Simplify your Airbnb management with a co-host!
Ever wished you could be in two places at once while renting out your place? With the "co-host" system, you can. Here's everything you need to know.
Running the whole organisation side of your Bnb rental can be a real headache. Renting out your place may well earn you money, but it also calls for a well-oiled routine (welcoming guests, key handover, cleaning and so on).
There are days when you'd love to be able to be in two places at once so you could handle it all more easily. What if we told you that's possible? Today we're looking at how “co-hosts” work: your best ally for your BnB rental.
What is an Airbnb co-host?First, let's look at the word itself: co-host. Does it make you think of the word teammate? Bingo! A co-host is a partner whose job is to support you in managing your rental and your guests. But who can be a co-host? There's no limit: all you need is mutual agreement.
It's therefore strongly advised to ask someone you can count on (family, a friend, a neighbour and so on). If nobody around you can take on that role, you can probably find someone through the Airbnb Community forum.
The co-host's dutiesYou remain the main manager and the co-host is your right hand in your Airbnb rental. Their job: to stand in for you on the tasks you can't carry out yourself. Your co-host can also help you with:
- Creating and updating the listing
- Preparing the property (restocking supplies, cleaning, repairs, bedding and so on)
- Welcoming and assisting guests (key handover, questions, problems and so on)
- Communication and managing guest reviews
- Managing bookings
Preparing the property is the task that generates the most back-and-forth between you and your co-host: who is cleaning on Saturday, what is missing from the cupboard, the photo of the stained sofa. If you are still hesitating to hand over this part, CleanClac has done the maths on cleaning yourself versus delegating, and its app shares the same checklist between the manager and the person who cleans.
To give someone co-host status, simply add them to your Airbnb listing by following this tutorial.With a co-host, managing your rentals becomes much simpler. That said, it's essential to choose someone you can trust in order to avoid any dispute. If you're struggling to find a co-host worthy of the name, or if you'd rather call on a professional, we have just the solution for you: BnB property management companies.
Take a look at our articles on two well-known BnB property management companies: GuestReady and Welkeys!
Frequently asked questions
Who can be an Airbnb co-host? Anyone, as long as both sides agree. In practice it is usually someone close to you: a family member, a friend, a neighbour. The only criterion that really matters is trust, because this person will handle your keys, your property and your bookings.
How do I add a co-host to my listing? You do it straight from your Airbnb listing, and the platform provides a step-by-step tutorial. Granting this status does not transfer the listing: it stays yours. You can also remove the access if the arrangement no longer suits you.
Do I stay in charge of my rental? Yes. A co-host is there to back you up on the tasks you cannot handle yourself. You remain the main host, and you decide what you delegate.
What can I delegate to a co-host? Creating and updating the listing, getting the place ready (cleaning, linen, restocking supplies, small repairs), welcoming guests and handing over the keys, messaging and reviews, and managing bookings. Agree on that scope before the first arrival rather than in the middle of the season.
I don't know anyone nearby, where do I find a co-host? The Airbnb community forum is the first place to look: hosts talk to each other there and some offer exactly this kind of help. Have a few real conversations before you give access to your listing. A badly chosen co-host will cost you more time than they save you.
Co-host or property management company? If you have someone close by who is reliable and available, a co-host is enough and commits you to nothing. If not, a specialist management company takes over within a professional framework. The real criterion is not the label, it is how dependable the person opening the door in your place will be.
Before you give anyone access to your listing, here are the two kinds of backup available and what really sets them apart.
| Comparison point | Co-host | Short-stay management company |
|---|---|---|
| Who it is | Someone close to you (family, friend, neighbour) or a host met on the Airbnb community forum | A professional provider, such as GuestReady or Welkeys |
| How you set it up | You add the person to your Airbnb listing, following the platform’s tutorial | You call on a specialised management company |
| Scope of tasks | Listing, preparing the property, welcoming guests and handing over keys, reviews, bookings | The handover happens within a professional framework |
| Commitment | No commitment to a third party | You go through a professional |
| What it takes to work | Someone you trust, reliable and available | The reliability of whoever opens the door in your place |
