Airbnb bans party houses after five killed in Halloween shooting in California

The home rental platform plans stronger action against those who rent houses to hold parties after five were killed in California.

Airbnb is banning “party houses” after five people were killed at a Halloween party in San Francisco.

The home rental service said it will take steps to “combat unauthorised parties and get rid of abusive host and guest conduct”.

Five people were killed and three people were injured on 31 October in Orinda, California, after a shooting. There were said to be about 100 people at the Halloween party.

Airbnb chief executive Brian Chesky said: “What happened on Thursday night in Orinda was horrible. I feel for the families and neighbours impacted by this tragedy. We are working to support them.”

He said: “Starting today, we are banning ‘party houses’ and we are redoubling our efforts to combat unauthorised parties and get rid of abusive host and guest conduct, including conduct that leads to the terrible events we saw in Orinda.

“Here is what we are doing: First, we are expanding manual screening of high-risk reservations flagged by our risk detection technology.

“Second, we are creating a dedicated ‘party house’ rapid response team.

“Third, we are taking immediate action against users who violate these enhanced guest policies, including removal.”

According to Associated Press, the home had been rented to a woman who said she was escaping the wildfires with her family.

However CBS News reports the homeowner, Michael Wang, believed about a dozen people would be at his home for a family reunion.

Mr Wang called the renter when his neighbours complained about the noise, and she is said to have claimed there were only 12 people in the house, but he could see more on his video doorbell.

Airbnb spokesman Ben Breit told CBS the renter had been banned.

NBC reports a person with knowledge of the transaction said the owner found the one-night booking suspicious and reminded the renter that no parties were allowed.

The five victims were 19-year-old Oshiana Tompkins of Vallejo; 22-year-old Tiyon Farley of Antioch; 24-year-old Omar Taylor of Pittsburg; 23-year-old Ramon Hill Jr of San Francisco/Oakland and 29-year-old Javin County of Sausalito/Richmond, according to the Contra Costa County Sheriff’s Office.

In 2018, Airbnb permanently banned a man who had more than 250 people in an Airbnb rental in Seven Hills, Ohio, for an unauthorised New Year party, while the host hid in the bathroom.

In July, two people were killed during a party at an Airbnb in Pittsburgh.

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