Becoming an Airbnb host allows you to give your property more exposure to local and international travelers. Whether you are looking to host full time or as a side hustle you’ll find that it is not that difficult. However, there are a few key things to bear in mind. This guide takes you through the processes and warns you of any landmines you need to watch out for.

There are three types of hosts in Airbnb, some of these options don’t even require you to have a property that you want to rent. Listed below are the three hosting options offered by Airbnb.

This is the more straightforward option where you would rent out your property to guests. To do this you first register with Airbnb and then create your listing.

Your listing must include high-quality pictures of your property followed by a description and all the amenities you offer. Make it as exciting as you can while still keeping it honest.

Another key part of this type of hosting is deciding the house rules, during which periods you’d like to rent out your property, and nightly rates. As difficult as some of it may sound, there are enough tools and literature on the website and in host communities to get it right eventually.

The biggest risk in the short-term rental business for hosts is having guests that may damage the property. While hosts are encouraged to have their properties insured, the booking engine also covers hosts with the Airbnb Host Guarantee where properties are protected with up to USD 1,000,000  property damage protection.

Other areas to pay attention to in the host journey apart from providing an excellent service include guest screening via guest reviews if available, having a cancellation policy that can cover you in case of last-minute cancellations, and having a refundable damage deposit in case of any damages by guests.

If you don’t have a property but would like to try your hand at hosting, co-hosting is the way forward. What this means is that you can offer existing hosts your services as a co-host and share the burden that comes with being an Airbnb host. 

Among the many ways that co-hosts can get involved in the hosting process, the more popular ones are, answering guest queries, screening guests, accepting bookings, and even checking if the property is ready for the next guest (in the case of remote hosts).

An agreement is made for a stipulated period of time, mentioning cohost duties and payment amount or percentage per booking, and Airbnb is made aware of this agreement and makes sure the co-host gets paid.

If you are looking to add a co-host to your property, here’s how you get to it: 

Dedicating tasks you have challenges with to a cohost can definitely help you focus on the tasks you are comfortable with knowing that it is being done anyway. If you are a remote host and your co-host lives in the locality of your property then you can have them doing more hands-on tasks like checking after the cleaning crew, checking for damages after guests check out, and other tasks that involve being present in the property.  

Even though Airbnb as a platform thrives on its user-friendliness, hosting can take a lot out of you, time and effort-wise. Cohosts can help hosts improve their customer service and perhaps even reach a “Superhost” status.

Airbnb experiences are in-person or online activities hosted by aspiring local experts. Experiences go beyond tours and workshops by immersing guests in the host’s own unique world. Not everyone can host an Airbnb Experience as the site takes it very seriously allowing only for high-quality experiences led by knowledgeable, hospitable Hosts. Every experience is carefully reviewed by them and must meet Airbnb’s standards and requirements.

Through Airbnb Experiences hosts can offer special knowledge, unique skills, and inside access to experiences, places, and communities. In-person experiences can last a few hours on average.  

Online experiences are live, interactive activities led by expert Hosts. Hosts can meet people from all over the world and teach/demonstrate anything—all from the comfort of their homes.