Vrbo Is Cracking Down on Super Bowl Parties in Rentals

Online short-term rental marketplace Vrbo is trying to root out football fans who want to rent homes over the Super Bowl weekend to throw unauthorized parties.

Vrbo is attempting to help property managers detect bookers who may be looking to host an event by tracking factors like length of stay and number of guests, the division of Seattle-based Expedia Group Inc. said in a statement Monday. If a Vrbo booking is deemed high risk, the host receives an email alert and can cancel the guests’ booking penalty-free. Guests are also sent an alert reminding them of the company’s no-parties policy. Vrbo won’t cancel or block any bookings, leaving that for hosts or guests to do.