One of the most popular vacation rental platforms in the history of human travel just took a major step forward in cleaning up its image amidst ramping criticism over dangerous "Airbnb mansion parties."

San Francisco-based Airbnb announced on Thursday that it was officially banning "open invite" parties (which are usually advertised on social media) at properties rented through its website moving forward.

All large parties, open or closed, will be banned in apartment and condo buildings.

"This policy does not impact parties that are authorized by hosts and convened respectfully by guests," said Airbnb in a news release on Thursday.

"Instead, our goal with this new policy is to address the small number of guests who act irresponsibly and those rare hosts whose homes become persistent neighbourhood nuisances."

As part of its wider efforts to improve the safety and comfort of guests, their hosts, and people in neighbouring properties, Airbnb is also issuing new rules pertaining to guest behaviour.

"In early 2020, guests will get a warning for one instance of excessive noise, unauthorized guests, unauthorized parking, unauthorized smoking or excessive messiness reported by a host or a neighbour," reports the Associated Press of the company's new rules.

"Further violations will result in account suspension or removal."