Airbnb to Pursue Legal Action Against Cincinnati Party Guest

Airbnb today announced that the company will pursue legal claims and damages against the booking guest who held an unauthorized party on Sunday, August 16 that resulted in a tragic shooting in Cincinnati and serious injuries to a person who works with the Airbnb host. The company notified the guest Friday of its intent to bring legal action, alleging negligence, violation of Airbnb’s Community Standards, and that the guest booked the listing under false pretenses. Airbnb has removed the guest from the platform.

This marks just the second time Airbnb has taken affirmative steps to initiate legal proceedings against a booking guest for throwing an unauthorized party, following a similar action last week in Sacramento, California.

Today’s actions follow Airbnb’s announcement of a global ban on all parties and events at Airbnb listings. As part of that announcement, the company noted “We acknowledge that there will always be those who attempt to break the rules. This is why we’ve implemented steep consequences for hosts or guests who try to skirt them – including bans from our community and even legal action.”

Airbnb is working to provide support to the host after this tragic incident. In addition, Airbnb is committing that it will donate any money recovered through this proceeding to a local Cincinnati non-profit fighting against gun violence.

Airbnb has no tolerance for unauthorized parties, which are expressly banned in its Community Standards. The company recently shared out an initiative that restricts some U.S. guests under the age of 25 from booking entire home listings in their local area. Additionally, the company has expanded its risk detection efforts aimed at stopping unauthorized parties. 

Airbnb also bans “party houses” and has instituted a 24/7 neighborhood support hotline for neighbors to directly communicate concerns and help us enforce that policy.