How Much Does Airbnb Management Cost in the UK? 2026 Fees Compared
Airbnb Management Fees UK 2026: Compare Costs & What’s Included
Looking to switch management companies, or want to compare fees in the UK to see what gives you the best value for your money? Understanding the headline commission percentage is just one part of the story. So, how much do Airbnb management companies charge in the UK? Fees vary considerably.
With Ovitzia, you can pay from 5% for revenue management, from 8% for guest communication, or from 12% for a fully managed service. Many other management companies bundle all their services into one commission fee, which means you’re forced to pay for more than you need.
In this guide, we compare Airbnb management fees in the UK and explain what owners should consider beyond the advertised commission, rather than choosing an Airbnb management company that charges the lowest percentage. We’ll break down whether fees are calculated on gross or net booking revenue, platform charges, cleaning costs, VAT, onboarding fees, maintenance and the services actually included.
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Typical fee structures – what do Airbnb management fees usually include?
Airbnb management fees generally increase with the level of support provided:
- Lower percentage fee: Just revenue or online management (not full operations).
- Mid-level percentage fee: Booking and guest handling.
- Higher percentage fee: Fully managed Airbnb service that handles full operational oversight.
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Airbnb management fees UK: company comparison
| Company / service model | Typical fee | Fee basis | Cleaning | Setup / onboarding | Contract terms |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ovitzia (Growth Package) | From 8% | Net booking revenue, excluding platform fees | Not included; owner keeps operations | Light onboarding | One month’s notice |
| Ovitzia (Always On Package) | From 10% | Net booking revenue, excluding platform fees | Not included; owner keeps cleaning and maintenance | May depend on communication and operational setup | One month’s notice |
| Ovitzia (Fully Managed Package) | From 12% | Net booking revenue, excluding platform fees | Coordinated; cleaning fees are normally charged directly to the guest through booking platforms | Operational setup fee may apply depending on property size, complexity and onboarding requirements | One month’s notice |
| Houst | From 12% to 14%, depending on service/location information shown publicly | Rental revenue / booking revenue (dependent) | Cleaning and guest support are included in some published service descriptions | Owners should confirm directly | Some lower rates may depend on plan or commitment |
| HelloGuest | From 12%, excluding VAT | Net booking value / net rental income, excluding cleaning charges | Cleaning charges are excluded from commission calculations | Owners should confirm directly | Owners should confirm directly |
| 53 Degrees Property | From 14% + VAT on a 12-month plan, 18% on 6 months, and 22% on a flexible rolling contract | Gross booking revenue | Owners should check cleaning and operational charges carefully | Onboarding fees apply and vary by property/plan | Flexible rolling, 6-month and 12-month options |
| GuestReady | Commission varies by market | Commission per guest stay | Additional services sold separately | New properties are subject to an onboarding fee | Owners should confirm directly |
| City Relay | Not clearly published on the main service page | Owners need a direct quote | Full-service London-focused management, including guest, housekeeping and operational support | Owners should confirm directly | Owners should confirm directly |
| Guestable | Not clearly published as a fixed UK fee | Owners need a direct quote | Short-let management and guest services | Owners should confirm directly | Owners should confirm directly |
| UpperKey | Not clearly published as a standard management commission | Often positioned around guaranteed rent / corporate letting models | Varies by model | Owners should confirm directly | Owners should confirm directly |
| Pass the Keys | 20% + VAT | Net payout amount, calculated from total income including rent and cleaning | Full short-let management, including housekeeping, guest support, local management and maintenance coordination | One-off onboarding fee of £149 | Owners should confirm directly |
The table compares publicly available Airbnb and short-let management fees from UK providers. We collected the information shown on 26 May 2026, but pricing may change, so confirm current fees and inclusions directly with each provider before deciding. Fees or structures might have changed at the time you’re reading this article.
Pricing information changes and may vary by property, location, service level, availability, contract length and operational complexity. Where companies don’t publish a clear standard fee, owners should request a full breakdown showing the commission basis, VAT, cleaning costs, onboarding fees, maintenance charges, payment flow, and notice period before comparing.
Not sure which management level your property needs?
Ovitzia offers four levels of support, from revenue optimisation through to fully managed operations.
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How Airbnb management commission is calculated
One of the biggest mistakes owners make when comparing Airbnb management fees is looking only at the advertised percentage. You also need to understand what that percentage is charged against. You might see one Airbnb management company advertising lower fees, but it’s important to know what the commission is charged on.
- Company A might advertise low fees but charge on gross booking revenue
- Company B might advertise higher rates, but only charge on net booking revenue after fees and other deductions
This means that the cheapest-looking percentage might not always be the right option or the best structure in practice. In some cases, the higher fee may be better value if it includes more services, clearer reporting, and fewer additional charges.
Example: Lower fee charged on gross booking revenue
- Guest booking value £1,000
- Airbnb platform fee is £150
- Cleaning fee £100
- Net booking revenue (after deductions) = £750
With Company A charging 10% on the gross booking value, they make £100. Company B charges 12% of the net booking revenue, actually making £90.
Company A looks cheaper at face value with a 10% advertised fee, whereas Company B looks more expensive, but because it charges only on net booking revenue, the commission it takes is lower.
Questions to ask an Airbnb management company about their fees:
Is the fee calculated on gross booking revenue, rental revenue, net booking revenue or owner payout?
- Are platform fees excluded before calculating commission?
- Are cleaning fees included or excluded?
- Is VAT added?
- Are maintenance and supplies charged separately?
- Is there an onboarding fee?
- Who receives the guest revenue?
- Is there a minimum contract term?
- What exactly does the management percentage cover?
- Do you include guest communication and check-in support?
- Is dynamic pricing included?
- Are listing optimisation and photography included?
- Are cleaning costs passed directly to the owner or guest?
- Is maintenance marked up?
- Are there fees for cancelling the contract?
Is Airbnb management worth the fee?
Whether Airbnb management is worth paying for depends on what the service achieves after the fee is taken into account. If it creates value through stronger pricing, higher occupancy, better listing visibility, faster guest communication and more efficient operations, then it’s worth it. If your goal is to outsource your day-to-day workload and save time, it automatically creates value.
We advise, when comparing providers, from Ovitzia to the likes of Houst, to calculate the expected net owner income after management fees, rather than assume the company with the lowest percentage can produce the best return.
Want to see what professional management could mean for your property?
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Additional onboarding fees are typical
Many holiday or short-let management companies charge a one-off onboarding fee to get you set up before management begins.
This fee typically covers the work required to prepare the property, such as creating or optimising listings, arranging photography, setting up guest guides or house rules, configuring pricing tools, creating operational workflows, reviewing compliance requirements, and much more.
Before progressing, though, understand what the onboarding fee includes. For example, in most cases, deep cleans and photography are charged extra. Some companies will include them.
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