How Airbnb Co-Hosting Works in Australia (& Should You Do It?)

Hosting an Airbnb can be both enjoyable and financially rewarding, but it also comes with a significant amount of daily responsibilities. 

If you find yourself overwhelmed with the tasks of managing your listing or simply want to enhance your guests’ experience, Airbnb co-hosting could be the perfect solution, offering relief from these daily tasks. 

Let’s take a look at what this means and how you could level up your short-term rental with this business model. 

What is an Airbnb Co-Host?

An Airbnb co-host assists the primary host with the hosting duties. This can be a family member, friend, or even a professional property manager assisting the main Airbnb host. 

Co-hosts are in charge of various aspects of the listing, such as communicating with guests, updating the listing details, managing the calendar, coordinating cleaning and maintenance, and welcoming guests upon arrival.

Benefits of a Co-Host

Part of the perks of enlisting the help of a co-host is that you can offload time-heavy tasks that would otherwise weigh you down. In the end, splitting the workload means you can focus on areas of your little business that need more attention.

Here are a few examples:

• More time for the primary host to focus on other things
• Better guest experience through quick communication and help
• Potential increase in bookings and income through better listing management
• Local co-hosts can provide on-site assistance and local recommendations, enhancing the guest experience

Airbnb Co-Host responsibilities

Co-hosts can do many things to help manage your Airbnb listing on behalf of the listing owner. Some of the critical tasks you can offload include: 

1. Communicate with guests before, during and after their stay
2. Update and optimise the listing details and photos
3. Manage the calendar and availability
4. Coordinate cleaning and maintenance
5. Welcome guests and facilitate check-in and check-out
6. Address guest concerns and fix issues quickly
7. Give local recommendations and make sure they have a great guest experience

How to Choose The Right Co-Host

Choosing the right co-host is vital to a successful partnership. When looking for potential candidates, consider appointing family members due to the established level of trust and the possibility of smoothing the learning curve by clearly explaining expectations.

We recommend looking for someone who: 

• Share your values and commitment to great hospitality
• Has good communication and problem-solving skills
• Is reliable, trustworthy and responsive
• Has customer service or property management experience (if applicable)
• Lives nearby or has access to your Airbnb property

Above all, take the time to interview potential co-hosts and discuss your expectations, communication style, and task division to ensure a good fit.

Creating a Strong Co-Hosting Agreement: A Key to Success

Once you have the right co-host up your sleeve, you need to set up an explicit Airbnb co-host agreement outlining the terms of your partnership. This agreement should include:

• Detailed description of each party’s responsibilities
• Compensation (fixed rate or percentage of booking income)
• Reimbursement process for Co-Host expenses
• Communication protocols and response time
• Confidentiality and non-disclosure
• Termination conditions and notice period

Having a written agreement prevents misunderstandings and makes for a smoother relationship.

Note: We always recommend seeking legal advice on official agreements and documentation to ensure full compliance and protection. 

How to Get the Most Out of Co-Hosting

1. Communicate with your co-host regularly to stay on the same page and fix issues quickly.
2. Give your co-host a comprehensive guide to your listing, including house rules, check-in/out procedures and local recommendations.
3. Ask your co-host to bring new ideas and suggestions for improving the guest experience.
4. Share positive guest reviews with your co-host to celebrate and motivate
5. Review and update your co-hosting agreement as needed to make sure it keeps working for both parties
6. Consider professional vacation rental property management services to streamline operations and enhance guest satisfaction

Key Takeaways

• Airbnb co-hosting can help busy hosts manage their listings effectively and provide a better guest experience.
• The benefits of having a co-host include more time for the primary host, improved guest experience, potential increase in bookings and income, and local assistance for guests.
• Co-host responsibilities include guest communication, listing management, calendar coordination, cleaning and maintenance, and guest assistance.
• Choosing the right co-host is crucial and involves considering factors like shared values, communication skills, reliability, and experience.
• An explicit co-hosting agreement is essential to outline responsibilities, compensation, communication protocols, and termination conditions.
• Effective communication with the co-host, providing comprehensive information about the listing, seeking input for improvements, and regular agreement reviews are essential for successful co-hosting.
• Professional vacation rental property management services can streamline operations and enhance guest satisfaction.

FAQs

What is an Airbnb co-host?

An Airbnb co-host is someone who shares hosting responsibilities with the primary host of a listing. They can be a family member, friend, neighbour, or even a professional property manager. 

Co-hosts help manage various aspects of the listing, such as communicating with guests, updating listing details, managing the calendar, coordinating cleaning and maintenance, and welcoming guests.

What are the benefits of having a co-host?

Having a co-host offers several advantages, including:

• More free time for the primary host to focus on other commitments
• Improved guest experience through prompt communication and assistance
• Potential increase in bookings and revenue due to enhanced listing management
• Shared workload and responsibilities, reducing stress for the primary host

What responsibilities can a co-host take on?

Co-hosts can handle a wide range of tasks, such as:

• Communicating with guests before, during, and after their stay
• Updating and optimising listing details and photos
• Managing the booking calendar and availability
• Coordinating cleaning and maintenance services
• Welcoming guests and facilitating check-in and check-out
• Addressing guest concerns and resolving issues promptly
• Providing local recommendations to ensure a memorable guest experience

What should be included in a co-hosting agreement?

We recommend including the following details in your agreement:

• Detailed description of each party’s responsibilities
• Compensation structure (fixed rate or percentage of booking revenue)
• Reimbursement process for expenses incurred by the Co-Host
• Communication protocols and response time expectations
• Confidentiality and non-disclosure clauses
• Termination conditions and notice period.

How much do Airbnb co-hosts typically earn?

Airbnb co-host fees can vary significantly based on their responsibilities, the size of the property, and location. On average, co-hosts charge between 7-50% of the nightly rate without cleaning the rental property. 

If a co-host is responsible for everything from check-in and check-out to managing guest experience and cleaning, they could charge up to 25%. Some may also receive a flat monthly fee or charge an additional cleaning fee.

How do I add a co-host to my Airbnb listing?

1. Go to your listing on Airbnb and click on “Co-Hosts” in the menu
2. Enter your Co-Host’s email address and select their access permissions (Full access, Calendar and inbox access, or Calendar access)
3. Add a personalised message to your invite and click “Send.”

Your Co-Host will receive an invitation to accept the role. They will need an Airbnb account to accept the invitation.