If you’re a busy Airbnb host who needs a break from the daily grind of guest communication and check-ins, why not consider adding a co-host to your listing?
What is a co-host?
A co-host is someone who helps you take care of your Airbnb property and guests in return for a percentage of your rental income. They take the pressure off you and assist in making sure your Airbnb runs smoothly.
It’s completely up to you and your co-host when it comes to deciding how to divide the responsibilities and profits. You’ll also need to agree on how the co-host will be reimbursed for expenses.
Did you know Airbnb allows you to add up to three co-hosts per listing?
To add a co-host:
- Go to Manage Listings on airbnb.com
- Select Manage Listing and Calendar on the listing you want to edit
- Hover on the left side of the page to open the menu and select Co-hosts
How can co-hosts help?
Handling the listing: If you’re someone who is not computer savvy and would prefer to spend less time sitting in front of a screen managing your listing – you can ask your co-host to handle the online side of the business. They can be the ones responsible for communicating with guests and sending check-in information to them ahead of their arrival.
Checking the space: A co-host can be a good way of double-checking things inside the property – whether it’s the cleanliness of the bathroom or whether more clean tea towels are needed in the kitchen. They can also help you create a house manual.
Greeting guests: Some hosts work full-time jobs and do not have the flexibility to meet guests at various hours of the day to hand over the keys and welcome them to a property. A co-host can handle the meeting/greeting – letting you get on with your day job without interruptions. This can also include handling problems with the property during the stay and liaising with guests.
Who to choose?
A close friend or family member: In an ideal world you will have a close friend or family member who can help you with your Airbnb listing. The benefits of having a co-host who you know and trust are pretty obvious. The downsides could be that they lack experience using the Airbnb platform and might need to be taught how to assist you.
Someone from Airbnb’s host marketplace: If friends and family are not an option, you can opt for a neighbourhood co-host through the Airbnb website. Local co-hosts can help with your listing by using their own account and there’s the benefit of them already being familiar with the system. Find a co-host.
A professional management company: GuestReady has many years of experience in assisting Airbnb hosts with the smooth running of their business. Using a professional management company means you really don’t have to worry about anything. You will be able to have 100% peace of mind that your Airbnb is in good hands.
If you are new to Airbnb and don’t have family or friends who can help you out, why not contact us at GuestReady? Whether you want a hand with arranging regular cleaners to attend your property, or with answering guest emails – our team has a huge amount of experience in the vacation rental industry which means we can meet all your Airbnb needs – as well as those of your guests. We are also available in Edinburgh.
Angela logan
July 4, 2018 — 11:30 pm
Do you know that Airbnb is going to stop allowing CO-hosts to be paid automatically through the Airbnb app as of August 1, 2018? If you like paying your co host automatically without a lot of bookkeeping, or if you like being paid automatically by the homeowner you support, write to AirBnb and ask them to continue offering this functionality!
Mike
September 3, 2018 — 6:28 am
I wrote to them as well to activate this, it would only increase listings for them, such a shame…
Deborah Helton
September 7, 2018 — 2:39 pm
Did they discontinue the service of payout directly to Co-Host??
Stephen
September 5, 2018 — 11:41 am
As a host, I prefer to pay my co-host after funds have cleared into my account. It’s not rocket science working out how much needs to be paid and it also means that if the co-host is not performing properly, then funds can be deducted.
I have just had an absolute nightmare with a co-host who I recruited through the AirBnb platform.i was away travelling for a few weeks and in that time, they managed to ruin my ratings, did not clean the place properly which resulted in complaints, cancellations and requests for refunds. I went from being a Superhost to not my listing being at risk due to low ratings.
My huge gripe with AirBnb is that co-host s cannot be rated despite being recruited through their platform. The co-host that I used is a Super host with their listing but in hindsight seemed intent on ruining mine. Beware and monitor your co-host until you have total trust in them. My listing lied in tatters