What should an Airbnb co-host agreement include?
Write down who does what, how your fee is worked out and paid, who pays which costs, what happens when something breaks, and how either side can end it. On Airbnb, also agree which co-host permissions you get on the listing and whether Airbnb pays your share directly as a co-host payout.
By StayPerk Team · Last checked · Airbnb, Vrbo and Booking.com details checked against the sources below
How to put it together
- List the jobs, and for each one who does it: listing, pricing, messages, check-ins, cleaning, repairs, supplies.
- Write the fee as a formula with an example, including whether the cleaning fee counts.
- Agree a spending limit you can approve without asking, and who pays for what.
- Say what happens with damage: who claims from the guest, and who pays while the claim is open.
- Set the notice period, and how bookings, access and guest data are handed back at the end.
- Have both sides sign it, and keep it with the owner's records.
Clause checklist
| Clause | What to agree | Airbnb option to name |
|---|---|---|
| Scope | Which properties and which jobs | The listings you are added to |
| Access | What you can change on the listing | Full access, Calendar and messaging access, or Calendar access |
| Fee | The rate, its basis and an example | Payout share: cleaning fee, a percentage, both, or a fixed amount |
| Payment | When and how you are paid | Airbnb pays a co-host payout directly, or the owner pays you |
| Costs | Who pays cleaning, supplies, repairs and the booking site's fee | None |
| Damage | Who files claims and who pays while they are open | Who files the reimbursement request in the Resolution Centre, within its deadline |
| Ending it | Notice period, handover of bookings and access | Removing a co-host from the listing |
What a co-host agreement covers (general information, not legal advice)
Scope
- What to agree
- Which properties and which jobs
- Airbnb option to name
- The listings you are added to
Access
- What to agree
- What you can change on the listing
- Airbnb option to name
- Full access, Calendar and messaging access, or Calendar access
Fee
- What to agree
- The rate, its basis and an example
- Airbnb option to name
- Payout share: cleaning fee, a percentage, both, or a fixed amount
Payment
- What to agree
- When and how you are paid
- Airbnb option to name
- Airbnb pays a co-host payout directly, or the owner pays you
Costs
- What to agree
- Who pays cleaning, supplies, repairs and the booking site's fee
- Airbnb option to name
- None
Damage
- What to agree
- Who files claims and who pays while they are open
- Airbnb option to name
- Who files the reimbursement request in the Resolution Centre, within its deadline
Ending it
- What to agree
- Notice period, handover of bookings and access
- Airbnb option to name
- Removing a co-host from the listing
Airbnb works out a percentage payout share from the host's potential earnings: the nightly price times the nights plus extra charges, less the host service fee and taxes.
Airbnb allows up to 10 co-hosts per listing. Only Full access lets a co-host edit the calendar, accept or decline trip requests and see earnings; Calendar and messaging access can message guests and view the calendar; Calendar access can view the calendar only.
Airbnb co-host fee calculator
Enter the listing's numbers and the commission you charge. The calculator shows what you earn as co-host and what the owner keeps after fees and costs. Use your own currency; results update as you type.
nights
nights
%
15.5% on Airbnb's single fee
%
Of the payout after the platform fee
Cleaner, supplies, utilities, software
Booking revenue a month
3,533
Platform fees
548
Payout after fees
2,986
Co-host earnings a month
507
Co-host earnings a year
6,084
Owner keeps a month
1,579
Owner keeps a year
18,944
What StayPerk does here
StayPerk doesn't write or sign agreements. It gives co-hosts and property managers owner proposals, monthly owner reports and a fee calculator, free, and hosts choose which of their properties you can manage.
Have a lawyer or a template from a local association check the wording for your country.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a written agreement to co-host on Airbnb?
Airbnb doesn't ask for one to add a co-host, but a written agreement settles the fee, costs and ending before there is a disagreement.
Can Airbnb pay the co-host directly?
Yes. The listing owner sets up a payout share, the co-host confirms it and adds their own payout method, and Airbnb sends the co-host's part of each booking.
Still have a question?
Write to us and a person will reply, or look it up in the Help Center.
Sources
- How co-host payouts work - Airbnb Help Center
- Co-host permissions - Airbnb Help Center
- Add co-hosts to your home listing - Airbnb Help Center
- Host damage protection - Airbnb Help Center