Airbnb cohosts vs Hometime’s local hosts

Weighing up an Airbnb co-host vs a property manager? Compare costs, support, and long-term returns with Hometime’s Airbnb management in Australia.

Written

by Jacqueline Chami

February 23, 2026

Table of Contents

Summary

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Frequently Asked Questions

How do I add a co-host on Airbnb?

Summary

Airbnb cohosts are a popular first step for homeowners interested in outsourcing management of their STR, but it's important to note that they have certain limitations compared to full-service management. This includes:

No standardised training
Reactive, instead of being proactive
Availability subject to other personal commitments
Limited scalability

For a true hands-off experience that's scalable to multiple homes, professional Airbnb management is recommended.

What is an Airbnb cohost, and is that enough?

An Airbnb co-host is someone you trust to help manage your listing. This could be a friend, neighbour, partner, or local contact to help out with cleaning or message guests when you’re away. While this tag-team system can get the job done, does it meet the professional standards to secure 5-star reviews? Does doing a "good enough" job cost you money in lost bookings in the long run?

That’s where this comparison comes in. Whether you’re managing one or multiple listings, this article unpacks the difference between cohosting on Airbnb and partnering with Hometime’s professional local hosts.

This isn’t just about switching helpers. It’s about scaling, earning more, and getting the support your short-term rental (STR) needs.

What Airbnb co-hosts offer

Airbnb’s "add co-host" feature makes it easy to share responsibilities, such as:

setting up the listing,
organising licensing and hosting permits,
listing photography,
styling the property,
setting prices and availability,
responding to guest inquiries,
organising check-ins and check-outs,
handling cleaning, and basic maintenance,
updating the booking calendar, and
overseeing cleaning and restocking.

How to add a co-host on Airbnb

Airbnb co-hosts are often found through word of mouth or added via the Airbnb “Find a co-host” network. By using this online network, you can get to know different co-hosts in your area before inviting one to be your co-host.

Paying your Airbnb co-host

You can share a part of each booking’s payout with your co-host through the different payout options on Airbnb. These include:

sharing a cleaning fee.
sharing a cleaning fee plus an added percentage per booking,
percentage payouts per booking, or
fixed payment amounts per booking.

It’s best practice to agree to payment terms before your co-host begins helping you with your property.

Why do people choose Airbnb co-hosts?

Many Airbnb hosts start by leaning on someone they know, whether it’s a friend, neighbour, or partner, to help manage the day-to-day. Because Airbnb co-hosts are familiar, affordable, and easy to onboard, they're great for early-stage hosts managing a single property or for hosts who only want to rent out their home for a few months of the year.

Co-hosts are useful if you live nearby or have a reliable contact who can check on the property. Their flexibility, low cost, and local market insights make them appealing when the goal is to manage everything yourself with some occasional help.

The downsides of cohosting on Airbnb

While casual co-hosting has its perks, it also comes with risks as your goals or guest expectations grow. What works at first can become a source of stress or lost income. Here are the most common issues hosts face with informal co-host arrangements:

No standard training: The service quality depends on the individual.
Reactive model: Co-hosts often respond to problems rather than planning ahead.
No strategic pricing: Casual co-hosts are unlikely to be pricing experts, and manual/static pricing often leaves money on the table.
Scalability issues: One co-host can only do so much. Their time, availability, and proximity will eventually limit your growth.

Many Airbnb co-hosts work part-time or juggle other jobs, so availability might not always match demand. If they go on holiday or get sick, your guest experience may suffer. In short, this setup often depends on goodwill, not guarantees.

Airbnb co-hosts vs Hometime’s local hosts: key differences

Hometime isn’t just an upgrade from a co-host; it’s a reimagining of how short-term rental operations should work.

With professional Airbnb management tailored for Australian homeowners, Hometime combines tech-powered insights with local, human support through its network of dedicated local hosts. Here’s what that looks like:

Feature	Airbnb co-hosts	Hometime local hosts
Cost	Various payout options available, depending on tasks performed.	Commission-based Airbnb management fees for full-service management.
Scalability	Limited scalability, often focusing on one property at a time.	Ideal for homeowners with multiple properties or scaling across locations.
Pricing strategy	Automatically adjusts your listing’s nightly price using Airbnb’s Smart Pricing.	Combines internal data with external tools to maximise occupancy and revenue.
Cleaning oversight	You and your co-host are responsible for hiring and coordinating with professional cleaners.	Hotel-quality turnovers from professional Airbnb cleaners hired by your local Hometime host.
Guest vetting	Airbnb conducts background checks based on guest details, while you are responsible for additional vetting.	Structured 48-hour window to review prospective guests, requiring them to agree with your ‘house rules’.
Support coverage	Your co-host's availability may not be consistent and subject to their familial or work commitments.	As a national property manager, Hometime provides ongoing support with our on-the-ground local hosts.
Tech access	Track, compare performance with similar properties, and communicate with your co-host on the Airbnb dashboard.	View financial reports, performance data, and contact your local host on the Owner Portal.
Channel visibility	Manual coordination across platforms, or using a third-party STR channel manager at an extra cost.	Your property is listed on multiple STR platforms like Airbnb, Booking.com, Vrbo and Hometime’s direct platform.
Onboarding process	Create your own listing and make changes at any time, with 1:1 support from experienced hosts.	Structured, multi-step onboarding with professional photos, property assessment, and revenue forecasting.

With over 40 local hosts in key cities, Hometime combines national support with local care, backed by systems, processes, and experience.

Level up your property portfolio with Hometime

A good co-host may have helped you get started. But if your goals include growing, earning more, or removing stress, it’s time for something more reliable.

Hometime doesn’t just help you host, they turn your Airbnb into a performance asset. Book a chat with our helpful team at Hometime today. With over 3500 properties managed since 2016, you can count on our all-inclusive property management service.

Amenities

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