How Much Do Airbnb Management Companies Charge? | Airbnb Management Fees & Costs Explained
If you own a short-term rental property in the UK or interested in exploring the Airbnb market, you’ve probably wondered how much do Airbnb management companies charge to manage a property ?
Understanding Airbnb management fees and costs is essential to making an informed decision about whether to hire a property manager or run your rental yourself, to simply answer your question, Stayful manage properties for 15% + VAT, but what is included ?
In this guide, we’ll break down everything you need to know about Airbnb management fees in the UK and what the service comes with Including:
Property pricing models.
What services are included and that you need for your properties to be on Airbnb.
Hidden property or one of Airbnb costs.
Tips for choosing the right management company so you can filter down to one for your Airbnb property or vacation rental.
We’ll also include a handy cost comparison table so you can get a realistic idea of what to expect.
What Are Airbnb Management Companies?
Airbnb management companies, sometimes called short-term rental managers, handle the day-to-day operations of your rental property. This can include:
Listing your property on Airbnb and other platforms
Responding to guest inquiries
Managing bookings and pricing
Cleaning and maintenance coordination
Handling check-ins and check-outs
Marketing your property to increase occupancy
Basically, a good management company lets you earn rental income without the daily hassle. But all this convenience comes at a cost — and that’s what we’ll explore next.
Just below you will see exactly what is covered in our management cost
What is covered in our 15% Airbnb Management charge for your properties
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Below is what is included in our full management service.
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We will manage with everything with your property guest communication for your Holiday rentals so you do not have to.
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with our unique property management we will manage the seasonality of your holiday home using our experience of the short-term lets market and make sure you can always get the best pricing and rates for your property.
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Cleaners when finding them can be unreliable and are very important, we have experienced, reliable, proven cleaners who we have a great relationship with giving you everything to quality cleaners through our property management.
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We use our expertise when dealing with all the major booking platforms in order to maximise the reach of your property.
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Our team also can deal with any maintenance issues in your property no matter how big or small.
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It is important that your property does not cause a negative impact on the local community and that guests look after your property. This is why we thoroughly vet each booking and have maintained a great track record when it comes to guest damages and disturbance.
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We hold ourselves accountable through reviews and have a great track record so you can be sure that your property will be well reviewed.
Understanding Airbnb Management Fees & costs
Airbnb management fees can vary depending on the company, the level of service, and your property’s location. In the UK, the most common pricing structures are
Percentage of Booking Revenue
Most companies charge a percentage of each booking. This typically ranges from 10% to 25% in the UK Stayful charge 15%.
Example:
If your property earns £1,000 in a month and your management company charges 15%, you’d pay £150 in fees.
Hybrid Models
Some property management companies use a combination: a lower percentage fee plus a small fixed monthly flat fee. This can be beneficial if you have seasonal fluctuations in bookings or your nightly rates are very high for your Airbnb property.
90% of Property companies will charge a % of the booking revenue, but there are more costs to consider than just the management fee.
Booking platform fee
This is a fee charged by the booking platforms to take a guest, any and every Airbnb manager will list you on multiple platforms, different platforms charge different fees but Stayful list your properties on 5 different booking sites:
Airbnb - Charge 15%.
Booking.com - Charge 15%.
VRBO - Charge 6%.
Google - Charge 6%.
Stayful Direct - Charge 0%.
It is important to factor this into your estimations Airbnb management cost calculation, this is how the breakdown works:
Booking of £1000.
Minus booking platform fee (15%) = £850.
Minus Management fee (15%) of £850 = £722.50.
With Stayful around 75% of our bookings come from the biggest platforms (Airbnb and Booking.com) so it is important to base your property on the worst case.
Other kinds of property management fee to watch out for
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Some companies charge per turnover, a price is hard to say as it will depend on property location and size, but it can be from £50-£100 + supplies and Laundry.
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Towels, toiletries, and consumables can be around £10-£20 per month depending on property size and location.
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Major repairs or replacements are usually billed separately, normally around 2%-6% of your annual revenue for maintenance.
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Professional photos and premium listings may cost extra, normally we say a budget of £200-£300 for this, to get a price Stayful provides this service here.
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If your property is unfurnished, then you will need to pay for furniture as well as making the property furnished to a point where someone can arrive with their belongings and live for as long as needed, if you need help with this we have an essential item check list and a setup guide for you.
How to Calculate Airbnb Management Profitability
You can estimate your Airbnb profitability by using our services to estimate your Airbnb income, you can do this using the button below.
Calculate Your Airbnb Income
Estimate your Airbnb Pricing & Income
Our process in estimating your Airbnb income is simple and effective.
Analyse Airbnb competition
The Airbnb estimator analysis will take 12 long term rental properties nearby of a similar size using Airbnb data and create an average of those 12.
You will also be able to see total revenue of those close by properties as well as:
Occupancy rate.
Nightly rate.
Available nights.
Monthly & annual forecast
Now Airbnb is a seasonal business and income is always going to change month by month.
This analysis data is going to help us find the good and bad months so we can best prepare for what lyes ahead in the Airbnb market as it changes.
Property Breakdown
Then we go a step further.
Now we have the Airbnb income analysis data, we can enter our costs data and expenses to get an idea of the profit required.
If you are unsure of what costs or data to add here is a guide:
Booking fee = 15%.
Management fee = 18%.
Cleaning costs = 18% of the revenue.
These are standard costs to pay for any guest staying and covers everything you need from supplies & linen all the way through to guest communication, maintenance and pricing.
Now you can take the estimated revenue then deduct some costs to see the Airbnb profit calculator come to life using as much data as you can inputted into it.
See Our Case Studies
At Stayful, we go beyond property estimates
we provide a detailed, data-driven analysis of your property's earning potential on Airbnb.
Using advanced property software.
We check how your property compares to others and show you how to earn more with Airbnb and our service.
See real examples where we've not only met but exceeded our rental income projections. Let the numbers speak for themselves.
Pros & Cons of Using an Airbnb Management Company
Pros
Saves time and reduces stress with your property.
Professional marketing increases occupancy of your Airbnb property.
Handles emergencies and guest issues.
Optimises pricing for higher revenue.
Ideal for remote property owners.
Cons
Fees reduce overall Airbnb property profits.
Less control over day-to-day operations.
Extra costs for cleaning or maintenance may apply with your property.
Quality depends on the companies reliability.
FAQ
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The cost of an Airbnb property management service in the UK can vary depending on the company, the location and size of the property, and the level of service provided. Typically, they charge a percentage of the property rental income – usually ranging from 10-30%. However, some companies may charge a fixed monthly fee instead.
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Yes, most Airbnb management services allow you to retain control over your property’s availability and pricing. Reputable management services will work closely with you to understand your preferences and may also provide advice and recommendations based on their experience and market data. However, the final decision will ultimately be yours.
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To ensure you choose an Airbnb management company with high-quality service, consider the following steps:
Research and compare multiple management services: Look for companies with positive reviews and a track record of success in the industry.
Check their credentials: Ensure the management service is licensed, insured, and compliant with local regulations.
Ask for references: Request references from other property owners who have used their services to gauge their reputation.
Inquire about their processes: Ask about their guest screening procedures, cleaning standards, and maintenance protocols to ensure they meet your expectations.
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While using an Airbnb management service, it’s possible to interact directly with your guests. However, the specific communication policies may vary depending on the management service you select. Some services require all guest communication to go through them, whereas others allow you to engage directly with your guests.
Before hiring a management service, it’s crucial to convey your preferences regarding guest communication to ensure a mutual understanding.
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Yes, many Airbnb management services can cater to unique properties and specific host requirements. Whether you have a quirky, unconventional property or specific preferences for guest screening, cleaning protocols, or maintenance procedures, a good management service should be able to adapt their services to fit your needs.
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Yes, many Airbnb management services offer customisable service packages to suit your specific needs. These services range from basic listing management and guest communication to more comprehensive offerings, including cleaning, maintenance, and even interior design.
Discuss your specific needs with the company to ensure they can provide the appropriate services. However, bear in mind that you may have to pay additional fees for any customised services beyond their standard offerings.
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Yes, you can still use your property for personal stays. You’ll need to communicate these dates to your management service to block them out for bookings to ensure the property is available when you need it. Clear communication and advance planning will help ensure a smooth transition between personal stays and guest bookings.
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When your property experiences damage while being managed by an Airbnb management service company, you must file a claim with the company’s insurance provider. The insurance company will then investigate to determine whether the guests or the management company caused the damage.
If the guests are responsible for the damage, the management company’s insurance will likely cover the repair costs. However, if the management company itself caused the damage, you may have grounds to take legal action against them to seek compensation for the damages.
To ensure clarity and protection, it is crucial to have a written agreement with the management company that clearly outlines the terms of your relationship. This agreement should include a specific clause that clearly states who is responsible for any property damage that may occur.
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If you’re not satisfied with your Airbnb management service, it’s best to discuss your concerns directly with them first. Reputable management services will strive to rectify any problems and improve their service.
If issues persist, you may choose to end your agreement and look for an alternative management service. Review the terms of your contract to understand the termination process and any associated fees.
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Transitioning to an Airbnb management service involves several steps:
Research and choose a reputable service that fits your needs.
Inform existing guests about the change and prepare for the handover.
Clean and organise your property according to the service’s standards.
Provide the service with all necessary information, such as property details and existing bookings.
Review and sign the agreement with the management service, ensuring you understand all terms.
Give the service access to your property and any relevant online accounts.
The service will manage daily operations, provide updates, handle bookings, and process payments, deducting their fees.
Remember, each management service may have a slightly different process, so discussing these steps with them is essential to understand what the transition will entail.
Calculate Your Airbnb Income
Some Areas We Cover for Airbnb Management
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Leeds
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Manchester
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Leamington Spa
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Newcastle
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Lincoln
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Blyth
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Nottingham
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Harrogate
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York
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Darlington
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Margate
