Airbnb co-hosting: How does it work?

What is Airbnb co-hosting?

Airbnb co-hosting is a service in which a designated co-host assists with managing an Airbnb property, helping the primary host/property owner to handle things like guest communication, cleaning and bookings.

Airbnb co-hosts can be paid professionals, employees or simply friends and family. When a co-host is nominated for an Airbnb listing, they gain either full or partial administrative access to that listing, allowing them to manage it on behalf of the primary host.

Can I have a co-host on Airbnb?

You most certainly can. Adding a co-host is as simple as navigating to Listings > Listing editor > Your space > Co-hosts, then inviting the relevant person and setting appropriate permissions.

How does Airbnb co-hosting work?

Depending on the permissions you set, your co-host will have some or all of the administrative control that you have over your Airbnb listing, allowing them to respond to booking inquiries, message guests, edit your listing, and change your rates, availability and booking settings.

In this guide we’ll take a closer look at Airbnb co-hosts, to understand how they work, and whether you could benefit from the assistance of one.

How to start co-hosting an Airbnb: Challenges and solutions

Hiring an Airbnb co-host is not a silver bullet for the challenges of managing an Airbnb. In fact, hiring a co-host can present its own unique set of challenges. But with the right property management software, you can avoid these common issues altogether.

• Dependence on availability: When you rely on a single co-host, things can become busy and complex when they aren’t available. 

Solution: The best tools can automate bookings, guest communication and check-ins, reducing reliance on a single co-host’s schedule.

• Co-host commission costs: While the best are very good at what they do, professional co-hosts don’t come cheap, taking up to 30% of booking revenue.

Solution: A property management system like Little Hotelier offers a more cost-effective, long-term solution without ongoing commission fees.

• Limited scalability: A single co-host can only do so much, and may struggle to keep up as your Airbnb business grows.

Solution: Little Hotelier supports multiple properties, enabling seamless management and expansion without needing additional co-hosts.

• Inconsistent guest experience: Co-hosts can have their own style that is different to yours, which can affect the consistency of the guest experience.

Solution: The automated messaging, booking synchronisation and housekeeping management that a smart tool can power will ensure a consistently high level of service that wows your guests.

• Risk of mismanagement: When you hire a co-host, you cede control to another party who may not bring the care or passion you do, which could result in issues.

Solution: Little Hotelier’s centralised dashboard offers better oversight and accountability by granting you full visibility over bookings, revenue and property performance.

Airbnb co-hosting services: co-host vs software

As outlined above, technology can enhance or entirely take care of a surprising amount of Airbnb co-hosting duties. So when should you choose a human co-host, and when should you lean on a smart Airbnb management platform?

Choosing a co-host

Choose a human co-host if:

• You prefer a human touch for guest communication.
• You don’t want to manage daily operations yourself.
• Your Airbnb is in a location where local knowledge is crucial.
• You’re seeking to completely hand over the management of your Airbnb to someone else (and you’re willing to pay for it).

Choosing a property management software

Choose smart software if:

• You want to scale your Airbnb business efficiently.
• You list on multiple platforms (Airbnb, Booking.com, Vrbo, etc.).
• You need automation for bookings, messaging and pricing.
• You want full control over your Airbnb with lower long-term costs.

Airbnb co-hosting business: The hybrid approach

One compelling alternative to hiring a co-host is the hybrid approach, which sees you utilising technology to organise and manage the extra human resources you need.

Some tasks, like cleaning and maintenance, can’t be solved by tech. But instead of paying a co-host’s often high commission, you could instead use property management software to automate whatever you can, including booking management and guest comms, then hire cleaners, gardeners and maintenance professionals for any on-the-ground tasks.

It’s an approach that can allow you to maintain control, save money and increase your operational efficiency.

What the property management software handles

• Booking automation: Booking requests can be automatically accepted when they meet set criteria, and those dates can be blocked out on other booking channels automatically.
• Guest communication: Send automated messages at key moments in the reservation timeline, and set up autoreplies to common guest questions.
• Pricing: Use dynamic pricing technology to automatically set your rates at a level that optimises both bookings and revenue.
• Analytics: Automatically collect, analyse and draw insights from data that you can use to enhance your Airbnb strategy moving forward.

What the local service providers manage

• Cleaning: Perhaps the most important of hands-on tasks, securing the service of a reliable, high quality cleaner is absolutely essential.
• Maintenance: Local maintenance workers can take care of all manner of odd jobs, from mowing the lawn to fixing leaky taps.
• Check-ins (if required): Some properties may require someone to meet the guest and check them in.

Ever since using Little Hotelier, the property has seen a significant 25% increase in direct bookings. You can see this smile on my face. I am super happy with it

Errol Best,

Owner

Best E Villas

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Is co-hosting Airbnb profitable?

If you find yourself leaning more towards engaging Airbnb co-hosting services, will you still make money on your Airbnb? Yes you will, but exactly how much will depend on the shape of your Airbnb co-hosting agreement.

How much can an Airbnb co-host make? It varies, but you can expect to hand over anywhere from 10-30% of booking revenue, with the average sitting somewhere around the 20% figure.

This may not be a bad deal when a co-host can handle 80% of daily operations, freeing you up to work on higher value tasks, like scaling your Airbnb business. A talented co-host will also bring skills and expertise in revenue generation strategies like pricing optimisation, earning more bookings and attracting return customers.

Another hybrid option is to hire a co-host and use a smart tool to automate much of their work. This may allow you to negotiate a better  commission percentage, and can help you make more money through the use of smart pricing tools.

One such tool: Little Hotelier, which is used by Airbnb hosts and co-hosts around the world to enhance the operational efficiency and revenue-generating ability of their properties.