parties, such as baby showers, more than 70 per cent of its listing already prohibited parties in their house rules.

The platform tightened its own policy last year, globally banning “party homes” that are advertised as party venues and create a persistent nuisance in residential neighbourhoods.

It follows the story of an Airbnb host in the Scottish Highlands who was “shocked” to discover more than 30 men staying at her holiday cottage after she had taken a booking for just seven guests.

Sheri Murphy, 55, was alerted to the situation after a local resident contacted her to say there were 12 cars parked in the driveway.

Sheri and her husband Martin headed to the holiday home in Glen Etive to find tents erected all over the garden, belongings strewn around the house and, most worryingly, a long sword and an axe on the property.

An Airbnb spokesperson told The Independent: “Unauthorised events are banned on Airbnb and we have zero tolerance for violations. We have removed the guest from the platform and are providing our support to the host.”

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