By Chevie Bryson
June 9, 2020
A co-host can make all of your dreams come true. Well, maybe not all of your dreams, but a co-host is sure to make your life easier if you own a vacation rental or Airbnb property. In this article, I will explain to you the difference between a host and a co-host, how to add a co-host to your Airbnb account, and what a co-host can do for you through the Airbnb platform.
What is the difference between a host and a co-host?
A host is typically a person that owns the property or lives in the property that is listed on the Airbnb website. Under the Airbnb listing, the host is the primary account holder and reviews will show up under the host’s name.
A co-host (synonymously referred to as a property manager) assists the host to manage their property and guests in return for a percentage of the rental income.
How can you add a co-host to my listing to help manage my property?
Airbnb has made it extremely easy to add a co-host to your listing. You can add one in three simple steps:
- Go to your listings on airbnb.com
- Select the listing you want to edit
- Add a co-host
What can a co-host do for a host on the Airbnb platform?
There are several roles of a property manager, but for the sake of this article, I am going to explain what a co-host can do for a host through the Airbnb website only. Here are some of the key responsibilities of a property manager:
Manage Listings
The co-host can write the descriptions ensuring key information is provided, make the titles, and upload descriptive pictures of the listing
Communicate with Guests
There are multiple times that a guest needs to be communicated with. For example, a guest should receive a “Thank you for booking” and “Thank you for staying” emails. Furthermore, it is important to communicate with the guests instructions on how to enter the Airbnb, the wifi password, exiting communication (what to do with the trash and linens, etc.), and a request for a rating. Not to mention, the guests may run into issues that will need to be addressed while staying at an Airbnb. A good vacation rental property management team will be able to effectively handle all communication with guests.
Manage Pricing
This is one of the most important roles of the property manager! A co-host will closely monitor fluctuations in prices in vacation rentals in your area to accurately price the nightly rate of your rental. Many things affect the nightly rate such as time of the year and events in the area. The property manager will be able to keep track of these things to ensure that you are receiving the highest daily revenue on your property. One tool that is great to use for pricing is AirDNA. The website uses sophisticated technology that analyzes the data of vacation rentals in your area.
Manage Reservations
A property manager can accept or decline reservation requests through the Airbnb platform using guidelines set up by the host. Furthermore, it is their responsibility to manage the reservation calendar and ensure your property is booked as much as possible. 
Manage Cleaning and Repairs
Unfortunately, it is inevitable that things are going to break or need repair on your property. Co-hosts have a network of trusted people they can use for repairs. The co-host can work to schedule and manage the repairs. Furthermore, a co-host can handle the management of your cleaning teams. Managing cleaning for properties is a lot of work! By letting a co-host manage the cleaning for your property you will alleviate a lot of work for yourself. The co-host can coordinate times that cleaning needs to be done and supervise to ensure the cleaning is up to top “sparkling clean” standards. Having a “sparkling clean” rating will increase bookings for your rental. Seasoned hosts from Airbnb state “A spotless space keeps guests happy and earns great reviews.”
RELATED:
- 11 Hacks To Save Time on Your Airbnb Cleaning Checklist
- Services offered by Breeze Co-Host property management company
In conclusion, the key takeaways from this article are to understand what a co-host is and the services provided by a property management team. If you have Airbnbs or vacation rentals, a property manager is a great option for you to free up your time, increase your revenue, and ensure your guests stay happy.
