Airbnb cohost

More about Airbnb Co-Host

Co-hosting is an extremely useful feature available at Airbnb that simplifies the business for vacation rental owners. At first glance, it may seem a bit complicated, so we have decided to break it down, uncovering the most significant aspects of co-hosting. Today, we will introduce you to the feature, describe the responsibilities of your Airbnb co-host, and present you with a beginner’s guide on using this option.

What is Airbnb Co-Host and How It Works?

As the name implies, co-hosting is a feature that allows you to split the responsibilities of a property owner with another person. The obvious benefit of co-hosting is that it makes the business of a homeowner easier, sparing them the most tedious responsibilities.

Airbnb is an especially unique platform for hosting property in tandem as it has a corresponding built-in feature. As a host, you are able to add the co-host’s account to your listing, enabling them to perform a specified set of actions right on the platform. 

It is more comfortable and safe than providing another person with access to your account because the co-host cannot view your transactions and is not able to change all the configurations of your listings. Moreover, in case you own multiple properties, Airbnb allows you to assign a co-host to only one of the listings, limiting them from managing the others.

What are the Co-Host’s Responsibilities?

As the property owner, you can determine the responsibilities of your co-host. Depending on your needs, you can ask the co-host to manage your listings, check the property and even greet the guests. Airbnb has all the necessary features built-in, allowing you to set the co-host’s permissions according to your agreement.

In fact, a co-host may take most of your responsibilities if needed. If asked, they may control almost the whole process of accepting guests. They may manage your listing, communicate with the clients, visit the property before the guests arrive to check whether everything is fine, and replenish the supplies. They may also manage the reservations, update the calendar and change the pricing, if necessary. With some owners, co-hosts even do the cleaning to make everything ready for new guests. Last but not least, a co-host can leave reviews to guests.

A Beginner’s Guide to Co-Hosting

Co-hosting may sound great on paper, but it is also important to know how to start. In this section, we will review all the steps in the process so that you won’t have to get distracted from your business later. It is always better to know everything beforehand than trying to resolve the issues on the go.

Where to Find a Co-Host?

First things first, it is necessary to find a person that is ready to become your co-host. Many owners prefer to entrust their property to their family members or friends, which is a good option to start. It is easier to handle issues with people you know, but working together may also have an effect on your relationships.

Thankfully, there is an option for those who prefer not to get their close people involved. Airbnb has its own co-host marketplace, where people from your area can suggest their candidatures. The main benefit of this option is that you will be interacting with a person who knows the system. As every user on Airbnb, co-hosts also have a reputation that you may track, making it easy to select the most qualified candidates in your area.

Last but not least, you could use the services of co-hosting companies. They will most likely do a good job and will be ready to take all your responsibilities. However, they logically have the largest fees compared with the previously mentioned options.

Settle everything beforehand

No matter whether you ask a family member to become a co-host or use the services of professionals, it is necessary to settle everything beforehand. The co-host should know exactly what their responsibilities are, and it is vital to reach an understanding here. The last thing you want as a property owner is to have your guests dissatisfied because of your miscommunication with the co-host.

Distribution of Income

Of course, the services of a co-host are not free. Typically, they will charge you with a specified percentage of the rental income. However, this percentage may vary a lot depending on the co-host’s responsibilities and on the quality of their service. To make an informed decision that will be the most efficient for your business, we would suggest checking out the prices on the Airbnb co-host marketplace and comparing them with the services of co-hosting companies.

Even with the highest level of permissions, a co-host will not be able to view or change the payout information of your account or your listing. This eliminates the risk of financial fraud, making it easier to entrust managing your property to third parties. 

How to Add a Co-Host on Airbnb

The technical side of adding a co-host is the easiest step in the process, thanks to the design of Airbnb. To invite a person, you should enter Hosting mode, open your listing, and find the Co-Hosts button on the top. There, you will only need to add a friend as your co-host. Remember that you can always control their permissions from the corresponding menu in your settings.

Conclusion

Summing up, co-hosting is a decent feature that will make your rental business easier. The best point about this option is that the co-host’s services may be very flexible. You may either ask them to control the schedule or allow them to manage the whole process to become free of most responsibilities. Even if you have no issues with handling everything on your own, it may still become a useful feature to temporarily substitute you if needed.

Thanks to the design of Airbnb, it is also a secure feature to use. The co-host will not be able to manage your payout settings, limiting the opportunities for scams. The option to choose between asking a family member to become your co-host and hiring a professional adds even more flexibility, allowing you to distribute the responsibilities exactly as needed. Each co-hosting option comes at a different fee, allowing you to make a choice depending on your budget.