Short-term rentals marketed as so-called “sex dungeons” are popping up in neighborhoods across the United States, with listings openly advertising bondage equipment, themed rooms, and adult-focused experiences that residents say are disrupting once-quiet communities.
The properties, identified in a recent report by the Daily Mail, are part of a growing network of adult-themed rentals promoted on platforms like Airbnb. Listings reviewed include homes outfitted with sex swings, cages, mirrored ceilings, and “BDSM fantasy” décor, with some charging hundreds of dollars per night.
Neighbors in several areas said the properties have brought a steady flow of unfamiliar visitors and activity they did not expect in residential neighborhoods. Some described seeing guests arrive in costumes or lingerie, while others reported late-night noise and a constant turnover of short-term occupants.
“They can do what they want inside,” one resident told the Daily Mail, “But we shouldn’t have to see it or hear it.”
The report mapped multiple listings across suburban areas, with some located near family homes, raising concerns among residents who said they were unaware of the nature of the rentals until after they began operating. Others said the properties are marketed so openly online that anyone can view the explicit themes before booking.
In Washington, D.C., where officials have already tightened rules on short-term rentals, similar complaints about transient guests and late-night activity have been raised for years. The District requires hosts to obtain licenses and generally limits rentals to a host’s primary residence, part of an effort to prevent residential housing from being used as full-time short-term accommodations.
Recent tracking shows that D.C draws consistent short-term rental demand thanks to its role as the nation’s capital, attracting government travelers, tourists, and event-goers year-round. According to rabbu.com, which tracks listings, there are 2,456 active Airbnb listings in the District with a seasonalized annual revenue of $40,786.
The D.C. market “offers meaningful income potential — though average home values near $1.1 million mean investors need to be strategic about property selection and deal sourcing,” researchers wrote.
Occupancy sits at 34%, just above the state average, while the average daily rate of $178 undercuts the larger D.C.-area average of $412, suggesting room for optimization through amenity upgrades and targeted pricing.
Enforcement has remained a challenge. Investigations have found cases where apartment units were effectively turned into short-term rentals with a constant rotation of guests, prompting warnings from city officials and legal action against violators.
Airbnb has policies that prohibit certain activities, including the use of properties for commercial pornography and large unauthorized gatherings. In at least one case, a property owner said they had no idea their rental had been used for explicit content until after the guest left.
The company has also moved to restrict party houses and high-risk bookings following years of complaints nationwide. Still, the emergence of highly themed adult rentals shows how hosts continue to push into niche markets to attract customers.
Residents interviewed in multiple reports said their concerns go beyond discomfort, pointing to safety and security issues tied to a steady stream of strangers entering neighborhoods and buildings.
“They’re coming and going at all hours,” another neighbor said in the Daily Mail report. “You don’t know who’s next.”
City officials across the country have continued reviewing regulations as the short-term rental market evolves, with some jurisdictions increasing fines, tightening registration requirements, and expanding enforcement efforts aimed at illegal listings.
For now, the listings remain online, often advertised with explicit photos and descriptions, even as complaints continue to mount from residents who say they were never told this kind of activity would move in next door.
“How can a country be great when the people in the country have no moral presence?” Ariel Judah questioned in a social media post.
