Neighbours remain skeptical about Airbnb's pledge to clamp down on party houses

Critics of Airbnb"ghost hotels"in Ottawa are unconvinced the company's new rules, introduced after a deadly shooting in California, willcurb parties that spin out of control.

AirbnbCEO Brian Cheskyannouncedthe company would clamp downafter five people were shot and killedat a Halloween party atan Airbnb rental in Orinda, Calif., Thursday night.

Chesky said the company was "expanding manual screening of high-risk reservations" and "creating a dedicated 'party house'rapid response team,"but residentswho have had to contend with noise, garbage and loud parties question whether the new rules will have any teeth.

"I think that the guidelines thatthey're proposing to come outwith just won't deal with the real issues because the parties can pop up in no time at all," Nepean resident Rob Hanlon said.

"Many places, including the one next door to us, have guidelines on their[Airbnb] website saying no parties, but that didn't stop people from having multiple parties."

The parties can pop up in no time at all.- Rob Hanlon, Nepean resident

Things came to a frightening head last month whentwo men were shotat theAirbnb-listed property next to the Hanlons'home on Benson Street.

"I never would have expected a shooting in our neighborhood," said Mandy Hanlon, Rob's wife.

"One of my comments to the police officer was, 'Well thankfully we've got a brick house so the bullets can't go through,' and he said, 'Ma'am, do you have windows?'"

A positive experience

JulieThberge, who lists her Westboro house on Airbnb, said sheuses the short-term rental site's settings to try to block partiersfrom booking her home.

She refuses last-minute bookings for the same reason.

"Most of our guests have been great [and their trips are] usually planned ... three weeks or two months in advance, sometimes even six months in advance if it's a wedding,"Thbergesaid.

She said her home can host up to six people, so she usually tries to cater to families that she believes will be more responsible.

"When I receivea request for a family of six ...I'm super happy. I know that it's gonna be a good trip," Thberge said.

"Whenit's five guys or six girls doinglike a bachelorette party or girl'sreunion, that's when you start to be a bit more selective."

• Neighbours want Nepean 'ghost hotel' shut down after 2 men shot
• Airbnb bans 'party houses' after Halloween night shooting kills 5 in California

Rob Hanlon said one way to stop parties from happening at Airbnbsis to ensure the property is occupied by the owner.

"They have skin in the game because they're part of the community, and they're going to keep things under control," he said.

"But the minute you have ... a landlord who's not living in the residence, and in our case doesn't even live in the country, how do they enforce anything to do with the activities going on in that property?"

'Too little, too late' for Airbnb's new party rules, neighbours say

5 years ago

Duration 1:01

Rob and Mandy Hanlon say Airbnb's new regulations still lack enforcement power when it comes to parties at rental homes.

Last month, the City of Ottawa held consultations on short-term rentals. A report is expected this month.

A spokesperson for Airbnb saidtheirCEO has asked the company to begin implementation of the new rules over the next ten days, which would also apply to rentals in Canada.