@Janine384 @Caroline2071
Janine this is where Airbnb are possibly treading on thin ice. They state in their terms of service they are going to offer protection for what they classify as banned or non sanctioned activity.....and they currently have a party ban which, on the surface tend to give hosts some form of protection.
Here is what they are telling us.
Keep in mind these are screenshots from stated Airbnb policy......
"Guests will be reminded of of our updated Parties and Events policy before they leave for their trip"
So, if the guest holds a party he/she has contravened Airbnb's party policy!
"Airbnb will take action against guests who violate our policies"
And what is that policy when it comes to parties?
Looks like we are pretty well covered, doesn't it!
But, words are cheap and where it starts to unravel, if the host gets an inkling a party is going to happen, he can cancel without penalty but, that cancellation will be regarded as one of his 3 penalty free cancellations for the year. If it falls outside the 3 free per year the host has to plead through 'extenuating circumstances' in order to cancel penalty free!!!!!
Cu'mon Airbnb, either you have a party ban policy or you don't......which is it!
For trying to prevent his property from being turned upside down the host is being penalised and forced to justify his reason for not accepting this booking he suspects will be a "Party" reservation!
Airbnb should justify why this guest is not a risk......not the other way around, after all Airbnb wants the reservation to proceed and they are the ones introducing the risk!
Moving on.......So, the host is unaware that a party is to take place in his property until it is too late! He tries to get support but, is simply told to sort it out with his neighbours (yeah, that's what the guidelines say) who are at this point annoyed that Airbnb have allowed this to happen! All the hapless host can do is pick up the pieces when the partygoers leave.....cannot even get support to charge up to those extra 15 guests who invaded the hosts space that Airbnb allows under the 'no party' policy.
Then comes the claim process, God how much of this have we seen over the years.
Here is what the host is protected for......once again, Airbnb's words, not mine!
Does any of this sound like the treatment and support you have received @Janine384 ?
My issue with this whole party ban/compensation thing is, it is so full of holes, exclusions, exceptions it is totally meaningless. All it is doing is deceiving hosts!
Airbnb have to either man up and protect hosts from guests they are so desperate to place for their service fee that they will penalise hosts for not accepting, or they need to get rid of all this 'protection' stuff they claim to offer but, since 2015 have found a way of walking away from!
This is from Jan 2016.........
But what has changed? this could just as easily been from yesterday, as it was in your post @Caroline2071! It's only matter of time before some legal eagle takes Airbnb to task for what they say they are offering and what they do actually offer!
Good luck Janine, I hope through your persistence you can get some form of reasonable compensation.
Cheers.........Rob