Accommodation booking website Airbnb has announced a worldwide blanket ban on house parties at its properties.
Venues will be limited to a maximum occupancy number of 16, though exceptions will be made in certain circumstances - and anybody caught flouting the rules could face legal action, reports the Manchester Evening News.
In a statement, Airbnb said: "Instituting a global ban on parties and events is in the best interest of public health."
The company warned that some clients had decided to "take bar and club behaviour to homes sometimes rented through our platforms".
It said: "We think such conduct is incredibly irresponsible - we do not want that type of business, and anyone engaged in or allowing that behaviour does not belong on our platform."
To help prevent parties and large events being hosted in its properties, Airbnb has removed the "event friendly" and "parties and events allowed" search filters from its website.
Some 73 per cent of Airbnb listings had previously banned parties, although some homeowners were happy for small-scale events to be held in their properties.
These will now be outlawed under the new rules.
It is currently against the law for gatherings of more than 30 people to take place in private homes (including gardens and other outdoor spaces) under coronavirus guidelines.
Restrictions state people should not socialise indoors in groups of more than two households.
Staying overnight away from home with members of more than one other household is also not allowed.
While, it is currently against the law for gatherings of more than 30 people to take place in private homes - including gardens and other outdoor spaces.
