If your listing already earns well, the hard part of handing off operations isn't finding the button in Airbnb. It's deciding how much access to give, writing down who does what, and keeping the listing, reviews, and payouts on your own account. This guide covers all three, using Airbnb's own Help Center instructions as checked on November 3, 2026.

Airbnb changes its menus from time to time. If a label below doesn't match what you see, Airbnb's article Add co-hosts to your home listing is the source of truth.

Before you send the invite

Settle three things first. Airbnb itself tells hosts and co-hosts to be clear about hosting responsibilities, earnings, and expenses (Co-hosts: An introduction).

Scope. Is the co-host answering guest messages only? Managing the calendar and pricing? Handling reservations and damage claims? Write it down.
Money. How the co-host is paid, and whether that runs through Airbnb's co-host payouts or a separate agreement.
Exit. How either side ends the arrangement, and how much notice is required.

Your role as listing owner doesn't change. Airbnb says the listing owner is responsible for their co-hosts, including ones added by a full-access co-host (What co-hosts can do).

How to add a co-host on Airbnb (desktop)

These are Airbnb's steps for inviting a co-host to a single home listing (source):

Go to Listings and select the listing you want to edit.
Under Listing editor, click Co-hosts.
Under Invite a co-host, click Get started.
Enter their country/region and phone number or email address, then click Next.
Choose the permissions for this co-host and click Next.
Review and click Send.

The same instructions are available in Airbnb's app, but these are the desktop steps.

Adding one co-host to several listings

Only the listing owner can invite a co-host to multiple listings at once. From Listings, check the box next to each listing, click Co-hosts, then follow the same invite steps. Airbnb notes that the permissions you pick apply to every listing you selected, and you can change them later on each listing.

Limits worth knowing

You can invite up to 10 co-hosts per listing.
A full-access co-host can invite other co-hosts, but can only give them limited calendar and messaging access, not full access.
Co-hosts added before May 3, 2023 have full access by default. If you added someone years ago, check their permissions now.

Choosing the right permission level

Airbnb offers three levels (What co-hosts can do):

Permission	What it allows
Full access	Message guests, edit the calendar, manage pricing and listing details, accept or decline requests, handle cancellations and changes, manage Resolution Center and damage reimbursement requests, write guest reviews, view the earnings dashboard, and add or remove co-hosts who aren't full access
Calendar and messaging	Message guests and view (but not edit) the calendar
Calendar	View (but not edit) the calendar

A simple rule: give the smallest level that covers the job you agreed on. A co-host who only handles guest communication doesn't need to change your prices. A co-host running reservations, pricing, and damage claims needs full access. Airbnb lets you change permissions at any time, and changing them doesn't affect co-host payouts.

What no co-host can do

Airbnb says only listing owners can set up or edit a co-host's payouts. Co-hosts can't view or change the owner's payout method or taxpayer info. Your revenue keeps going to the account you control, at every permission level.

Why the listing should stay on your account

When you add a co-host instead of moving your listing to someone else's account, the listing, its reviews, and its booking history stay with you. That matters if you ever change providers. We explain the risk in How to switch vacation rental property managers.

A handoff checklist for the first week

Once the invite is accepted:

Share your house rules and recurring answers: Wi-Fi, parking, check-in steps, trash day. Anything you answer more than twice belongs in a written guide. See the STR property operations manual.
Agree on escalation: which issues come straight to you (damage, refunds, safety) and which the co-host handles.
Introduce your cleaner and maintenance contacts so turnovers don't stall.
Check your local registration number is on the listing if your city or county requires one. Many do. Our short-term rental regulation library links to official sources by jurisdiction.

Hiring a co-host vs. a full-service manager

Adding a co-host keeps you as the owner of record. You keep control of pricing decisions, refunds, and the listing itself, and choose what to hand off. A full-service manager usually takes over more and charges a percentage of revenue. Compare the trade-offs in Co-host vs. full-service property manager, and work out what a percentage fee costs your property with the management fee calculator.

Also on Vrbo?

Vrbo handles this differently. Follow How to add a co-host on Vrbo.

Where Vacohost fits

Vacohost is a remote Airbnb co-host for owners who want to step back from day-to-day guest communication. Owners keep their listing, revenue, and refund decisions. You add us as a co-host on your own listing, with no account transfer and no payout changes. Airbnb Essentials is a flat $325/month per listing, with no commission, no setup fee, and 30 days' written notice to cancel. If you also list on Vrbo, Airbnb + Vrbo Coverage is $465/month per listing.

See exactly what's included on the Airbnb co-hosting service page, read how remote co-hosting works, or compare plans and pricing.

FAQ

Q: How many co-hosts can I add to an Airbnb listing? A: Up to 10 per listing, according to Airbnb's Help Center.

Q: Can an Airbnb co-host change my payout method? A: No. Airbnb says only listing owners can set up or edit co-host payouts, and co-hosts can't view or change the owner's payout method or taxpayer info.

Q: Which permission should I give a professional co-host? A: Match it to the work you agreed on. Calendar and messaging access covers guest communication. Editing the calendar, pricing, reservations, or damage claims requires full access.

Q: Can I change or remove a co-host later? A: Yes. Airbnb lets you change a co-host's permissions at any time without affecting their payouts, and you can remove a co-host from the listing.

Q: Does adding a co-host transfer my listing or reviews? A: No. The listing stays on your account. That's the main difference from moving a listing onto a manager's account.