Airbnb Age Requirement: What Every Host Should Know

As a short-term rental host, or if you are considering listing your property on Airbnb, understanding the Airbnb age requirement is crucial. This policy affects how you list your property and your communication and interaction with potential guests.

Next, we will explore the Airbnb age limit and what it means for hosts.

How old do you have to be to rent an Airbnb?

One of the most common questions potential Airbnb users ask is, “How old do you have to be to rent an Airbnb?”

According to Airbnb’s regulations, you must ensure that at least one member of the group is at least 18 years old to book a rental.

However, it is important to note that this policy is not the only standard.

• In certain countries and regions, such as France, Spain, the UK, and parts of the US, guests under 25 may face additional booking restrictions for entire homes. This applies if they do not have at least three positive reviews on the platform. Additionally, their accounts must not have any negative reviews; otherwise, they cannot book a property.
• Guests who do not meet the age requirement can still stay at an Airbnb property if accompanied by an adult. This adult must be listed on the reservation and assumes full responsibility for the booking.
• Moreover, certain types of listings, such as experiences or luxury rentals, may have higher age requirements.

Airbnb Age Requirement for Experiences

Most Airbnb experiences are aimed at guests aged 18 and over. However, some activities may have more specific age limits due to safety considerations or local laws.

As an experience provider, you can set a minimum age requirement for your experience on the Airbnb platform. When deciding whether your experience is suitable for all ages, consider several factors:

• Physical Requirements of the Activity: Ensure that younger guests can participate in the necessary physical activities. For instance, activities like long hikes over dangerous terrain may not be suitable for children or the elderly.
• Venue Age Restrictions: Some venues may have specific age requirements. For example, participants in a wine-tasting experience at a vineyard must be at least 21 years old.
• Content-Type: If your experience includes adult content or excessive profanity, it is best to exclude children and young people.

How Does Airbnb Verify Guest Age?

Airbnb places great importance on verifying guest identities. They have implemented strict policies to maintain community safety. If a guest provides false age or identity information, they may face penalties, including being banned from the platform.

To ensure only eligible guests can book, Airbnb does not manually check each guest’s ID. Instead, there is a built-in review process that operates programmatically.

1. Government-Issued ID: When creating an Airbnb account, guests must submit a valid government-issued ID. This process helps Airbnb verify the guest’s age and identity.
2. Name Verification: Guests must enter their full name in their Airbnb account to match the name on their ID.
3. Address Confirmation: During the booking process, guests may be asked to confirm their address, which is cross-checked with their ID.

Why Does Airbnb Have an Age Requirement?

As a large global platform, Airbnb inevitably encounters various human-related issues.

When considering the question, “How old do you have to be to rent an Airbnb?”, it’s important to recognize the various issues that have emerged, which have led to calls for implementing certain restrictions.

In recent years, unauthorized parties have caused significant damage to Airbnb properties, prompting hosts and neighbors to urge Airbnb to address the issue. The most notorious incident occurred during Halloween in 2019 when a party at an Airbnb property resulted in a mass shooting that left five people dead.

Additionally, the necessity for social distancing during the pandemic influenced Airbnb’s policies. In the summer of 2020, Airbnb announced a “global party ban” to align with public health requirements worldwide. This initially controversial temporary ban later became a permanent measure.

Therefore, the Airbnb age requirement is not surprising. It helps protect hosts from guests who may not responsibly care for their properties.

How Can Hosts Protect Themselves from Guests Violating Airbnb Age Requirements?

After all, age is just a number and shouldn’t be a strict standard. Airbnb also acknowledges that older guests can also misbehave, while many young guests show respect for vacation homes.

Therefore, hosts need to incorporate additional strategies to reduce the likelihood of their Airbnb rentals being used as party venues. Here are some methods worth exploring:

1. Clearly Define House Rules

Make sure to list your rules clearly in the property description. This helps potential guests understand your expectations and reduces misunderstandings and conflicts. Important rules include:

• Quiet hours
• No parties
• No smoking
• Security deposits and cleaning fees

You can also reiterate these rules in the check-in guide to ensure guests are aware before arrival.

2. Set a Security Deposit

Setting an appropriate security deposit and cleaning fee can help deter irresponsible guests.

For instance, some young travelers looking to throw parties may have tight budgets, and these fees might discourage them.

The deposit amount can be determined based on the property’s value and potential risks.

Ensure you clearly outline the purpose of the deposit and the refund policy in the property description. This increases transparency and helps guests understand the rationale behind the request.

We have previously discussed how to properly collect deposits.

3. Use Monitoring Devices

If compliant with local laws, consider installing monitoring devices, such as door cameras, for added security.

These devices can help you monitor the number of people entering and exiting the property, ensuring that no unauthorized gatherings occur.

Be sure to mention the presence of monitoring devices in your property description to ensure guests are informed and consent. This move can also help deter guests looking for a party venue.

4. Guest Screening

Even with the utmost care, exceptions can still occur. If you receive booking requests from guests who do not meet the requirements, handle the situation professionally.

• All guests must present valid identification to prove their age upon check-in. Acceptable forms of ID include a driver’s license, passport, or ID card.
• You can also enable a guest screening service for your listing. This service conducts background checks on each booked guest using online databases to flag any potential risks.
• Consider activating a damage protection service. This service will protect you if any guests cause damage to your property.

Hostex integrates with SuperHog (Know Your Guest) to offer guest screening and risk management features for vacation rental hosts.

This functionality seamlessly integrates with your booking process, utilizing big data to screen and flag each guest. This allows you to welcome guests with confidence, knowing you are protected from any potential damage they may attempt to cause.

What to Do if Underage Guests Cause Damage?

If underage guests cause damage to your property and you don’t have insurance, you may need to bear the responsibility and lose yourself.

In this case, your options for recourse are limited. You can try to seek compensation from the parents or guardians of the underage guests, but this may become complicated, especially when you need to provide evidence to prove liability for the damages.

Therefore, we must reiterate the importance of taking preventive measures.

If you have enabled the Guests Screening and Risk Management features, and your property has indeed been damaged due to a guest’s actions, you can submit a claim to SuperHog.

The protection and assurance services provided by SuperHog are designed to help you cover such losses. You only need to gather detailed information about the damage, including photos, specifics of the damage, and relevant communication records to support your claim.

FAQs on Airbnb Age Requirement

How old do you have to be to book an Airbnb?

You must be at least 18 years old to rent an Airbnb. However, some regions may enforce additional restrictions for guests under 25.

Can guests under 18 stay at Airbnb?

Yes, guests under 18 can stay as long as the account holder making the booking is at least 18 and is present during the stay.

Is there an upper Airbnb age limit for bookings?

No, there is no maximum age limit. Guests of any age can book a property, provided they meet the standard requirements.

What ID is required to verify age on Airbnb?

Accepted forms of ID include a driver’s license, passport, or national identity card.

What alternatives are available for guests who do not meet Airbnb’s age requirements?

Younger guests can consider platforms like VRBO, Expedia, or Booking.com, which may have different age policies.

When managing multiple OTA listings simultaneously, it’s highly recommended to use Hostex to automate and streamline your management process.

In summary, while underage guests may pose risks, landlords can minimize the potential for loss through effective preventive measures and response strategies.

Prioritizing safety and communication will help maintain the integrity of your property while providing a pleasant stay for all guests.

Only through collective effort can we build a safer and more harmonious Airbnb community.