Taming the Party Problem: How We Overcame Noise Issues at Our Vacation Rental Home

As an Airbnb host, one of the most rewarding parts of the job is welcoming new guests and knowing you're offering them a memorable experience. However, this is often tested by challenges that, at times, can seem insurmountable—like loud parties and disruptive behavior that not only disturb neighbors but also threaten the long-term viability of your vacation rental business.

For months, we found ourselves stuck in a frustrating cycle at one of our properties. Despite our best efforts to enforce house rules, install soundproofing, and implement quiet hours, we couldn’t seem to stop the parties. Our neighbors began to complain more frequently, and soon, we were caught in a string of difficult situations. We even had to call the police to break up a party that had gotten out of hand, which led to an unexpected retaliation from guests and a temporary suspension of our listing.

In short, we were stuck. But after months of trying everything, we finally found a solution that worked—though it was a gamble.

The Turning Point: A Minimum Stay Requirement

It wasn’t until we implemented a minimum 2-night booking requirement that things started to change for the better. Initially, we were skeptical. According to the data we had on hand, this decision could hurt our booking rate. After all, the average traveler on Airbnb is looking for flexibility, and many guests prefer short stays. We were concerned that this would limit our ability to attract guests, and the property might end up becoming more of a burden than an asset.

But we were desperate. If we didn’t try something drastic, we feared that we’d have no choice but to shut down the property for good.

The Results: Surprisingly Positive

To our surprise, the change worked in ways we didn’t anticipate. Almost immediately, the nature of the bookings shifted. We started to receive longer-term guests—some even booking stays for a week or more. The longer stays seemed to attract a different type of guest—one who was more interested in relaxing and enjoying the area rather than throwing loud parties.

Here are a few factors that we believe contributed to the success of this change:

1. More Serious Travelers

By limiting our bookings to a minimum of two nights, we filtered out the party-goers and attracted guests who were more serious about their stay. This shift in guest type helped eliminate the risk of disruptive events and set a more respectful tone for the property.

2. Increased Trust Through Reviews

One of the key factors in attracting these longer-term guests was the trust factor—specifically, our growing number of positive reviews. After nearly 100 reviews on this particular listing, we’ve built a solid reputation as a reliable and trustworthy host. This, combined with the minimum stay rule, made potential guests feel confident that they were booking with a property that was well-maintained and peaceful.

3. Reduced Turnover, More Consistency

With the increase in long-term bookings, we noticed a significant decrease in turnover rates. This meant less time spent cleaning, checking in guests, and addressing issues. The fewer guests we had, the more time and energy we could dedicate to ensuring the property was perfect for each guest’s arrival.

4. Better Neighbor Relations

As a bonus, the longer stays have drastically improved our relationship with the neighbors. With guests staying for extended periods, the noise and party incidents have become a thing of the past. Our neighbors are happy, and so are we.

Lessons Learned: What Worked and What Didn’t

While the minimum stay requirement was a success, it didn’t come without its challenges. Here are some takeaways for other hosts dealing with similar issues:

1. Set Expectations Early Along with the minimum stay requirement, we found it helpful to reinforce house rules right from the start. In our listing description, we emphasize that our property is not a party house and outline what constitutes acceptable behavior. We also follow up with guests before their arrival to remind them of these rules.

   
   

2. Adapt Based on Market Conditions In a competitive market, you need to be willing to adapt. While the minimum stay requirement may not be the right solution for every host, it worked for us. Consider your own property's location, the type of guests it tends to attract, and the seasonality of your bookings before making changes.

   
   

3. A Safety Net for Troublesome Guests If you’re dealing with disruptive guests and concerned about the future of your property, don’t hesitate to take action. It’s tempting to think that a single bad experience won’t have a lasting effect, but we learned the hard way that you need to protect your property and business. We took extra steps to vet guests more carefully and kept a tight grip on enforcing rules.

   
   

Conclusion: Finding a New Normal

For us, implementing a minimum stay requirement was a last-ditch effort to salvage what was becoming an increasingly difficult situation. But now, we can look back and say that it was the right choice. Our Airbnb listing has returned to being a peaceful and profitable part of our business, and we're seeing long-term success that we hadn't anticipated.

If you're facing similar challenges with noisy parties and difficult guests, don't be afraid to try something new. Whether it’s adjusting your minimum stay, raising your security deposits, or tightening your house rules, there are always ways to pivot and protect the integrity of your property.

We’ve learned that flexibility, communication, and a willingness to change are essential to thriving as an Airbnb host. Here’s to peaceful stays and happy neighbors—hopefully, for many more years to come!

Have you had similar challenges with noisy guests or parties at your Airbnb? What solutions have worked for you? Let us know in the comments below!