hosting other properties

[Hillary100]

hi all! wondering about the specifics of hosting other peoples properties for a percentage.  I just called airbnb and they said if I charge 20% for my hosting fee to list other and manage other peoples rentals, its off the TOTAL cost - i.e. taxes and cleaning fees.  As a local host, I would pay organize and pay the cleaners directly.  Is there a way to streamline that or not include the cleaning fee from the 20% fee?  So lets say the total cost for the night is $100, owner gets 80%, I get 20%, but the cleaning fee that I need to pay the cleaners is $50. Obviously my $20 cut doesn't cover that fee.  Im trying to avoid having to keep track of all the individual cleaning fees owed back to me, and to keep from having to request money or bill the home owners too often.   any insight is greatly appreciated!! across all areas in terms of hosting other people's rentals.. Thanks! 

[Pat271]

I’m not sure how the cohosting software works on AirBnb, but it’s pretty easy to just use a simple spreadsheet for this, and handle it the whole co-hosting thing off-platform. I do this for one of my properties.

I also question that on Airbnb you can’t set up a commission without including cleaning fees and taxes before taking the percentage. Especially in terms of taxes, that would be an incorrect way of handling it.

Let me know if you want more info on how to set up a spreadsheet for this.

[Sudsrung0]

@Hillary100 

I would charge 25% the cleaning fee and laundry is separate,

I had a guy approach me last weekend to manage his property I declined his offer as his property was not up to my standard, I am a super host so any complaints about his property would effect my status,

[Kia272]

@Hillary100  AirBnB has no part in a co-hosting scenario. They shouldn't even be making suggestions. I would completely disregard anything they said. 

You should simply arrange something privately with a host- I'd write up a contract- and come to terms that work for both of you. 

From what I understand, you can't split deposits from AirBnB anyway, so the host would be paying the agreed upon amount directly to you in some other form, rather than a share from the AirBnB deposit. I don't think you've given this enough thought, based on your question. The scenario you've described above doesn't make a whole lot of sense to me, and certainly wouldn't be sufficient payment. 

[Pat271]

@Kia272  AirBnb has co-hosting functionality that can be set up.

https://www.airbnb.com/help/article/1243/cohosts-an-introduction

[Kia272]

@Pat271  Funny- I didn't really know that. I mean, I had a co-host at some point, but I didn't know you could officially decide on responsibilities, percentage of payout, etc. I stand corrected. 

I'd still rather come to a private agreement with a host than trust AirBnB to do it right. Just sayin'. 

[Pat271]

@Kia272 I tend to agree with you there. I could just envision, for instance, Airbnb cancelling money due to a cohost because an owner complained, just as they do sometimes when guests complain.

[Lisa723]

@Hillary100 Airbnb used to have the feature you're looking for (specific percentages for rent vs. cleaning fees) but inexplicably discontinued it a few years ago. As others have said, it's probably easiest to have all the money go to one of you, then have that person pay the other their share monthly (or so). Keep in mind that the one who receives and transfers the payment will need to issue a 1099 at the end of each year, to one who receives the transfer.