How to Create an Airbnb Co-host Contract That Protects Your Business

Crafting the Perfect Airbnb Co-host Contract (and Why It Will Save You Headaches Later)

If you’ve ever handed over your Airbnb keys to someone else and just hoped for the best… you’re taking a bigger risk than you think.

In the short-term rental world, your co-host is your business partner. They’re the person making sure guests are happy, the property is spotless, and your listing keeps performing even when you’re not around.

But here’s the truth: without a clear, written Airbnb co-host contract, even great partnerships can go sideways fast. At BNB Guardians, we’ve seen hosts lose money, guests, and even properties simply because expectations weren’t documented. A contract isn’t just “paperwork”—it’s your protection, your playbook, and the foundation of a long-term win-win relationship.

Why Every Host Needs an Airbnb Co-host Agreement

Co-hosting can be a total game-changer. Done right, it frees you from day-to-day guest communication, late-night lockouts, and constant turnover management. It also allows you to scale—more listings, more revenue, less stress.

But without a clear Airbnb strategy in writing, you open the door to misunderstandings. Here’s what a solid Airbnb co-host contract does:

• Defines roles and responsibilities so nothing falls through the cracks.

• Sets fair compensation terms—percentage or flat fee—so no one feels short-changed.

• Protects both parties with clauses for liability, insurance, and termination.

• Establishes trust and professionalism, which leads to better collaboration.

This is Airbnb optimization at its core getting your operations so streamlined that you (and your co-host) can focus on growing the business instead of constantly putting out fires.

What to Include in Your Airbnb Co-host Contract

When drafting your agreement, don’t just throw a few bullet points together. The more specific you are now, the smoother things will run later. Inside our Airbnb coaching program, we walk students through this process step-by-step, but here are the essentials:

1. Responsibilities

Spell out exactly who’s doing what:

• Guest communication from inquiry to checkout

• Booking management and Airbnb calendar updates (we use Guesty to keep everything synced)

• Check-in/check-out procedures

• Housekeeping and restocking supplies

• Handling emergencies

2. Compensation

Agree upfront whether the co-host gets:

• A percentage of booking revenue, or

• A fixed monthly fee Include details on Airbnb pricing adjustments, cleaning fee handling, and when payments will be made.

3. Liability & Insurance

Clarify who’s responsible for damages, how they’ll be handled, and what insurance is required. This protects both parties from costly surprises.

4. Termination Clause

Lay out how the partnership can end, how much notice is needed, and what happens if responsibilities aren’t met.

5. Confidentiality

Protect sensitive information like guest details, revenue numbers, and operational processes.

6. Communication & Dispute Resolution

Decide how you’ll communicate (text, email, project management tool) and how you’ll handle disagreements before they turn into bigger problems.

7. Non-Compete Clause

Consider adding a clause that prevents your co-host from working with direct competitors during or after your partnership.

Sample Airbnb Co-host Contract Template

(Use this as a starting point—always have an attorney review your final version.)

[Co-Host Agreement Template — same structure as original, but reworded slightly for clarity and brand tone]

Final Thoughts: Protect the Partnership, Protect the Business

Co-hosting can be one of the smartest moves in your Airbnb management journey—but only if the foundation is strong. A clear, well-written co-host agreement saves time, prevents disputes, and keeps your Airbnb business running like a pro.

At BNB Guardians, we teach our members exactly how to structure these agreements, set up automated systems through Guesty, and hire the right co-hosts so they can grow their portfolio without burning out.

Need help with Airbnb?  Join our Airbnb Super Host Academy on Skool or book a strategy call with our team. We’ll help you nail your operations, grow your income, and build a short-term rental business that runs smoothly, contract and all!