Choosing an Airbnb Management Company: What Matters Most
What Most Hosts Overlook When Choosing a Property Management Company
Searching for a management company? Not sure which boxes they need to tick, or which will best serve your needs, property, and location? Choosing the best company isn’t simply about finding someone to manage guest check-ins or your calendars.
The right management team will increase your revenue, improve occupancy, and give you the flexibility you need to feel secure in your investment. Plus, a friendly, familiar face can’t hurt.
Before comparing short-term management companies (there are many) on price alone, consider these factors that most hosts overlook when switching or hiring professional management for the first time.
Choose a company that fits your needs, not just offering the standard
If there’s one thing our management experience has taught us at Ovitzia, it’s that not every host wants or needs the same level of support. This often means that hosts end up being pushed into and paying for services they don’t necessarily need or are looking for in the first place.
For example, some hosts only need help increasing revenue, while others need around-the-clock guest support, and others are ready to hand over every aspect of their short-term rental. Yet most Airbnb management companies offer only a single full-management package.
At Ovitzia, we’re different. We’ve designed four packages designed around what hosts actually need so they never have to pay for services they don’t want or use.
Whether it’s revenue support, growth, a digital takeover, or full operations management, we’ve got something to suit every host.
Explore our packages:
- Revenue Optimiser from 5%
- Growth from 8%
- Always On from 10%
- Fully Managed from 12%
Choose a company whose commission structure works for you
One of the biggest differences between management companies is the commission: its actual charges and what it’s calculated on.
Some companies might offer lower rates but charge a different commission or extra fees for services like cleaning. For example:
Companies might charge commission on:
- The total booking value
- The nightly rate plus cleaning fees
- The guest’s total payment including platform charges
- Additional guest extras
Whereas some, like us, will calculate the commission only on the net night accommodation revenue or net nightly rate – and this is important. That difference can significantly affect what you ultimately earn and receive.
Ovitzia charges a commission only on the net nightly rate. We won’t take commission on cleaning fees, cancellations, security deposits or platform service charges, so you understand exactly what you’re paying.
Most importantly, we also won’t charge commission on any pre-existing bookings when we take over.
Choose a company that makes payouts clear and simple
In the Airbnb management world, payment structures vary considerably. Typically, most companies receive guest payments before paying owners, hold funds for weeks, deduct various charges before transferring, and operate pooled client accounts.
Before signing an agreement, you should understand and ask:
- Who receives the Airbnb payout?
- When will you receive your income?
- What deductions are made before payment?
- How are statements produced?
At Ovitzia, you’ll never have to guess where your money is. For Fully Managed clients, we also operate a segregated client account structure, ensuring client funds are managed separately and providing greater transparency over income, deductions and payouts. You’ll also receive a complete picture of the property’s financial performance via our Owner App. See our FAQs.
Choose a company that doesn’t hold you hostage
Contracts matter more than most owners realise, and long contracts are common within the property management industry.
Some companies might require 6-12-month agreements or include exit penalties and several-month notice periods, which can make changing providers difficult if you’re not happy with the service.
At Ovitzia, we keep it simple with one month’s notice, which means no long tie-ins, because we believe owners should stay because they’re happy, not because a contract forces them to.
If you do decide to leave, your future bookings are safe. Our contract clearly outlines how we handle future bookings, guest communication, and payouts during an exit, ensuring a smooth handover of services.
Choose a company with a face you can trust
Many letting management companies in the space are large, international operators who, at the end of the day, won’t love or care about your short-let as deeply as independent, boutique managers like us do.
When it comes to big names, they have thousands of properties to rely on for their income; for us, who manage around 100 in the UK, we only win when they do, which means you can trust us to work hard.
It’s also handy to have someone you can talk to when you need to, and who already knows your name, location, and short-let.
No call centres, no waiting in the queue, no annoying live chat service where you always have to fill in your details. But a company that already knows you.
The best Airbnb management companies don’t just manage properties; they build better-performing businesses
The guest experience is important, but it’s not the only factor in a successful short-term rental. The best Airbnb management companies combine commercial strategy, revenue optimisation, technology, and hands-on operational expertise to help properties maximise revenue over the long term. That’s the philosophy behind Ovitzia.
Whether you want to improve pricing or fully outsource, we can help.