ORLANDO, Florida. – Seasonal rental giant Airbnb announced it had suspended 40 of its Florida listings as part of a crackdown on party houses amid the coronavirus pandemic.
“Now it’s a real security issue. It really is,” said Ben Breit, spokesperson for the company’s Trust and Safety division.
Breit said the company banned house parties in late 2019, but the pandemic prompted them to impose suspensions on the public.
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He said five Airbnb listings in the Orlando metro area have been suspended, along with a listing in Tavares.
“They’re basically locked out of the platform for any length of time,” Breit said. “Sometimes it’s 30 days, sometimes it’s permanent.”
Airbnb did not reveal the addresses of the suspended listings, so it was not possible for police to say whether they had responded to complaints associated with the parties.
Competitor Vrbo told News 6 that they also have strict house party rules in place.
“Vrbo will prohibit from booking on our website any traveler who breaches their rental agreement by turning a rental into an unauthorized party home and any owner or manager who knowingly authorizes it,” a company spokesperson said. .
“It’s a real responsibility to operate a vacation rental in a neighborhood with people who live on both sides,” Breit said. “The tip is people who are entitled to a quality of life like anyone else.”
Both rental websites state that if you see a renter doing something illegal, call law enforcement.
Each company has its own hotline for neighbors to report house parties.
Click on here for Airbnb and here for Vrbo.
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