Hosting a property on Airbnb is no longer a simple process. Customers can be very picky, ideal pricing can change in an instant, markets can be crowded and revenue can be hard to track. The platform is trying to simplify matters by introducing the Co-Host Network, which allows hosts to hire other hosts to manage properties.
This is how it works. Property owners can use the network to hire other hosts and include them in the loving embrace of hospitality. Appointed hosts can help with almost anything, including setting up listings, selecting prices and availability, cleaning, maintenance and guest management. It’s a disruption in the blazing-hot “building superintendent” industry.
These hired hosts must be highly rated and local, with Airbnb saying it has only included hosts who have a rating of at least 4.8 and have hosted at least ten times. Prospective co-hosts/employees can set their service rates on the profile page. The company says it has onboarded more than 10,000 people so far in countries like Australia, Brazil, France, Mexico, and the US.
“One of the biggest requests we’ve gotten from hosts is that they would like to find professional, high-quality co-hosts with great track records in their field, people they can rely on. And they can’t really be completely hands-off,” Judson Coplan, vice president of product marketing at Airbnb, told TechCrunch.
While the feature could be a boon for those who just need a little help, the phrase “not completely hands-off” got me thinking. It seems like it could easily be used by large real estate companies that have hundreds upon hundreds of properties on the platform.
That’s not a bad thing, as these mega-hosts are generally considered a reliable option for guests. However, it certainly doesn’t help people’s perception that Airbnb and its ilk are involved in hollowing out neighborhoods and turning them into ghost towns. After all, there’s a housing crisis all over the country.
In any case, this could be a great way for some people to make some extra money. Airbnb has also introduced other things besides the Co-Host Network, including a feature for hosts to check out similar listings in an area. For guests, the app has a new Welcome Tour for first-time users, updated search filters, local payment options, and more.
The platform has been busy lately. Earlier this year, Airbnb launched a program to offer discounts on EV chargers for hosts. It also now allows the app to show smart lock codes to guests.