VRBO bans 1-night rentals in Arizona

PHOENIX – The VRBO vacation rental site say it is implementing a monthslong ban on one-night rentals in Arizona in response to concerns over large gatherings during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The single-night rental ban will run through January and was disclosed in a letter Tuesday to Gov. Doug Ducey, the Arizona Republic reported.

The site’s parent company, Expedia Group, plans to develop long-term steps to help eliminate large gatherings through changes in the reservation system and through identification “of bad actors after the fact to prevent future incidents,” the letter said.

Pandemic-related concerns about large gatherings have added to previously voiced complaints about short-term rentals of homes used for frequent parties and other gatherings that produce loud noise, rude behavior and street congestion.

The issue has festered since Arizona lawmakers in 2016 approved legislation prohibiting municipalities from banning rentals. That allowed them to flourish.

Amanda Pedigo, an Expedia Group vice president, said the company met recently with community leaders and Ducey’s staff.

“These conversations revealed a unifying question: how to make vacation rentals safer for everyone in an uncertain environment and reduce possible negative impacts of large-group gatherings?” Pedigo’s letter said. “As a company built on family travel, we take those concerns and feedback seriously.

Airbnb in July suspended or removed 50 shortterm rental listings in Arizona that received complaints or violated its policies related to parties and events. The company said that month it had taken enforcement action on party houses.