In today’s busy world, people are always looking for ways to earn extra income. One of the best ways to do this is by becoming an Airbnb host.
Managing an Airbnb property can be a lot of work, especially for those who have full-time jobs. This is where co-hosting comes in. Airbnb’s co-hosting program allows you to share hosting responsibilities with family members, friends, or even professional management companies.
- What is co-hosting on Airbnb?
- The benefits of co-hosting on Airbnb
- Who can be a co-host on Airbnb?
- Responsibilities Of A Co-Host On Airbnb
- How much should a co-host make?
- Tips For Preparing To Become A Successful Airbnb Co-Host
- Steps For Airbnb Hosts Who Are Adding A Co-Host On Airbnb
- Frequently Asked Questions About How To Co-Host On Airbnb
What is co-hosting on Airbnb?
Airbnb property management is officially known as co-hosting. Co-hosting is a way to alleviate a lot of the burdens traditional Airbnb hosts deal with. It’s different than Airbnb arbitrage, which is where you rent properties in the traditional sense and then list them on Airbnb as short-term rentals.
The benefits of co-hosting on Airbnb
One of the best parts of co-hosting on Airbnb is that you can split the workload with your co-host. also, your co-host might have skills you don’t have, bringing value to your guests!
- Give you less management time.
- A co-host can handle all your guest communication.
- They can help with managing your cleaning services and turnover.
- A co-host can take care of your guest arrivals.
- They can also take some stress off you as an Airbnb owner.
Related Post: Best Insurance for Airbnb Hosts
Who can be a co-host on Airbnb?
A co-host can be a friend, neighbor, or someone the host has hired to help manage their listing.
A trusted Friend
If you have a good friend that has experience in cleaning or managing properties, you might want to reach out to them for some help.
Family Member
Have a handy family member? Or one that lives close to your property?
Professional Management Service Provider
If you don’t have a trusted family member or friend that can co-host for you, you can also use professional management services providers. These providers are similar to property managers, but they specialize in short-term rental management. They can take care of everything, from guest communication to maintenance and cleaning services, for a flat fee or a percentage of the rental income.
Another trusted acquittance
Do you have an old co-worker, or community member that you know is trustworthy and has the discipline to become part of your rental business? Maybe consider asking them to be a co-host for your rental property.
Professional Co-Host Facebook Groups or Airbnb Forums.
These groups allow you to connect with people who have years of experience in hosting to provide extra support, especially if you are a busy Airbnb host who does not have a lot of spare time. Established Co-Hosts can post in these groups offering their services.
Responsibilities Of A Co-Host On Airbnb
If you’re finding it difficult to keep up with your rental property, adding a co-host to handle the responsibilities of running your rental business can help you manage.
Cleaning and Maintenance
This is the most important task in between each guest. Ensuring that the cleaning routine is followed is essential to keeping your business reviewing good reviews and repeat guests.
Welcoming Guests
If you live any distance from your rental property, adding a local co-host can help you check up on the property and welcome your guests as they arrive to help with check-in, questions, or anything else to provide your guests with a wonderful experience.
Guest Care
You no longer have to free up your schedule to deal with guests, have a co-host take care of your guests during their stay instead!
Update Your Calendar
Your co-host can manage your calendar, but unless you give them full access, they will not be able to edit your calendar.
Manage Listing
Manage price settings, including seasonal pricing or long-stay discounts. They can write titles and descriptions, take and upload photos, and edit anything other details.
Manage Reservations
Your co-host can help you manage your reservations by accepting, or declining trip requests. They can also respond to trip change requests, and update guest numbers and cancellations.
Solve Resolution Center Issues
Hate dealing with customer service? Outsource that piece of your Airbnb business to your co-host. Your co-host can manage support from Airbnb to handle reservations or guest issues.
Manage Your Inbox
Co-hosts can message guests, get to know guests, answer questions, resolve issues, and coordinate check-in and check-out.
Review Transaction History
It’s important to keep track of your Airbnb payments and transaction history. Airbnb allows you to split payments with your co-host, but you will need to keep track of the guest emails and the size of the payout. This will help you avoid any misunderstandings or disputes with your co-host.
Send or Request Money from the Resolution Center
If you give a co-host full access as a co-host, they will be able to manage and view your full transaction history including pending and completed payments. They then can use that information to help you manage any disputes in the event that they arise.
Re-Stock Items
Need someone to restock refillable items or do your shopping for your property? Give this task to your co-host. Coffee, tea, sugar, soap dispensers, snacks, and so on.
Write Guest Reviews
Have your co-host write your guest reviews. Especially if they are the one greeting and taking care of your guest, they will know what sort of review to leave.
Edit and Review Other Co-Hosts
Another item to pull off your plate, is to have your co-host manage and edit other co-hosts for you.
Have an extra set of eyes
Having an extra set of eyes, ears, and hands on your property can give you peace of mind and offer an additional level of comfort for your guests who can feel free to contact your co-host in the event of an emergency.
How much should a co-host make?
Pay structures for being a co-host can vary for each property owner. Some split the rental income, while others offer a percentage. The amount a co-host charges depends on how many responsibilities the co-host does for the property owner.
Tips For Preparing To Become A Successful Airbnb Co-Host
Many Airbnb owners are outsourcing by using the co-hosting feature. If you play your cards right, you can become a thriving business within your local community with your co-hosting services.
Research the Platform
First, decide where you want to work, what types of properties you would want to manage and what responsibilities you are willing to take on. Begin searching in your desired location, then narrow options down from physical management or virtual management.
Create An Outstanding Resume
Create a resume that makes you stand out. Detail your experience and what qualifies you to be a great co-host. Be sure to point out any customer service, cleaning or property management experience that you have.
Start Small
We recommend you start with one co-hosting job and build from there. Once you get the hang of it, you can grow and hopefully use referrals!
Join Facebook Groups and Airbnb Forums for Co-Hosts
Find professionals doing this for years for great success in starting your own co-hosting business.
Create a House Manual
Once you have set up your co-hosting business, it’s important to divide the hosting responsibilities by creating a house manual that outlines each person’s responsibilities. This manual can include things like cleaning duties, maintenance team contact information, and instructions on how to handle guest issues.
Steps For Airbnb Hosts Who Are Adding A Co-Host On Airbnb
The first thing you need to do to co-host on Airbnb is to create your own Airbnb account. Once you have your account, you can add your family member or friend as a co-host.
- Create Your Own Airbnb Account
- Add your friend or family member as a co-host. Go to the “Hosting” tab on your Airbnb website, click on “Co-Hosts,” and then click on “Invite a Co-Host. To do this, ” You will need to enter the person’s personal details and Airbnb account information.
- Navigate to Permissions
- Edit Permissions to your preferences for this co-host.
- Lastly, save.
Co-hosting on Airbnb is an excellent way to share the workload with family members, friends, or professional management companies. It allows you to take care of your guests and take care of your own busy schedule. With a little bit of organization and communication, you can become a successful host on the Airbnb platform and take care of people’s properties while earning extra income.
Frequently Asked Questions About How To Co-Host On Airbnb
It’s also important to discuss the guest experience with your co-host. This includes things like the nightly rate, cleaning fee, size of the property, and guest communication. Make sure that you both agree on these aspects of the listing before you start hosting.
Are there restrictions on what a co-host can do?
Co-hosts have a limited set of permissions on what they can do. You can give a co-host full access or limit access to only your calendar and inbox.
What’s the difference between co-hosting and a hosting team?
Co-Hosts are more casual like your friends or family members who help you run your rental business. A hosting team manages a place on behalf of the renter or owner, including their online listings and guests. A team may be a business or group of people the owner has a legal contract with.
Should there be a written agreement between host and co-host?
The Airbnb co-host agreement allows you to grant your co-host a limited set of permissions. This way, they can access the listing and take care of the guest’s stay without having access to your personal Airbnb account or taxpayer information. This is a wonderful feature that allows you to share the workload without sacrificing your privacy.
Is there such a thing as a “virtual-only” Airbnb Co-host?
Yes! From calendar management to dealing with Airbnb support, hiring cleaning services, management of those cleaning services and even running promotions. Honestly, there is a lot you can take care of virtually as a co-host.
Do Airbnb co-hosts clean the rental property?
Sometimes, but most of the time no. Most Airbnb property owners have full-time jobs and/or multiple properties they manage that they typically outsource cleaning services.
Hey, I’m Melissa… As an Airbnb Superhost and someone who is passionate about investing in real estate, I created Beach Life Bliss to share my experiences and help short term rental operators. I have been a landlord for over 10 years and started my first Airbnb property in 2019.
Creating a space with amenities that guests love, beautifully designed rooms, and providing exceptional customer service will make your Airbnb business thrive.
I hope that all of my Airbnb hosting resources are helpful as you navigate the challenges and rewards of being an Airbnb host!