The Ultimate Guide to Airbnb Co-Hosting: What It Is, How Much You Can Make, and Tips to Succeed

Are you looking to cash in on the Airbnb craze but don’t have a spare room or property? Or maybe you have a place but don’t want to deal with all the nitty-gritty guest interactions, maintenance issues, and constant booking updates? Well, have no fear – co-hosting is here!

In this guide, we’ll break down what co-hosting is, how much money you can make, and the must-know tips to make sure you’re not left high and dry (or with a leaking faucet).

What is Co-hosting?

Let’s start with the basics. A co-host is basically your Airbnb sidekick. The Robin to your Batman. The Chewbacca to your Han Solo. This person helps you manage your short-term rental property. They can handle everything – from setting up listings and dealing with bookings to answering guest questions and making sure the coffee machine doesn’t break.

Basically, they’re the Swiss Army knife of Airbnb hosting.

Co-hosts can also deal with maintenance issues, cleaners, pricing, photography – pretty much anything you’d need to keep your Airbnb running smoothly. The level of involvement is entirely up to you. If you just need someone to handle guest messages, no problem. But if you want them to take care of everything, from picking out furniture to fixing a broken toilet, they can do that too.

Co-hosting on Airbnb isn’t a new thing. It’s actually been around since the company launched in 2007 – but it wasn’t always this easy. Back in the day, property managers offered short-term rental services for a hefty 20-35% of your revenue. Ouch! Now, thanks to Airbnb’s recent update, hosts can directly connect with co-hosts through their platform, making it easier than ever to find the perfect sidekick.

How is Co-hosting Useful to Property Owners?

So, why would you want a co-host in the first place? Great question!

1. You’re a newbie to short-term rentals: Maybe you’ve never hosted an Airbnb before, and the thought of picking out furniture, writing descriptions, and dealing with guest complaints makes your head spin. That’s where a co-host comes in to save the day (and your sanity).

2. You’re an out-of-state investor: If you live far away from your rental property, a co-host can handle the day-to-day stuff like maintenance, ordering supplies, and taking care of problems as they come up. No more long-distance landlord headaches!

3. You’re local but not into the daily grind: Maybe you’re local to your property, but dealing with guests day in and day out isn’t your idea of fun. A co-host can take care of everything while you sit back and enjoy the fruits of your labor (preferably with a cocktail in hand).

Co-hosting can be a game changer for property owners who want to make more money than they would by renting long-term but don’t have the time, energy, or expertise to manage the entire Airbnb process.

How Much Do Airbnb Co-hosts Make?

Now, let’s get down to the $$$. How much can you really make as a co-host?

Co-host fees typically range from 10% to 35% of the net revenue from bookings. And by "net revenue," we mean the money you get after Airbnb takes their cut and the taxes are paid. In other words, co-hosts usually take a percentage of the actual money you make after fees.

Here’s a breakdown:

• If you’re helping out with guest interactions, managing cleaners, and handling maintenance, co-hosts typically charge between 15% to 22%. For example, if a property generates $4,500 per month after fees, a co-host could earn $833 with a 18.5% fee.

• If you’re only doing something like messaging guests, you could earn a little less – around 10% to 15%. For that same $4,500 property, that’s around $563 per month.

If you’re the superhero co-host who’s also setting up listings, picking furniture, and doing everything else in between, you might want to charge a flat fee (around $400 to $700 for setting up a listing). Don’t be afraid to ask for what you're worth, especially if you’re going above and beyond.

Top 5 Tips for Successful Co-Hosting

So, you’re thinking about becoming a co-host or hiring one. Great! But before you dive in, here are some tips to help you avoid rookie mistakes:

1. Airbnb is a Marketplace – Not a Babysitter: Airbnb is like a dating app for co-hosts and hosts – they just introduce you, but it’s up to you to make the relationship work. They don’t provide pricing guides, contracts, or insurance, so you’ll need to figure those things out on your own.

2. Invite-Only (For Now): Co-hosting is invite-only in most places, but if you’ve got experience, you can apply to join the program. No worries – there’s still plenty of opportunity!

3. Get a Solid Agreement in Place: This is crucial. You need to have a clear agreement about who handles what. For example, who pays for damages when a guest breaks a lamp or cranks up the heat to 85°F in the middle of a snowstorm (we’ve all been there). Trust me, it’s better to have this figured out before things go south.

4. Co-hosts Don’t Have to Live Locally: Good news! You don’t have to live in the same area as the property to be a co-host. You can manage properties in different zip codes without any problems. This is perfect for those of you looking to expand your co-hosting empire.

5. Talk to Multiple Co-hosts: Co-hosts offer a variety of services, and not all are created equal. Some may be super organized, while others might leave you scrambling for answers at midnight. Ask questions and find the one who fits your needs (and personality) best.

Wrapping Up

Co-hosting on Airbnb is a win-win situation for property owners who want to make money without handling all the day-to-day headaches. Whether you’re a host looking for help or a co-host looking to get started, the opportunities are endless. Just make sure you have a clear agreement in place and pick the right co-host for your needs.

If this guide was helpful (and hopefully a little entertaining), hit that like button, share it with your friends, and let me know in the comments if you want to see a video on the automation we use for our short-term rental business.

Until next time, this is Kevin – your Airbnb sidekick – signing off. Peace!