How to Transfer Listing Ownership on Airbnb Legally and Securely

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How to Transfer Listing Ownership on 
Airbnb Legally and Securely 
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Why Transferring Airbnb Listings Matters 
Imagine you’ve built a thriving Airbnb business. Your listing has hundreds of five-star reviews, a 
Superhost badge, and a steady flow of bookings. Now, what happens if you sell your property, 
change ownership, or decide to let someone else manage it? For many hosts, the biggest 
concern isn’t just the property—it’s the listing. Losing years of reputation and reviews can 
seriously hurt income potential. 
This is why transferring an Airbnb listing is such an important topic. Unfortunately, Airbnb 
doesn’t allow direct listing transfers like handing over a username and password. The platform 
enforces strict rules to protect guest safety, prevent fraud, and comply with local regulations. 
Still, there are legal and secure methods to transition a listing from one owner to another without 
breaking Airbnb’s terms of service. 
In this guide, we’ll explore exactly how to handle a listing transfer—legally, securely, and in a 
way that preserves the hard-earned trust built with guests. We’ll break down Airbnb’s policies, 
explain common scenarios that require transfers, outline legal considerations, and provide a 
step-by-step process for ensuring a smooth transition. Whether you’re selling your Airbnb 
property, passing it to family, or handing it off to a manager, this article will help you do it the 
right way. 
Understanding Airbnb’s Rules on Listing Ownership 
Airbnb’s Policy on Accounts and Listings 
The first thing hosts need to understand is that Airbnb accounts are non-transferable. This 
means you can’t legally sell or give away your account, even if it has excellent reviews. Each 
Airbnb account is tied to an individual’s identity and verification documents, which include 
government-issued IDs and sometimes even background checks. 
Similarly, Airbnb listings are tied to the account that created them. That’s why the platform 
doesn’t have a built-in “transfer” button to hand over ownership. Allowing unrestricted transfers 
would pose risks: fraudulent operators could buy highly rated accounts, misleading guests into 
unsafe stays. 
Why Direct Transfers Are Restricted 
The primary reason Airbnb restricts direct transfers is guest trust. When guests book a stay, 
they’re not just booking a property—they’re trusting the person behind the listing. Reviews and 
ratings reflect the host’s reliability, not just the property itself. 
If listings could be transferred freely, someone with no hosting experience could suddenly inherit 
a Superhost profile. This would undermine the entire review system and damage Airbnb’s 
credibility. 
That said, Airbnb does acknowledge real-world scenarios like property sales or inheritance. 
While the platform doesn’t allow simple transfers, it provides workarounds to help new owners 
establish themselves while respecting guest safety. 
Common Scenarios That Require Listing Transfers 
Selling a Property with an Active Airbnb Listing 
One of the most common situations is when someone sells a home that has an established 
Airbnb presence. Buyers often want the listing’s reputation along with the property itself, since 
good reviews can increase booking demand and income. However, because Airbnb doesn’t 
allow direct transfers, both the seller and buyer need to coordinate carefully. 
Usually, the buyer will need to create a new Airbnb account and listing. The seller can then add 
them as a co-host during the transition. This way, the buyer gains access to guest 
communication and booking management while they build credibility. Over time, the old listing 
can be phased out, and guests will naturally migrate to the new one. 
Passing Management to a Co-Host or Property Manager 
Sometimes, property owners don’t want to sell but prefer not to manage the listing themselves. 
In these cases, transferring management responsibilities to a co-host or professional property 
manager is a great solution. 
Airbnb’s co-host feature allows another person to handle day-to-day operations like messaging 
guests, managing bookings, and coordinating cleaning. While the account owner remains 
legally responsible, co-hosts can take over most duties, making this a seamless way to 
“transfer” operational control without violating Airbnb’s policies. 
Inheritance or Ownership Changes 
Another scenario arises when a property changes hands due to inheritance, divorce 
settlements, or business restructuring. In these cases, the new owner may want to continue 
hosting without losing the existing guest base. 
Airbnb typically requires the new owner to open their own account and create a listing. However, 
depending on local laws and specific circumstances, Airbnb support may assist in transitioning 
bookings to the new host. Having legal documentation—such as wills, deeds, or court 
orders—can make this process smoother. 
Legal Considerations Before Transferring Ownership 
Reviewing Local Short-Term Rental Regulations 
Before transferring any Airbnb listing, it’s critical to check local laws. Many cities have strict 
regulations around short-term rentals, requiring permits, licenses, or even registration numbers. 
If ownership changes, those permits may not automatically carry over. 
For example, some municipalities issue short-term rental licenses that are tied to the property 
owner, not the property itself. In such cases, the new owner would need to reapply for a license 
before legally hosting on Airbnb. Ignoring this step could lead to fines or a suspension of the 
listing. 
Taxation and Licensing Issues 
Ownership changes also affect tax obligations. Rental income may be reported under different 
names, tax IDs, or business structures. If a property is being sold as part of a business transfer, 
the buyer and seller must clearly define who is responsible for past and future taxes. 
It’s wise to involve a tax advisor or attorney to ensure compliance. Airbnb itself issues tax 
documents (like 1099 forms in the U.S.) to the account holder, so transferring a listing without 
clarifying financial responsibilities can create messy disputes later. 
Drafting a Legal Agreement Between Parties 
Even if both parties trust each other, a formal legal agreement is essential. This agreement 
should outline responsibilities, revenue-sharing (if applicable), timelines for the transition, and 
protections for both sides. 
For example, if a seller agrees to temporarily co-host during the transition, the agreement 
should state how long they’ll remain involved and how payments will be handled. Having this in 
writing helps prevent misunderstandings and ensures a smoother handover. 
Secure Methods of Handling a Listing Transfer 
Using Airbnb’s Co-Host Feature as a Transition Tool 
The safest and most Airbnb-compliant way to transfer listing control is through co-hosting. The 
original host can add the new owner or manager as a co-host, giving them access to bookings, 
guest communication, and payouts. This allows a gradual transition where both parties stay 
informed and guests experience no disruption. 
Once the new owner is fully set up, the old host can remove themselves from the arrangement. 
While this method doesn’t transfer reviews directly, it provides a bridge that helps the new host 
establish credibility. 
Creating a New Account for the New Owner 
If the goal is a full ownership transfer, the new host must create their own Airbnb account. This 
ensures they are properly verified and legally responsible for the property. While this means 
starting with zero reviews, transparency is key. The seller can update the listing description to 
introduce the new host, explaining the transition to reassure guests. 
In some cases, Airbnb support may help migrate bookings to the new host’s account if there’ssufficient legal documentation. However, this isn’t guaranteed, so planning ahead is crucial. 
Safely Migrating Reviews and Reputation 
Unfortunately, reviews are tied to the host’s account and cannot be transferred. But there are 
creative ways to leverage the old reputation. For example: 
● The old host can leave a public note in the listing bio introducing the new owner. 
 
● The seller can encourage repeat guests to book with the new account. 
 
● Both parties can coordinate messaging to maintain transparency and trust. 
 
While reviews won’t move automatically, a careful handover ensures guests still feel confident 
booking with the new host. 
 
	How to Transfer Listing Ownership on Airbnb Legally and Securely 
	Why Transferring Airbnb Listings Matters 
	Understanding Airbnb’s Rules on Listing Ownership 
	Airbnb’s Policy on Accounts and Listings 
	Why Direct Transfers Are Restricted 
	Common Scenarios That Require Listing Transfers 
	Selling a Property with an Active Airbnb Listing 
	Passing Management to a Co-Host or Property Manager 
	Inheritance or Ownership Changes 
	Legal Considerations Before Transferring Ownership 
	Reviewing Local Short-Term Rental Regulations 
	Taxation and Licensing Issues 
	Drafting a Legal Agreement Between Parties 
	Secure Methods of Handling a Listing Transfer 
	Using Airbnb’s Co-Host Feature as a Transition Tool 
	Creating a New Account for the New Owner 
	Safely Migrating Reviews and Reputation