Airbnb Co-Host Agreement: What to Include (Checklist + Template)

A lot of co-hosting relationships start with a handshake: a friend buys a cabin, you know Airbnb, you agree on "20%" and get going. It works — until the first expensive repair, the first owner stay over a booked weekend, or the day the owner decides to take the property back.

A written co-host agreement doesn't have to be long or intimidating. It just needs to answer the questions that cause arguments later. Here's what to include.

1. The parties, the property and the term

Who is the owner, who is the co-host, which property, and how long the agreement runs. A common setup is a 12-month initial term that then continues month to month.

2. Exactly which services you provide

List them. Listing and photos, pricing, guest messaging, a 24/7 emergency line, cleaner scheduling, restocking, maintenance coordination, review responses, damage claims, monthly statements. A simple "who does what" table (co-host / owner / shared) avoids a lot of "I thought you were handling that."

3. Your fee — and how it's calculated

• The percentage, and whether it's taken from gross nightly revenue or from the payout after platform fees
• Any onboarding or fixed monthly fee
• When the fee is earned (usually at check-in), and what happens with cancellations
• How money moves: do payouts go to the owner (you invoice them) or to you (you pay the owner the balance)?

4. Spending authority

Set a dollar limit you can spend without asking — for example $250 per repair — and what counts as an emergency you can handle immediately (a burst pipe, no heat in winter, a lock-out). Say how expenses are reimbursed and whether there's a reserve.

5. Owner stays and blocked dates

How much notice the owner gives to block dates, and a clear rule that confirmed guest bookings aren't cancelled for owner use — or, if they are, the owner covers the platform penalties and your lost fee.

6. Who owns the listing, photos and reviews

Is the listing on the owner's account with you added as co-host, or on your account? What happens to it if you part ways? Reviews usually can't move between accounts, so decide this up front.

7. Damage, claims and insurance

How damage is documented and claimed from guests or the platform, a note that claims aren't guaranteed, and the owner's obligation to carry insurance that actually covers short-term rental use. Platform host protection programs are not a substitute for insurance.

8. Taxes, permits and compliance

Who is responsible for occupancy taxes, income taxes, permits, HOA rules and safety equipment. In most arrangements that's the owner, but it needs to be written down.

9. Liability

A reasonable limit on your liability and an indemnity from the owner for the condition of the property. You're coordinating the rental, not guaranteeing the roof.

10. Ending the agreement

The notice period, an early-termination fee if the owner leaves during the initial term, what happens to fees on bookings made before the end date, and a deadline to return keys, codes and final statements.

Don't forget the cleaner

Your guest experience depends on your cleaner. A short cleaning services agreement should cover the same-day turnover window, photo proof after every clean, reporting damage within an hour, a re-clean policy, rates, access-code rules, and a non-solicit clause so your cleaner doesn't take over your owners.

Get a ready-to-edit template

Our Co-Host Management Agreement + Cleaning Services Agreement covers everything above in plain English, with every blank highlighted in yellow. Edit it in Word or Google Docs and send it for e-signature.

This article is general information, not legal advice. Short-term rental and property-management rules vary by state and city — some states require a license to manage property for others — so have a local attorney review your final agreement.