Yes, Airbnb can shut down, or minor to longer suspension of a listing for noise or disturbance.
In Airbnb’s Help Center article 3345, they mentioned that Airbnb’s Community Disturbance Policy bans loud parties and noise that can disturb neighbors.
By getting repeated noise complaints from neighbours, Airbnb may revoke hosts’ short-term rental license, too.
Around New Year’s Eve alone, Airbnb blocked or redirected about 340,000 attempted reservations. This is because of their anti-party policy, which shows Airbnb is very strict with its noise policies.
Excessive noise does not only mean parties; there can be screaming kids, constant slamming of doors, loud voice or music, late-night gatherings, noise of arguments or fighting. When the neighbor gets frustrated, they may either reach out to the host, directly to Airbnb, or to local communities.
We do not want you to find out that your listing is suspended suddenly. So, today we will talk about why Airbnb shut down listing for noise complaints. We have gone through Airbnb policies and will highlight them for you.
Stick with us to know how you can prevent noise and what to do if you fall into such a situation.
Does Airbnb Shut Down Listings for Noise Complaints?
Airbnb’s Community Disturbance Policy is very strict about its noise prevention polices, and violating the law, Airbnb can shut down listings.
In their Community Disturbance Policy, Airbnb clearly mentions that those who use Airbnb should be respectful towards local community laws. No one should do activities that disturb the neighbors, such as parties, events, or any noise. Airbnb even asked not to do any disruptive behaviors or actions.
On August 20th, 2020, Airbnb announced “Today we’re announcing a global ban on all parties and events at Airbnb listings, including a cap on occupancy at 16. This party ban applies to all future bookings on Airbnb, and it will remain in effect indefinitely until further notice.”
If the Airbnb suspension is minor, then it may last 5 days. But for the severe situations where guests complain repeatedly, the suspension can take a longer time.
In 2022, Airbnb highlighted suspending nearly 4,000 host accounts in a year for discrimination policy violations. Airbnb wanted to indicate that whoever violates the policy, regardless of the number of hosts, will face serious action.
There are cases in host forums where a single serious neighbor complaint, especially following prior warnings or noise-sensor alerts. Airbnb delisted and canceled all future bookings for that property.
However, there are some more reasons why Airbnb can shut down listings, such as low ratings, other policy violations, AI-detected breaches, more negative reviews, or frequent cancellations.
Why Airbnb Takes Noise So Seriously?
Airbnb operates in more than 220 countries, each with different laws and regulations, where noise issues are common in most countries and have dedicated laws.
To avoid legal problems, save the platform’s reputation, and most importantly, neighbors or guests should not be disturbed; Airbnb takes noise seriously.
Some countries have very noise prevention laws. For example, many Canadian cities enforce rigorous noise bylaws for short-term rentals. In Edmonton and Toronto, noise must not exceed 50 dB(A) to 65 dB(A) during the day and drop to 45 dB(A) to 55 dB(A) at night.
So, Airbnb needs to be very careful about the legalities that directly impact the platform’s reputation. This is why Airbnb enforces its Community Disturbance Policy and Neighborhood Support Line.
What is Considered Excessive Noise in an Airbnb?
- Loud parties or gatherings.
- Yelling, arguments.
- Noise during quiet hours
- Heavy footsteps or furniture dragging.
- Pet noises or kids screaming.
- Music or speaker systems.
- Constant door slamming
- Loud TV or movies late at night
- Using power tools or noisy appliances
- Running or jumping in multi-unit buildings
- Shouting in hallways or shared spaces
- Revving engines or loud vehicles near the property
- Continuous banging or knocking sounds
- Large groups talking loudly on balconies or patios
How the Airbnb Noise Complaint Process Actually Works?
Airbnb has the “Neighborhood Support” where people can complain about noise coming from the Airbnb property. In severe complaints or repetitive situations Airbnb can take immediate action to shut down the property listing. If the host has listings, Airbnb suspends those too. Often, if the complaint is a first time, then Airbnb may warn the host or give a short suspension for about 5 days.
First, let’s know who can file a complaint against Airbnb hosts.
Who Can File a Complaint?
Not necessarily only neighbors can complain, other guests or anyone who is getting disturbed can complain.
Guests
If the property is a shared type, like there can be multiple guests, or if there are two or multiple floors, there can be more guests. In such a situation, if some guests make noise, like having parties or jumping or running on the upper floors, then other guests can complain. Not only this, there can be some other scenarios where, in one space, guests are staying in private rooms and someone is talking loudly in the common area.
Neighbors
Airbnb does not support neighbors being disturbed by the Airbnb guests. Many guests may intentionally or unintentionally make noise with vehicle engines, or they have loud vehicles. People may party late at night or do anything else, making the neighbors uncomfortable. They can contact the host or Airbnb to complain.
Community Officials (Airbnb Neighborhood Support Line)
Community officials are local authorities. People in this community have the responsibility to keep neighborhoods safe and peaceful. They may regularly inspect the society, and if they find any disruptions, it may an Airbnb-listed property, they can complain through the Airbnb Neighborhood Support Line.
City officials, local council members, community association representatives, or neighborhood leaders can monitor issues like noise, safety, and community rules.
The Step-by-Step Escalation Path
Airbnb follows a pattern based on the noise issue severity. Here are the patterns:
- First Complaint: If the neighbor or others are complaining for the first time directly to Airbnb, then they warn the hosts, or may penalize guests. Sometimes, suspend the listing for a short period of time, around 5 days.
- Second/Repeated Complaint: Even after the warning, if the host fails to prevent the noise issue and there are several instances in which people complain, then Airbnb takes longer suspension action. Also, cancel upcoming reservations, or may not be able to use Instant Booking.
- Severe or Chronic Complaints: Many hosts have experienced immediate shutdown or permanent account ban from Airbnb in severe cases.
How to Prevent Noise Complaints as a Host?
Before you experience any delisting of your property, it is better to take some noise prevention steps. Especially the new hosts should be more careful.
Setting up clear house rules and letting the guest know about them is the first thing a host must do. Also, there are many smart noise monitoring tools available to help you check on your guests’ activities.
Set Crystal Clear House Rules
First of all, hosts should mention clearly in the listing that house parties or any noise can penalize the guests. They need to follow the local rules too.
Then, in the house rules guidebook, again mention the rules and consequences. Most often, guests do not read the book properly, so it is the host’s responsibility to let the guest know before they book the property.
Moreover,
- Try to limit the number of guests.
- Specifically mention Airbnb’s quiet hours and the rules.
- Provide a digital guidebook right after guests book the property.
Communicate Effectively with Guests
Try to communicate with the guest from the very beginning. Airbnb also promotes no-party rules strictly, and guests who do not follow them may be banned from the Airbnb platform. Also, every locality has its own laws and the seriousness of them, so guests must follow them otherwise face legal issues. Let your guests know about these rules properly.
You can directly mention over the phone or send a message. Provide them digital guidebook and ask them to go through it.
It is totally understandable that busy hosts may not find the time to communicate rules properly with the guest. On behalf of hosts, our Airbnb virtual assistants have been doing it for years. STR Assistance VAs are experts in guest communication, guest screening, also helping hosts to prevent such issues. So, you can hire your Airbnb VA to escape from the hassle, also stay safe.
Add Property Soundproofing
You can use thick rugs, carpets, curtains, door draft stoppers, weather stripping, and wall panels to absorb sound. If there is any gap in the walls or somewhere, seal it. Using soft pads under the furniture can also reduce noise.
Hosts can do these small upgrades where the space becomes a bit quieter.
Use Noise Monitoring Devices (Airbnb-approved)
Though you have done your part in letting the guest know about the rules, some guests may intentionally violate the rules. To escape such incidents, many hosts install noise monitoring devices on their property, like Minut.
Noise monitoring devices are helpful for checking noise levels remotely. With more smart devices, these devices may alert you instantly if they detect any loud noise.
Here are 5 Airbnb-approved noise monitoring devices:
- Minut – Tracks noise levels without recording audio and sends instant alerts to hosts.
- NoiseAware – Monitors indoor and outdoor noise and notifies you when the sound goes above the limit.
- Roomonitor – Real-time noise detection device designed for vacation rentals.
- Alertify – Sends automatic notifications when guests create disruptive noise.
- StayFi Noise Sensor – Provides continuous noise monitoring to help prevent parties.
But be careful with the privacy and safety of your guests.
- The host should not install noise monitoring devices in private places like the bedroom or bathroom.
- They are allowed in common spaces.
- The guest must know about the devices, but the host may not disclose where the devices are.
Build Good Relationships with Neighbors
Always try to keep a good relationship with your neighbors. Most hosts stay more stressed about the neighbors.
At the beginning, what you can do is visit them with a small gift, let them know you are starting the STR business, and have listed your property on Airbnb. There will be guests coming over to your place. So the neighbors can already assume what to expect. Also, reassure them of being available anytime if they need anything. But this way, if any problem happens, then the guest will reach out to you first.
Airbnb also shares some tips to prevent parties at your property. They advise being a good neighbor.
What to Do If You Receive an Airbnb Noise Complaint
You may get an Airbnb Noise Complaint, and you get blank because you have no idea how to tackle this situation. Without panicking, the first 1 hour is important for you, and you need to move forward by taking the immediate but right actions.
Here we have divided into three phases that a host should follow when receiving an Airbnb Noise Complaint.
Phase 1: Immediate Actions (First 60 Minutes)
Try to contact the guest asap. Instead of being rude or loud, politely ask them why there is so much noise, what the reasons are, and tell them it is disturbing the neighbors. If the guest calmly shares with you and lets you assure they will not repeat, then it is okay. Have the conversation in Airbnb messaging to keep proof.
If possible, visit the place physically and try to handle the situation.
You can reach out to the neighbor by telling them you are aware of the situation and are trying to solve it as early as possible.
If Airbnb sends you a warning, try to respond to it respectfully and state your situation.
Phase 2: Investigation & Documentation
Communicate with the guests and also with the neighbors to assess the situation. Document everything and keep a record of every conversation. Is the noise coming from late-night parties, or is there another situation?
Collect screenshots, recordings, and message history that you previously informed the guest about the noise policy.
Phase 3: Follow-Through and Prevention
Give a follow-up text to your guest asking if everything is okay now, and whether they need something. Try to relieve them, not fight with the guests.
We have already discussed how you can set house rules and mention rules in your property description. Again, go through everything and if needed, change or update the rules.
You can make a “Good Neighbor Policy.” Mention the rules there, make a frame of it, and place it in your place where it is noticeable. Or if you want a digital one, that will work too.
What Happens If Airbnb Takes Action Against Your Listing?
Without notifying the hosts, Airbnb can suspend the listing and start its full investigation. So, if your property gets banned anytime, you can only discover it if you check your listing.
An “Specialized Safety Team” handles the entire matter. During this time, hosts can not contact Airbnb. It can take 10 or more days for a complete investigation.
If Airbnb finds the issue is severe and the host has not maintained the rules properly as mentioned in the listing, then they may permanently remove the listing. Also, demand for fines.
Or, after warning the hosts, Airbnb asks to update the listing with a proper mention of rules for parties or noise.
Conclusion
Airbnb is strict with the noise policy and has dedicated rules in Airbnb’s Community Disturbance Policy. Anyone who violates the rules, hosts, or guests will face consequences of being banned from Airbnb. So, yes, Airbnb has the right to shut down the Airbnb property listing of a host because of a noise complaint.
Sometimes, it is the host’s fault if they do not add the noise policies in their listing description, digital guidebook, house guides, or notify the guests. Also, it can happen that guests know the rules, but do not bother to follow them. As a result, a single complaint can lead to a permanent ban.
So, what to do? From the host’s end, be transparent always with the guest and try to communicate properly. Have a good bond with your neighbors, so when anything happens, they can reach out to you.
Be prepared fron the beginning so you do not need to experience any such suspension from Airbnb.
Frequently Asked Questions
Airbnb requires guests to keep noise at a reasonable level and follow quiet hours set by the host or local laws.
Airbnb may suspend a listing if there are repeated complaints about noise, parties, or safety issues.
Unacceptable noise includes loud music, shouting, parties, or anything that disturbs the peace, especially during quiet hours.
Yes. If your listing gets frequent noise complaints, it can affect your ratings and cause you to lose Superhost status.
Yes, as long as they do not record audio and hosts clearly inform guests that the device is installed.
Yes. Guests can be fined, removed from the property, or even banned from Airbnb for causing serious noise disturbances.
An entire rental unit means guests get the full place to themselves, no shared interior spaces. This can be a whole apartment, house, tiny home, or similar private property. The host may live nearby, but not inside the rented unit.
