Co-hosts on Airbnb: 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 people who manage and help with the booking and stay process at the host's property. In this article, we'll talk about 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 reservations, organizing cleaning between guest stays, and offering recommendations on what to do in the area.

Co-hosts can be friends, family members, or even hired through property management services on Airbnb. 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 respond to guests' questions, provide information about the property, and assist guests during their stay.
3. Manage reservations
4. Coordinate cleaning: Co-hosts can coordinate the cleaning of the property before and after the guests' stay, including hiring a cleaning service and ensuring that the property is in optimal condition for guests.
5. Handle issues and emergencies: Co-hosts can help resolve issues and emergencies that may arise during a guest's stay, such as plumbing or electrical problems.
6. Provide additional services: Co-hosts can offer additional services to guests, such as picking up and dropping off keys, providing local tourist information, or even offering transportation 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. These 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 the payment information of a property, 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. Modifying 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 reservation: Co-hosts cannot change the duration of a confirmed reservation without the consent of the host and the guest.
6. Accepting certain modification requests: Co-hosts cannot accept reservation modification requests that involve a cancellation by the guest and a possible refund.

Why should you use an Airbnb co-host?

There are many reasons why a host may 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're 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, answering guests' questions, and managing reservations, allowing you to focus on other things.
• Experience: If you don't have much experience as a host on Airbnb, a co-host can be a great help. Co-hosts often have experience managing properties and can help you avoid common mistakes that could negatively impact your reviews and performance on the platform.
• Improve reviews: An Airbnb co-host can help you improve your reviews, as they can ensure that your property is in perfect condition for your guests. In addition, a co-host can respond quickly to any issues that arise during the guests' stay, which can help avoid bad reviews.
• Flexibility: If you don't have much flexibility in managing your property, a co-host can be a great help. A co-host can be available to manage your reservations and answer guests' questions when you can't do it yourself.

How do Airbnb co-hosts work?

Airbnb co-hosts can be friends, family members, or even hired through Airbnb property management services. If you decide to use a co-host, you'll 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'll need to follow these steps:

1. Log in to your Airbnb account and go to the "Ad Management" section of your control panel.
2. Select the property you want 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 on "Add co-host" and enter the name and email address of the person you want 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 on managing your Airbnb property.

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

The payment agreement between the host and co-host can vary, depending on the needs and preferences of each. Here we show you some ways to divide the payment:

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

How to select a good Airbnb co-host?

If you're looking for an Airbnb co-host, here are some things to 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's vital that your co-host has good communication and can quickly respond to guests' questions and any issues that may arise during their stay.
• Flexibility: Look for someone who is flexible and can adapt to your needs and schedules.
• Responsibility: Look for someone responsible who can manage the property efficiently and effectively.
• Personal suitability: It's crucial that you feel comfortable working with your co-host and 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 have a more efficient management of their properties. When selecting a co-host, it is essential to consider their experience, communication, flexibility, responsibility, and personal suitability.

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