Co-host Payout Method: Let Co-hosts Receive Payments Directly

What is the Co-host Payout Method?

Houfy now allows primary hosts to grant their co-hosts permission to set their own payout method on a listing. When enabled, guest payments for that listing are routed directly to the co-host's connected payment account instead of the primary host's account.

This is useful for property managers, co-hosts who manage bookings independently, or hosts who want to split payment responsibilities across listings.

How It Works

For the Primary Host

1. Go to your listing > Edit Listing > Settings > Contact Person > Listing co-hosts.

2. Check each co-host's permissions. Note that "Payment settings: Allow co-host to set their own payout method. Must be approved by the primary host." is ON by default for every co-host you approve - if you do not want a co-host submitting a payout method, switch it OFF here.

3. Nothing else is needed; a co-host with this permission can submit a payout method for that listing, and you still have to approve it before it takes effect.

4. When your co-host submits a payout method, you'll receive an email notification.

5. Go to Settings > Payment Settings > Routing Rules to Approve or Reject the request.

6. The route only goes live after you approve it. Until then, your existing payment settings remain active.

7. You can remove a co-host's payment route at any time from Settings > Payment Settings > Routing Rules. There is no override - a listing can hold only one routing rule, so remove the existing one before adding a different one.

For the Co-host

1. Connect your payment method (Stripe, Square, or PayPal) at Settings > Payment Settings, just like any host.

2. Go to Settings > Payment Settings > Routing Rules and click "Add Rule".

3. You'll see listings you co-host (marked as "Co-hosted") in the dropdown.

4. Select the listing and your payment method, then save.

5. Your request is submitted as "Pending approval" — the primary host must approve it.

6. You'll receive an email notification when the host approves or rejects your request.

7. Once approved, all future guest payments for that listing will be routed to your account.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can a co-host change the payment route without the host knowing?

No. Every co-host payment route requires the primary host's explicit approval. The host receives an email notification for every request and must approve it from their Payment Settings page.

What happens to existing bookings when a route is approved?

Payments already taken are unaffected. Anything Houfy has yet to schedule - a balance due, a split instalment, a security deposit - is routed to whichever payment method is active when Houfy schedules it, so a balance on an older booking can still land in the co-host's account.

Can the primary host remove a co-host's payment route?

Yes. The primary host can remove any routing rule at any time from Settings > Payment Settings > Routing Rules.

Can a co-host set payment routes for multiple listings?

Yes, as long as the primary host has granted the "Payment settings" permission for each listing. Each listing requires a separate routing rule and separate approval.

What payment methods can a co-host use?

Co-hosts can use any payment method they've connected on Houfy: Stripe, Square, or PayPal. The co-host connects their account the same way any host does at Settings > Payment Settings.

Can a co-host set "Do not receive payments" (nopay)?

No. Only the primary host can disable payments for a listing.

What if the co-host's payment method expires or gets disconnected?

The listing stops taking payments. If a Square token expires, a Stripe account has charges disabled, or a PayPal account cannot receive payments, the routed connection is treated as invalid and instant booking is switched off for that listing - it does NOT fall back to your own payment method. Check Settings > Payment Settings > Routing Rules if bookings stop unexpectedly, and remove the route to return payments to your own account.

Where can I see who set a routing rule?

In Settings > Payment Settings > Routing Rules, each rule shows "Set by [name]" if it was created by a co-host.