Airbnb Co-host: How To Become A Co-Host

Updated: November 6, 2024

Hosting on Airbnb can be overwhelming for property owners. It’s a task that’s impossible to handle alone. A co-host on Airbnb can provide much-needed relief by helping to manage the property and guests. Whether they’re a family member, neighbor, trusted friend, or a hired assistant, co-hosts are there to share the responsibilities of your listing, allowing you to breathe a little easier. You should always be able to contact co-hosts by phone or email. 

Co-host on Airbnb offers property owners a flexible way to be part of the Airbnb business without owning a property. As an Airbnb co-host, you have the power to assist with tasks like creating listings, managing check-ins/outs, communicating with guests, and more, all on your terms. 

In this article, we’ll cover the steps to becoming an Airbnb co-host and what to expect regarding fees and responsibilities.

What Is Airbnb Cohost?

A co-host on Airbnb helps you, an Airbnb listing owner, manage your vacation rental property and guests. Co-hosts are often family members, neighbors, trusted friends, or someone you have hired to help with the listing. 

The host is responsible for ensuring co-host on Airbnb have completed identity verification. Depending on the arrangement with the host, co-hosts are compensated either as a percentage of the rental revenue or an hourly rate for specific services provided.

In this article, we’ll guide you through the steps to becoming a co-host on Airbnb and what to expect regarding fees and responsibilities. You’re not alone in this journey-we’re here to support you every step of the way.

How To Become An Airbnb Co-host?

To become a co-host on Airbnb, maintain high service quality to meet platform standards. Accept an invitation to manage, verify your ID, and wait for an email invitation from a primary host. Build your hosting credentials, craft a co-host profile, and proactively seek host partners locally to begin your co-hosting adventure on Airbnb.

1. Build Your Hosting Experience: Start by hosting on Airbnb and providing an excellent guest experience to increase your rating and reviews.
2. Create an Airbnb Co-Host Profile: Once you have an average rating of 4.8 or higher, you can create a profile on Airbnb’s Experienced Co-Host Services Platform.
3. Showcase Your Services: Highlight your hosting expertise, availability, and the specific services you can provide to potential host partners, such as guest communication, cleaning, check-in/out, and more.
4. Connect with Hosts in Your Area: Use Airbnb’s platform to search for and contact hosts in your local area who may be interested in your co-hosting services.
5. Define the Partnership Terms: Work with the host to clearly outline the responsibilities, revenue sharing, and other details of the co-hosting arrangement.

What Are The Responsibilities Of A Co-Host On Airbnb?

The main responsibilities of a co-host on Airbnb include:

1. Managing the listing, updating the calendar and pricing, handling reservations
2. Messaging with guests and providing support during their stay
3. Preparing the space for guests and coordinating cleaning/maintenance
4. Welcoming guests in person, giving them a tour, and answering questions
5. Writing reviews on behalf of the host
6. Pricing strategy for the vacation rental property

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Co-host on Airbnb helps the primary host, care for the vacation rental property and guests. They can have varying levels of access and permissions set by the host, such as:

1. Full access to manage the calendar, listing details, reservations, and other co-hosts
2. Calendar and messaging access to view the calendar and communicate with guests 
3. Calendar access to only view availability and guest details

The host is responsible for ensuring co-hosts have consented to receive invitations and completed identity verification. Depending on the arrangement with the host, co-hosts are compensated either as a percentage of the rental revenue or an hourly rate for specific services provided.

How To Find An Airbnb Co-Host?

Finding the right co-host for your Airbnb can make short-term rental management much more manageable. Here are the key strategies to find a reliable Airbnb co-host:

Search Airbnb’s Co-Host Platform

These co-hosts, with an average rating of 4.8 or higher, can assist with various hosting tasks, such as guest communication, cleaning, check-in/check-out, and more. Using the Experienced Co-Host Services platform can simplify finding a co-host, as you can review the profiles of available co-hosts in your area, message and invite the co-host you want to collaborate with, all within the platform.

To find a co-host using this platform, you can enter your listing address and review the profiles of available co-hosts in your area. You can then message and invite the co-host you want to collaborate with.

Airbnb’s Requirements for Experienced Co-Hosts

1. To become an experienced co-host on Airbnb, you must have an average guest rating of 4.8 or higher.
2. Experienced co-hosts are existing Airbnb hosts or co-hosts who have demonstrated high expertise and reliability in hosting.
3. Experienced co-hosts must have hosted or been part of a team that has hosted at least 10 trips on Airbnb.
4. The Airbnb Experienced Co-Host Services Platform is available in select countries, including the US, Canada, Mexico, France, Spain, Italy, Germany, Brazil, Australia, and the UK.

To qualify as an experienced co-host on Airbnb, you must have a strong hosting track record, with an average rating of 4.8 or higher from at least ten previous bookings.

Leverage Local Networking

Beyond the Airbnb platform, you can look for potential co-hosts through local networking events, online forums, or by asking trusted friends and family members. Joining local Airbnb host groups on Facebook can help you connect with experienced co-hosts in your community.

Explore Co-Host Marketplaces

There are also online platforms that connect hosts with co-hosts, such as Cohostmarket. These services provide features like profile browsing, reviews, and messaging to help you find the right co-hosting partner.

Consider Professional Property Management

Another option is to hire a professional property management company that offers co-hosting services. These companies have the expertise and resources to optimize your Airbnb’s performance and provide a reliable co-hosting experience.

When evaluating co-host candidates, consider their experience, communication skills, reliability, and ability to handle hosting responsibilities. It’s also crucial to clearly define the roles, responsibilities, revenue sharing, and other terms of the co-hosting partnership upfront. This can involve drafting a co-hosting agreement that outlines these details and is signed by both parties.

What Is The Criteria For Choosing An Airbnb Co-Host?

1. Trustworthiness: The co-host will access your property and potentially sensitive information, so trust is paramount. You should look for candidates with a proven reliability and integrity track record.
2. Experience: You should look for individuals or companies with a proven track record in the short-term rental industry. Experienced co-hosts will have the skills and knowledge to manage hosting responsibilities effectively.
3. Availability: Verify that the co-host has the time and commitment to manage their hosting responsibilities effectively. Ensure they can dedicate the necessary resources to your property.
4. Communication Skills: The co-host should be able to communicate clearly and promptly with guests and the primary host. Strong communication is essential for providing a great guest experience.
5. Local Knowledge: Familiarity with the local area can add great value for guests and help you create good Airbnb experiences. A local co-host can contribute to an authentic welcome basket or add restaurant recommendations to your Airbnb guidebook. Co-hosts who live locally may have the inside scoop on affordable, trustworthy support staff like cleaners.

By carefully evaluating potential co-hosts against these criteria, you can find a reliable and capable partner to help manage your Airbnb property and provide an exceptional guest experience.

What Should Be Included In A Co-Hosting Agreement?

Define Permissions:

1. Clearly outline the co-host’s permissions, including access to the Airbnb account, property, and guest communication channels.
2. Specify the level of access granted, such as full access to the calendar, inbox, and financial information.

Hosting Responsibilities:

1. Detail the co-host’s specific responsibilities to avoid misunderstandings.
2. This may include guest communication, check-in/check-out, cleaning, maintenance, and other hosting tasks.

Share Payouts:

1. Specify how payouts will be distributed between the primary host and co-host.
2. Determine whether payouts will be split evenly or based on criteria like the co-host’s level of involvement or the number of bookings managed.
3. Clearly outline the payment schedule and method.

Guest Interaction:

1. Clarify how guest interactions will be handled, including who will respond to inquiries, provide check-in instructions, and address issues during the stay.
2. Establish communication protocols and expected response times.

Property Management:

1. Address property management tasks, such as maintenance, cleaning, and restocking amenities.
2. Specify the frequency of inspections and cleaning services and protocols for handling maintenance issues or emergencies.

Permissions and Restrictions:

1. Outline any permissions or restrictions regarding the use of the property, such as hosting events, smoking policies, and pet policies.
2. Communicate any Airbnb house rules or regulations that must be followed.

Termination Clause:

1. Include a termination clause that outlines the circumstances for ending the co-hosting agreement.
2. Specify the notice period required and any consequences for early termination.

Dispute Resolution:

1. Establish a process for resolving disputes between hosts and co-hosts, such as mediation or arbitration.

Legal Review:

1. Consider seeking legal advice when drafting the co-hosting agreement to ensure compliance with relevant laws and regulations.
2. A lawyer can help identify potential issues and draft language that protects both parties’ interests.

Signatures:

1. Ensure that both the primary host and co-host sign the finalized agreement.
2. Keep a copy of the signed document for your records.

By including these key elements, you can create a comprehensive co-hosting agreement that sets clear expectations and protects the interests of both parties.

Conclusion

Co-hosts can be trusted individuals such as family members, neighbors, or friends or professional co-hosts offering experienced co-host services. They are compensated based on an arrangement with the primary host, either as a percentage of the rental revenue or an hourly rate for specific services.

By delegating these responsibilities to a co-host, primary hosts can focus on other aspects of their lives while maintaining a successful Airbnb operation. The co-host’s support is invaluable in ensuring the property’s success and providing exceptional guest experiences.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. How To Add A Co-Host On Airbnb?

1. Click Listings and select the one you want to edit
2. Under Listing editor, click Your Space
3. Go to Co-Hosts and then to Invite a Co-Host
4. Add their country/region and phone number or email address
5. Select the correct permissions for the Co-Host
6. Review and click Send

2. How Much Do You Pay Airbnb Co-Hosts?

The amount paid to an Airbnb co-host varies depending on the arrangement between the host and co-host. Common compensation structures include:

1. A straight percentage of the booking revenue, typically ranging from 10-40%
2. The cleaning fee plus a lower percentage of the booking revenue 
3. A fixed amount per booking

Some co-hosts prefer a higher percentage (25-30%) if they are on-call and handle most guest communication and property management tasks. You can share payouts with the co-host for the cleaning fee, a percentage of the booking excluding the cleaning fee, or a fixed amount per booking through Airbnb’s co-host payout feature. Ultimately, you and your co-host should discuss and agree on a fair compensation plan based on the co-host’s responsibilities and time commitment.

3. Can Airbnb Co-Host Become The Main Host of Airbnb?

Airbnb co-hosts with full access permissions can be designated as the primary host. The listing owner or a full-access co-host has the authority to assign primary host status. Hosting teams are businesses or groups that manage properties on behalf of the actual listing owner.