Airbnb Co-Host: complete guide for owners and candidates

Airbnb Co-Host: definition and exact role

A co-host is a person invited by an owner to help manage their Airbnb listing. This can be a close friend, a trusted acquaintance, or a professional paid for this service.

The listing holder can invite up to 10 co-hosts per property. Each one receives specific permissions set by the owner. The primary host remains the holder by default.

A co-host handles three main categories of tasks:

• Listing management: title, description, photos, calendar, pricing
• Guest communication: messages, check-in, questions, issues
• Reservation follow-up: acceptances, modifications, damage management

The role is defined by the owner according to their needs. If you are new to the platform, check our beginner owner guide to Airbnb to understand the basics before delegating.

What can a co-host do? The 3 access levels

Airbnb offers three permission levels for a co-host. You choose what they can view and modify on your listing. Each level corresponds to a type of relationship.

The listing holder remains responsible for all co-hosts. You can modify permissions at any time. The change does not affect payouts already in progress.

How much to pay a co-host? The 4 payout methods

Airbnb offers four ways to share your earnings with a co-host. The method depends on the nature of the help provided. Only the listing holder can configure the payout.

1. 1
   Cleaning fee only

   You pass the cleaning fee charged to the guest on to the co-host. Ideal if the co-host handles cleaning only.

2. 2
   Cleaning fee + percentage

   You pass the cleaning fee plus a percentage per booking (excluding cleaning). For a co-host who handles cleaning and check-in.

3. 3
   Percentage per booking

   A percentage of net revenue (with or without cleaning fee). For a co-host who handles a broader scope.

4. 4
   Fixed amount per booking

   A fixed sum paid per stay. For a simple flat-rate arrangement.

Airbnb does not publish an official range. The market has aligned on 10 to 30% of net revenue per booking. The average is around 20%, depending on the scope of tasks assigned.

The co-host has 14 days to confirm the payout proposal. Once accepted, the payout arrives the day after the guest checks in. The co-host receives their own tax document for their earnings, to be declared separately. For details on taxation, see our guide Airbnb Taxation.

Calculator: how much will your co-host cost you?

Compare the four payout methods on your real figures. Enter the average nightly rate, booked nights and cleaning fee. The calculator shows the co-host's monthly pay and your net income for each method.

Are you hesitating between hiring an independent co-host and entrusting your property to a professional concierge service? Conciergerie Vesna manages your bookings as a team, without dependence on a single person.

How to add a co-host to your listing

Adding a co-host is done from your Airbnb dashboard in a few minutes. The invited person must accept and verify their identity. Until they do, they have no access.

The full procedure takes seven steps:

1. Go to Listings on your dashboard
2. Select the relevant listing
3. In the editing tool, click on Co-hosts
4. Click on Invite a co-host
5. Enter their phone number or email address
6. Select permissions from the 3 levels
7. Confirm and send the invitation

The invited co-host receives an SMS or email. They must create an Airbnb account if necessary and verify their identity. Access becomes active after acceptance.

Airbnb Co-Host Network: find a local pro

The Airbnb Co-Host Network is an official directory launched in 2024. It lists experienced professional co-hosts in your area. The service is available in France.

• Verified co-hosts: high average rating, low cancellation rate, confirmed hosting experience
• Available in France: Paris, Nice, Cannes, Antibes, Lyon, Marseille and other cities
• Detailed profiles: services offered, guest ratings, years of experience
• Direct contact: Airbnb messaging to discuss before committing

To find a co-host on the network, five steps are enough:

1. Go to airbnb.fr/host/co-hosts
2. Indicate the area where your property is located
3. Compare available profiles
4. Send a message to 2 or 3 co-hosts
5. Choose and invite the selected co-host

On the Côte d'Azur, the Airbnb Co-Host Network offers profiles in Nice, Cannes and Antibes. Local competition remains low. Ratings are still being built up on newer profiles.

How to choose a reliable co-host

Choosing a co-host is not a decision to take lightly. They will have access to your property, your guests and potentially your payments. Here are the criteria that truly matter.

• Confirmed rental experience: ask for their ratings as a host or co-host
• Geographic availability: they must be able to intervene within 30 minutes in an emergency
• Proven responsiveness: Airbnb response rate above 90% within 24 h
• Pay transparency: written agreement, not a verbal one
• Human compatibility: a video call avoids most conflicts

Co-host vs concierge service: what are the differences?

A co-host and a concierge service address different needs. The first is occasional support, the second is a professional team. Here is how to decide.

Airbnb has closed the option to create new concierge teams on its platform. Concierge services now operate as external providers. They often use the co-host status with full access.

To go further, see our complete guide on Airbnb concierge services. Our article on Airbnb rental management also details what a professional team does day to day. On the ground, our Conciergerie Airbnb à Nice supports owners in Nice, Villefranche, Beausoleil, Cagnes and Saint-Laurent-du-Var.

How to become an Airbnb co-host (candidate side)

Do you want to help an owner manage their Airbnb? Becoming a co-host is open to everyone, with no qualifications required. Pay depends on your agreement with the owner.

1. Create an Airbnb account and verify your identity
2. Be invited by an owner (phone or email)
3. Accept the invitation from your inbox
4. Define the pay with the owner (4 possible methods)
5. Set up your payout method in your profile

To join the Airbnb professional co-host network, stricter conditions apply:

• Have confirmed hosting experience on Airbnb
• Maintain a high average guest rating
• Show a low cancellation rate
• Apply from your host dashboard

The co-host is taxed on the amounts received. Airbnb provides a separate tax document. For your declaration, see our guide Airbnb Taxation.

Frequently asked questions

How does an Airbnb co-host work?

A co-host is invited by the owner to help manage their listing. They receive specific permissions (3 levels) and can be paid according to 4 methods. The holder remains the primary host.

How much does a co-host cost on Airbnb?

Airbnb does not publish an official range. The market aligns on 10 to 30% of net revenue per booking. The average is around 20%, depending on the tasks assigned.

How do you become an Airbnb co-host?

1. Create an Airbnb account with identity verification
2. Be invited by an owner or apply on the Co-Host Network
3. Accept the invitation and negotiate the pay
4. Set up your payout method in your profile

How do you add a co-host on Airbnb?

Go to Listings, select the property, open the Co-hosts tab, click Invite a co-host and enter their phone number or email. Choose the permissions then send. The co-host must accept and verify their identity.

What is the difference between a co-host and a concierge service?

A co-host is generally one person (a friend, neighbour or independent professional). They have flexible permissions on the listing. A concierge service is a structured team with a commercial agreement. The co-host is more flexible, the concierge service more continuous.