Airbnb co-host fees after the 15.5% fee
If you co-host — or hire one — the split has to sit on top of Airbnb’s host-only fee, not under it. Here’s the fair math, what to put in writing, and a $17 Co-Host Setup Pack that includes the calculator.
By Halivs · Updated October 26, 2026
Why the 15.5% fee changes the split
Under Airbnb’s single host-only service fee, most hosts pay 15.5% (16% in Brazil and Mexico) on “your nightly price and any fees you add, like a cleaning, pet, or extra guest fee.” Guests no longer pay a separate Airbnb service fee. That means:
- Host payout ≈ guest charges × 0.845. A $1,000 stay (nights + cleaning) nets about $845 before anyone’s co-host cut.
- Percentages of the guest total overpay the co-host relative to what the owner actually receives from Airbnb.
- Industry guidance agrees. Hostfully notes the co-host % should apply to payout after the 15.5% fee (Hostfully on co-hosting). Our 15.5% fee guide has the repricing math for owners.
A fair split formula
Host payout = (nightly × nights + cleaning + other host fees) × (1 − 0.155)
Co-host $ = Host payout × agreed %
+ cleaning payout if the co-host keeps cleaning
Owner $ = Host payout − Co-host $
Example: 3 nights × $180 + $125 cleaning = $665 gross. Airbnb fee ≈ $103.08. Payout ≈ $561.92. At 20% with the co-host keeping cleaning: lodging payout $457.65 → co-host $91.53 + cleaning payout $105.63 ≈ $197.16; owner ≈ $364.76.
What “typical” fees look like
Full-service co-hosting (messages, calendar, cleaners, supplies, monthly report) often lands around 15–25% of host payout. Messaging and calendar only is usually lower. Launch / takeover work is often a flat fee plus a higher percentage for the first 90 days. Airbnb’s Co-Host Network lets co-hosts list services and price ranges; Help article 3389 covers payout split options inside Airbnb (cleaning / fee+% / % / fixed).
What to put in writing
- Services included (and what is out of scope)
- Co-host % of host payout after the platform fee, and who keeps the cleaning fee
- How and when the owner is paid (Airbnb split vs monthly invoice)
- Expense approval cap without asking the owner
- Access: owner keeps the master account; co-host gets only what they need
- Notice period to end the arrangement, and how keys / codes / final report are handled
- House rules and messages must follow current channel rules (including Nov 20, 2026)
Not a substitute for a lawyer. Free and cheap contract templates exist; bare wording without the fee math is weak. Use a starter checklist, then have a local attorney finish liability, insurance and local-law clauses.
