Airbnb Co-host: What It Is, How It Works, and How to Become One
An Airbnb co-host is a person who helps a property owner manage their listing: responding to guests, coordinating check-ins, overseeing cleaning, and handling reviews. The owner retains ownership of the listing and can assign specific permissions. This role is increasingly common in Italy, where many hosts prefer to delegate operational management without transferring property ownership.
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01 — What a Co-host Actually Does
A co-host is not a simple assistant: they have direct access to the Airbnb listing and can operate on it with the permissions the owner chooses to grant. Airbnb distinguishes three levels of access.
The Three Permission Levels
Level 1 — Messagingthe co-host can read and reply to guest messages, manage booking requests, and send pre- and post-stay communications. They cannot modify prices or availability.
Level 2 — Operationalincludes everything in Level 1, plus the ability to manage the calendar, adjust rates, accept or decline bookings, and access house instructions.
Level 3 — Full Managementthe co-host can do almost everything the owner can: edit the listing, manage refunds, respond to reviews, and access earnings (if the owner permits).
Percorso
Livelli di permesso per il co-host Airbnb
Livello 1 — Messaggistica
10-15% sul fatturatoLegge e risponde ai messaggi degli ospiti, gestisce le richieste di prenotazione
Livello 2 — Operativo
15-20% sul fatturatoGestisce calendario, tariffe, accettazione prenotazioni e istruzioni per la casa
Livello 3 — Gestione completa
20-25% sul fatturatoModifica annuncio, gestisce rimborsi, risponde alle recensioni, accede ai guadagni
Dato
In Italy, according to 2025 industry data, approximately 38% of hosts with more than 3 listings use at least one co-host for day-to-day operational management.
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02 — How Compensation Works
Airbnb does not handle payments between hosts and co-hosts: the financial arrangement is private and must be defined before the collaboration begins. There are two main models.
Percentage of Revenue
The most common model: the co-host receives a percentage of booked nights, typically between 10% and 25% depending on the workload. Those who handle only messaging tend to sit around 10–15%; those who also manage physical check-ins, cleaning, and maintenance can reach 20–25%.
Fixed Monthly Fee
A more predictable alternative for both parties. The co-host receives a fixed fee regardless of occupancy. This works well for owners with stable high seasonal occupancy, less so for those with irregular peaks.
Attenzione
Whatever model is chosen, it is advisable to formalise the agreement in writing. In Italy, a co-host managing multiple apartments on behalf of third parties may be classified as a real estate agent or property manager: verify the tax situation with an accountant before getting started.
| Model | Advantage | Disadvantage |
|---|---|---|
| Percentage of revenue | Aligned incentives | Variable income |
| Fixed monthly fee | Predictability | Disconnected from occupancy |
| Mixed (fixed + bonus) | Balance | More complex to manage |
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03 — How to Become an Airbnb Co-host: Concrete Steps
Becoming an Airbnb co-host does not require specific certifications, but it does require precise skills and a methodical approach. Here is the most effective path for those starting from scratch or looking to scale.
Step 1 — Build Your Airbnb Profile
Even if you do not have your own apartment to rent out, you can create an Airbnb profile as a guest and accumulate positive reviews. A verified profile with a real photo and a detailed description increases the confidence of owners looking for co-hosts.
Step 2 — Gain Operational Experience
The fastest way is to start with a single apartment, even on unfavourable economic terms, to learn the processes: calendar management, guest communication, coordinating cleaning, handling technical issues. Six months of hands-on experience is worth more than any course.
Step 3 — Define Your Services
Decide what you offer and what you do not. A co-host specialising in messaging and rate optimisation is different from one offering full management with physical check-in. Specialising allows you to work on multiple properties in parallel.
Step 4 — Find Your First Clients
The most effective channels in Italy:
- Local Airbnb host Facebook groups
- Property manager forums and communities (e.g. dedicated LinkedIn groups)
- Word of mouth among property owners in your area
- Direct outreach to hosts with recent negative reviews about communication (they often need support)
Step 5 — Structure Your Processes
With more than 3–4 apartments to manage, manual message handling becomes the primary bottleneck. A co-host managing 10 apartments receives an average of 40–60 messages per day across booking requests, pre-arrival questions, and in-stay communications.
Dato
Messaggi gestiti manualmente vs con automazione (10 appartamenti)
Tip
Automating responses to frequent messages (check-in times, Wi-Fi instructions, parking) can reduce time spent on communication by 60–70%, freeing up hours for higher-value activities such as pricing optimisation.
If you want to understand how to structure this process, the article on how to automate Airbnb guest messages is a good starting point.
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04 — Tools That Make the Difference
A professional co-host does not work manually. The right tools determine how many apartments you can manage without sacrificing quality.
Channel Manager and PMS
If you manage apartments across multiple platforms (Airbnb, Booking.com, VRBO), a channel manager is essential for synchronising calendars and prices. Smoobu, Lodgify, and Hostaway are among the most widely used in Italy for mid-sized portfolios.
Guest Communication
This is the area where co-hosts lose the most time. Responding to messages around the clock in multiple languages is physically impossible without support. Rule-based solutions (automated messages triggered by predefined events) cover simple cases, but cannot handle out-of-pattern questions.
A genuine conversational solution — such as Verto AI — works on WhatsApp, understands text, photos, and voice notes in 25 languages, and integrates natively with Smoobu to read booking data in real time. It does not replace the co-host, but it eliminates the repetitive work that takes up the majority of hours.
"The problem is not replying to messages
— it's replying to the same messages a hundred times a month in three languages at 11 pm." — A common experience among co-hosts managing 8+ apartments
Pricing and Occupancy
Dynamic pricing tools such as PriceLabs or Wheelhouse analyse local demand and suggest optimal rates. For a co-host looking to differentiate, offering rate optimisation as well is a service with high perceived value for the owner.
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05 — Scaling from Co-host to Property Manager
Many co-hosts start with 1–2 apartments and within 12–18 months find themselves managing 10–20. It is a natural progression, but it brings different challenges.
When Manual Management No Longer Holds Up
The typical breaking point is around 7–8 apartments managed alone. At that stage, time spent on guest communication exceeds 3–4 hours a day, making it difficult to maintain service quality across all properties.
There are two options: hire staff or automate repetitive processes. The second option has lower fixed costs and scales better.
The Structure of a 15–20 Apartment Operation
- Channel manager configured with dynamic pricing rules
- Guest communication automated for frequently asked questions
- Cleaning team with real-time calendar access
- Standardised check-in and check-out process
- Monthly reporting system for owners
- Written contracts with each owner
Dato
A co-host managing 15 apartments at an average nightly rate of €120, with 70% occupancy and a 15% commission, generates approximately €68,000 in annual revenue. With an efficient operational structure, net margins sit between 40% and 55%.
To understand how the various available management tools compare, the compare page contains detailed analyses of the main solutions on the market.
If you are evaluating how to automate guest communication without losing the personal touch that sets a good co-host apart, explore Verto AI's features or check the plans and pricing to see whether it fits your cost structure.
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Conclusion: Start with a Process, Not a Tool
Becoming an Airbnb co-host is accessible, but scaling requires method. The quality leap does not happen when you land your first client — it happens when you build processes that hold up as the number of apartments grows.
The first concrete step: define exactly which services you offer, put your agreements with owners in writing, and identify where you lose the most time in daily management. It is often guest communication — and that is where the fastest improvements are to be found.
If you already manage 5 or more apartments and want to see how much time you can recover by automating messaging on WhatsApp, try Verto AI free for 14 days with no credit card required. Setup in under an hour, native integration with the leading channel managers.
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Frequently Asked Questions About Airbnb Co-hosting
Does Airbnb Pay the Co-host Directly?
No. Airbnb does not handle payments to co-hosts: the fee is agreed privately between host and co-host. The owner receives payment from Airbnb and then transfers the agreed share to the co-host according to the terms and timing set out in their agreement.
How Many Apartments Can a Co-host Manage Alone?
It depends on the services offered and the tools used. With manual management, the practical limit is 5–7 apartments. With a channel manager and communication automation tools, it is possible to manage 15–20 apartments while maintaining high quality standards.
Does a Co-host Need to Register as Self-employed?
If the activity is occasional and fees remain below the €5,000 annual threshold, in many cases it is not required. Above that threshold, or if the activity is ongoing, opening a tax position is generally required. The situation varies case by case: consulting an accountant is always advisable.
How Do You Find the First Owner Willing to Collaborate?
The most effective channels are local Airbnb host Facebook groups, word of mouth among property owners, and direct outreach to hosts showing negative reviews about communication or slow response times. Presenting a clear operational plan and references — even from non-Airbnb experience — significantly increases the chances of success.
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