Airbnb Co-Host Guide for Property Managers

Key Takeaways

An Airbnb co host can improve guest satisfaction by handling daily tasks such as check-ins, cleaning coordination, and calendar management. This helps property managers to oversee multiple listings.

Choosing the right co host requires clear communication and a formal agreement. Look for someone reliable, tech-savvy, and familiar with short-term rental regulations. Be clear on responsibilities and payment terms ahead of time to avoid disputes.

Having a trusted Airbnb co host is becoming essential in regulated regions. For example, in Italy, in-person check-ins are now mandatory. A local co-host can guarantee compliance for ID verification.

Co-hosts cannot earn Superhost status unless they are the listing owner. But they are a key player in helping listing owners achieve this status by improving response times, reducing cancellations, and guaranteeing a great guest experience.

Managing a short-term rental on Airbnb isn’t just about listing a property. It entails that your guests have a positive experience, that you are on top of bookings and property maintenance, and that you are up-to-date with regulations. As local laws in countries like Italy have mandated in-person check-ins, having a trusted co-host is helpful and essential.

If you want to scale your properties or manage compliance, understanding the role of an Airbnb co host could be the key partnership you want to run a more efficient and guest-friendly business.

Contents

What is an Airbnb Co Host?

An Airbnb co host is a person chosen by a listing owner to help manage a property. Co-hosts can be family members, friends, neighbors, or hired professionals. Their responsibilities are determined by the property owner and can span over many different tasks.

An Airbnb Co Host’s Possible Responsibilities

Guest Communication: Responding to inquiries, managing bookings, and addressing guest needs.
Calendar Management: Updating availability and pricing.
Cleaning Coordination: Scheduling and overseeing cleaning services.
Check-In/Check-Out: Facilitating guest arrivals and departures.
Reviews: Writing guest reviews post-stay.

Airbnb allows property managers the ability to assign specific permissions to co-hosts. This can range from full access to limited roles focused on guest messaging or calendar management.

Airbnb Co Host vs. Property Manager

While both co-hosts and property managers play important roles in property oversight, they have major differences in terms of rights and responsibilities. For example, listing control is done by the property owner/manager. Co hosts cannot list the property as their own but rather operate under the owner’s account.

Payment is also handled by the property managers, while co hosts cannot collect payment directly from guests.

There are also legal obligations that differ between the two, such as tax filing and legal assistance for services.

Why do Property Managers Use Airbnb Co Hosts?

Property managers who have multiple short-term rentals may require the services of an Airbnb co host to help manage their operations. By delegating tasks such as guest communication, cleaning coordination, and check-ins, property managers can focus on expanding their business while making sure that day-to-day operations run smoothly.

How Does a Co-Host Work on Airbnb?

Airbnb allows hosts to add up to 10 co-hosts per listing.

Here’s how to easily add a co-host:

Click on your Listings and select the desired property.
In the Listing editor, click on Your Space.
Select Co-hosts and then click Invite someone you know.
Enter the co-host’s email address or phone number and click Next.
Choose the appropriate permissions for the co-host and click Next.
Review the information and click Send (an invitation will be sent to your chosen co-host).

Important: Co-hosts must have an Airbnb account and complete identity verification to accept the invitation.

Permissions and Access Levels

Airbnb gives hosts the flexibility to assign specific permissions to co-hosts. You can assign Full Access, Calendar and Messaging Access, or Calendar Only. These permission levels allow property managers to delegate tasks while maintaining control over sensitive information and important functions.

Managing Responsibilities with Clear Boundaries

We highly recommend using an Airbnb co host agreement. This is a crucial and much-needed contract that clearly states the delegated responsibilities, expectations, and compensation of the co-host. Airbnb itself does not provide a standard contract; however, the platform highly suggests creating your agreement to cover all of the important aspects.

How to Find an Airbnb Co Host

The Airbnb Co Host Network is a platform made to connect property owners and managers with experienced co-hosts. The platform helps you connect with over 10,000 co-hosts across 10 countries and offers a range of professionals who can assist with hosting tasks.

To find a co-host on the Airbnb platform, simply enter your property’s location and review the available hosts nearby. You can look at co-host profiles, message potential co-hosts to discuss your needs and expectations, and once you’ve found a match, you simply invite them to be your Airbnb co host on your preferred listing.

Find out more about the Airbnb Co Host Network.

Is an Airbnb Co Host Worth It for Property Managers?

For short-term rental property managers, working with an Airbnb co host can be beneficial for a variety of reasons.

Apart from allowing property managers to concentrate on their properties and expand their businesses, partnering with a co-host also improves guest satisfaction. As a consequence, when you have high property ratings and you gain and maintain Superhost status, it only helps to attract more bookings to your property.

Keep in mind that higher ratings are usually associated with quick responses to guests and more personalized services. This is, of course, more achievable if you have a dedicated Airbnb co host to help.

Legal Obligations and Compliance

Another important point to be made is relevant to the changing legal requirements across countries. For example, in November 2024, Italy introduced a national ban on self-check-in systems. This includes key boxes and smart locks. Instead, in-person identity verification is needed for all short-term guests.

For property managers, this means that if you personally cannot meet your guest on-site and collect their IDs, then you are not compliant with local laws. Partnering with an Airbnb co host can fix this issue, as they can be assigned to meet all guests physically and verify check-ins.

To support these new requirements, there are useful tools available like Chekin and Check-in Scan. These can be used alongside co-hosts to securely register guest information, complete ID checks, and automate the required data submissions to local authorities. This makes it easier for managers to stay up-to-date with compliance while automating features.

Risks of Using an Airbnb Co host

Co-hosting has many benefits, but it also comes with some risks, which should be carefully considered. Miscommunication or unclear responsibilities are the most common errors. This further supports why having a formal agreement that outlines roles and responsibilities is so important. Disputes over revenue sharing are another common issue if expectations aren’t set.

To avoid problems, write an agreement and create a checklist of daily operations. This will help any co-host understand their role and align accountability for property managers.

Can a Co-Host Become a Superhost on Airbnb?

Achieving Superhost status on Airbnb is something all listings should aim for. To earn Superhost status, a listing must maintain a 4.8+ rating, a 90%+ response rate, and low cancellation rates over a year.

However, it’s important to note that only the listing owner can receive the Superhost title. Co-hosts do not earn the status themselves unless they host listings under their account.

Questions to Ask Before Signing a Co-Host Agreement

When it’s time to create your agreement, be mindful to ask clear questions and write your expectations. Ask the potential co-host how they handle last-minute guest emergencies or what property management tools they use to manage Airbnb calendars, bookings, and messages. Lastly, don’t forget to inquire about their preferred payment model.

Airbnb payments to co-hosts can be a % of booking revenue (commonly between 10–25%), a flat fee per booking, or a monthly rate. Bonuses for high guest ratings or helping achieve Superhost status can also be discussed as an extra incentive.

How to Choose a Good Airbnb Co Host

Once you’ve decided to enlist the help of a co-host, there are certain qualities that you should look for in a reliable partner.

✅ Familiar with local short-term rental laws and guest expectations
✅ Strong communicator with quick response times
✅ Flexible and reliable, especially during busy seasons
✅ Comfortable using digital tools for scheduling, guest messaging, and check-ins

Should You Add an Airbnb Co Host to Your Short-Term Rental Strategy?

Adding a co-host can be a smart move for property managers who want to scale their properties quickly while also maintaining high-quality services.

The pros are clear: co-hosts can handle day-to-day issues and operations and offer local support. They can even enhance your listing by providing Airbnb Experiences, such as guided tours or other local activities. As more regions adopt laws requiring in-person check-ins, having a local co-host offers a legal, scalable, and guest-friendly solution for managing your properties. Just remember to have a clear agreement, good communication, and trust to avoid issues later on.