Airbnb Co-hosts: Everything You Need to Know in 2023

If you own a property on Airbnb, you may have heard of Airbnb co-hosts. If not, co-hosts are individuals who are responsible for managing and assisting with the booking and stay process at the host's property. In this article, we will discuss Airbnb co-hosts, what they are, how they work, and everything you need to know about them.

What are Airbnb co-hosts?

Airbnb co-hosts are people who help hosts manage their properties on the Airbnb platform. Co-hosts can assist with many tasks, such as answering guest questions, managing bookings, arranging cleaning between guest stays, and offering recommendations on what to do in the area.

Co-hosts can be friends, family, or even hired through Airbnb property management services. Co-hosts can have different levels of responsibility, depending on the agreement established between the host and the co-host.

What can co-hosts do?

Airbnb co-hosts can perform a wide variety of tasks to help hosts manage their properties on the platform. Below are some of the most common tasks that co-hosts can perform:

1. Create and manage listings: Co-hosts can create and manage listings for the host's property, including writing descriptions, setting prices, and creating attractive photos for the listing.
2. Communicate with guests: Co-hosts can answer guest questions, provide information about the property, and assist guests during their stay.
3. Manage bookings: Co-hosts can accept or reject bookings on behalf of the host, schedule arrival and departure dates, and coordinate key handovers.
4. Coordinate cleaning: Co-hosts can coordinate property cleaning before and after guest stays, including hiring a cleaning service and ensuring the property is in optimal condition for guests.
5. Handle problems and emergencies: Co-hosts can help resolve problems and emergencies that may arise during guests' stays, such as plumbing or electrical issues.
6. Provide additional services: Co-hosts can offer additional services to guests, such as picking up and handing over keys, providing local tourist information, or even offering transport services.

What can't co-hosts do?

Although Airbnb co-hosts can perform a wide variety of tasks to help hosts manage their properties on the platform, there are some things that co-hosts cannot do. Here are some of the restrictions that apply to co-hosts:

1. Add a property to their account: Co-hosts cannot add a property to their own Airbnb account and then manage it on behalf of the host.
2. Modify payment information: Co-hosts cannot modify a property's payment information, as only the host has access to this information.
3. Manage guest accounts: Co-hosts cannot create guest accounts, as this can only be done with a host account.
4. Modify cancellation policies: Co-hosts cannot modify a property's cancellation policies, as only the host has access to these settings.
5. Change the duration of a booking: Co-hosts cannot change the duration of an already confirmed booking without the consent of the host and the guest.
6. Accept certain modification requests: Co-hosts cannot accept booking modification requests that involve a cancellation by the guest and a potential refund.

Why should you use an Airbnb co-host?

There are many reasons why a host might want to use an Airbnb co-host. Here are some of the main reasons why a co-host could be beneficial:

• Time-saving: If you are a busy host, a co-host can help you manage your property and save you time. The co-host can take care of cleaning between stays, answer guest questions, and manage bookings, allowing you to focus on other things.
• Experience: If you don't have much experience as an Airbnb host, a co-host can be a great help. Co-hosts often have experience in property management and can help you avoid common mistakes that could negatively affect your reviews and performance on the platform.
• Improve reviews: An Airbnb co-host can help you improve your reviews, as they can ensure your property is in perfect condition for your guests. Additionally, a co-host can quickly respond to any problems that arise during guest stays, which can help avoid bad reviews.
• Flexibility: If you don't have much flexibility regarding the management of your property, a co-host can be a great help. A co-host can be available to manage your bookings and answer guest questions when you cannot do so yourself.

How do Airbnb co-hosts work?

Airbnb co-hosts can be friends, family, or even hired through Airbnb property management services. If you decide to use a co-host, you will need to establish an agreement with them on how tasks will be divided and how payment will be split. To add a co-host to your property, you will need to follow these steps:

1. Log in to your Airbnb account and go to the "Listing management" section of your dashboard.
2. Select the property you wish to assign to a co-host.
3. Click "Edit" at the top of the page and scroll down to the "Co-hosts" section.
4. Click "Add co-host" and enter the name and email address of the person you wish to add as a co-host.
5. Send the request to the co-host and wait for them to accept it.
6. Once the co-host accepts your request, you can start working together to manage your Airbnb property.

How is payment divided between the host and the co-host?

The payment agreement between the host and the co-host may vary, depending on the needs and preferences of each. Here are some ways payment can be divided:

• Percentage: A common way to divide payment is by assigning a percentage of the earnings to the co-host. For example, the host might receive 70% of the earnings and the co-host 30%.
• Flat fee: Another option is to set a flat fee for each booking the co-host manages. For example, the co-host might receive €50 for each booking they manage.
• Hourly rate: If the co-host performs specific tasks, such as cleaning, the host could pay them hourly. For example, the co-host might receive €10 per hour for cleaning between guest stays.
• It is important to establish a clear payment agreement with your co-host before you start working together to avoid misunderstandings and problems in the future.

How to select a good Airbnb co-host?

If you are looking for an Airbnb co-host, here are some things you should consider when selecting the right person:

• Experience: Look for someone with experience in managing properties on Airbnb. Ask them about their experience and ask for references if possible.
• Communication: It is important that your co-host has good communication and can respond quickly to guest questions and any problems that may arise during their stay.
• Flexibility: Look for someone who is flexible and can adapt to your needs and schedule.
• Responsibility: Look for someone who is responsible and can manage the property efficiently and effectively.
• Personal suitability: It is important that you feel comfortable working with your co-host and that you have a good personal relationship.

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In summary, Airbnb co-hosts can be a great help for hosts looking to save time, improve their reviews, and manage their properties more efficiently. When selecting a co-host, it's important to consider their experience, communication, flexibility, responsibility, and personal suitability.

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