What is an Airbnb Co-Host?
An Airbnb Co-Host is a partner who helps manage rental properties. Their duties can include guest communication, check-ins, cleaning, maintenance, and pricing strategies. The specific tasks depend on the agreement between the host and the co-host. This role allows hosts to delegate responsibilities, ensuring the property is well-managed and guests have a positive experience. Co-Hosts can be friends, family, or professionals, tailored to the needs of the property owner.
Who Can Be a Co-Host?
Co-Hosts can be family members, friends, neighbors, or hired professionals. You can also find local co-hosts via Airbnb’s Host Marketplace or search online for companies offering professional co-hosting services.
For instance, Revy is a professional co-hosting service that specializes in revenue management.
Best Practices for Setting Up a Co-Host Arrangement
The most common arrangement involves the co-host handling messaging and cleaner coordination. Co-Hosts are usually compensated with a percentage of each booking, typically ranging from 5 – 30% depending on the arrangement.
Co-Hosts can be compensated in various ways, including:
- Commission-Based: 5 – 30% of the nightly rate.
- Flat Fee: A negotiated fixed amount.
What Tasks do Co-Hosts Perform?
Co-Hosts can handle a variety of tasks, such as:
- Guest readiness (cleaning, restocking)
- Listing management (creating and updating listings)
- Communication (managing guest messages and reservations)
- Maintenance (handling repairs and general upkeep)
- Guest services (greeting guests and resolving issues)
- Revenue management (optimizing pricing)
If you plan on having your co-host handle all the tasks mentioned above then they will likely expect a commission between 20 – 30%. However, if you hire them for specific tasks only, a lower percentage may suffice. At Revy, our focus is solely on maximizing your revenue through expert revenue management, for which we charge a 5% commission. This specialization ensures that you earn more without the need to manage every aspect of your Airbnb business yourself.
Should I Hire an Experienced Co-Host?
Hiring an experienced co-host is crucial because paying a percentage of your revenue to someone who requires training is not cost-effective. An experienced co-host should have more expertise in their specialty than you do, providing valuable advice and ensuring tasks are handled properly. For instance, Revy has been managing Airbnb revenue for the last decade, with a team that has professional experience as revenue managers for major hospitality operators. This level of expertise justifies paying a 5% commission to Revy for optimal revenue management.
Pro Tip: Hire the best Co-Host so you know the job is being done at the highest level.
What Can Airbnb Co-Hosts Not Do?
Airbnb co-hosts cannot:
- Change payout information: Co-hosts do not have access to modify payment details.
- Access taxpayer information: They are restricted from viewing sensitive tax-related data.
- Review messages prior to being added: Co-hosts cannot see past guest communications before their addition to the listing.
- Access the host’s travel itinerary: They are not permitted to view the host’s personal travel plans or bookings.
Keiran Griffiths
Author Biography
Keiran Griffiths is the co-founder, Chief Marketing Officer, and Senior Revenue Manager at Revy. He wears many hats, but his primary goal is to grow Revy by increasing the revenues of its clients. With extensive experience in marketing and consulting within the hospitality industry, Keiran understands the key strategies to drive new revenue. He is passionate about sharing his insights and tips to help clients achieve their financial goals and optimize their business performance.
