How Much Airbnb Property Managers Charge

Airbnb Property Management Fees and Costs: Overview

Airbnb property management fees refers to the amount of money that professional property managers - whether companies or individuals - charge each month in exchange for providing hospitality-quality care to short-term rental properties and their guests and owners.

Hosts typically pay a fixed monthly fee - either a percentage or a flat rate - that depends on multiple factors to be discussed briefly. In some cases, investors might need to cover one-time, ad hoc fees for additional services that the Airbnb manager provides.

What matters the most is that you have a clear understanding of the costs that you will need to cover on a monthly basis and what services this will provide you with before hiring a manager and signing a vacation rental property management agreement with them.

In terms of amount, Airbnb property managers charge a wide range of fees which can reach rather exorbitant rates. Nevertheless, many short-term rental investors are willing to cover these fees, as long as they stay within reason, in order to make money from Airbnb passively.

What Services Airbnb Management Fees Cover

One of the main reasons why the fees that Airbnb managers charge vary so much is that they cover many different services.

Following is a list of the services that can be typically included in the property management cost (keep in mind that not all property managers offer all of these services):

• Airbnb interior design conceptualization aligned with the standards of the industry and the trends in the local market
• White-glove furnishing
• Getting and renewing short-term rental permits and licenses
• Legal and tax assistance
• Smart home device installation and monitoring
• Hospitality-quality linen provision and replacement
• Airbnb insurance including property damage and general liability
• Property listing creation including professional photography and custom copywriting
• Airbnb SEO listing optimization
• Personalized guest guidebooks generation
• Dynamic pricing
• Revenue management and maximization
• Listing distribution on the top booking channels and the company website
• Digital marketing including social media, email, and paid ads
• Vacation rental website development and maintenance for direct bookings
• Guest communication and support before, during, and after stays
• Concierge services to guests
• Owner communication and support
• Booking calendar management
• Reservation management
• Check-in and check-out support
• Payment processing including transferring owner payouts
• Guest review collection and management
• Professional cleaning, laundry, and supply restocking between guests
• Regular property inspections
• Preventive and emergency maintenance coordination
• Continuous performance and financial reporting to the owner
• Developing strategies how to improve performance

The best Airbnb management companies adapt the list of services that they provide to the specific needs of each property and the preferences of its owner. The costs that they charge depend largely on the portfolio of services but on other factors as well.

Now that you know what Airbnb property management fees include, let’s take a look at how they are determined. In the US vacation rental market, there are two main types of fees: 1) Commission-based fees and 2) Flat fees.

Commission-Based vs Flat Airbnb Property Management Fees

Most Airbnb property managers charge a commission or a flat fee.

Commission-Based Airbnb Management Fees

The majority of vacation rental property management companies charge a commission, which means that their fees are set up as a percentage of the pre-tax monthly booking revenue which the rental generates. The booking revenue comprises the nightly rates and all extra charges, such as cleaning fees, extra guest fees, pet fees, and others.

From an owner’s point of view, the main advantage of this pricing model is that the cost depends on performance. First, hosts do not pay excessive fees in months when rental activity is slow. Second - and more importantly, the property manager is incentivized to put all the necessary effort into managing the property in a way that maximizes performance so that their own fee is also maximized.

On the flip side, when Airbnb occupancy rate is high, monthly fees can reach significant amounts, up to a few thousand dollars, especially for luxury vacation rentals that earn large income.

Companies that apply commissions-based fees include Home Team Luxury Rentals, Checkmate Rentals, Vacasa, Evolve, Casago, and others.

Flat Airbnb Management Fees

Some, albeit few, Airbnb managers charge monthly flat fees for the services that they deliver to short-term rentals and their owners. This means that they determine a fixed amount of dollars that hosts need to pay month after month, no matter the actual revenue that the property generates.

The main pro of this pricing approach is that you know exactly how much you will need to pay to your property manager each month. This makes your expenses predictable for smooth Airbnb investment property analysis.

However, the con is that the company doesn’t feel the urge to put extra effort into taking care of your property and guests as they will receive the same amount of money regardless of their performance. Thus, you can easily be leaving money on the table if you decide to hire an Airbnb property manager who charges a fixed rate.

Looking at the benefits and drawbacks of the two types of fees, it’s usually better to go for a company or an individual that works with a commission model.

The AvantStay Master Lease option is an example of a flat fee model.

Average Airbnb Management Fees

The average Airbnb property management fee can be anything between 10% and 40% of pre-tax booking revenue. Costs below and above this range are also sometimes possible though you should be suspicious of fees that are too low (probably pointing to low-quality services) or too high (services are rarely worth anything on top of 35-40% of revenue).

Having said that, there are a number of factors that impact the costs of professional property management. The main one is the type of management. Full-service Airbnb property managers charge significantly more than half-service ones because of the more work than they do, allowing for largely passive income from STR investments.

But what is the range of typical fees for both types of Airbnb management?

How Much Full-Service Airbnb Managers Charge: Range and Average

Typically, full-service Airbnb property management companies charge 25-40% of monthly rental income. On certain occasions though, you can see costs between 10% and 45% or even more.

To make things clearer, full-service management refers to providing all the necessary tasks and activities that are required for the running of an Airbnb business, from getting properties ready for listing, all the way to housekeeping and maintenance. As a result, owners don’t need to be involved in the day-to-day operations in their vacation rental, while they are still consulted on the most important business decisions, such as what type of guests to target and whether to allow pets and what kinds of pets.

The services that these Airbnb managers cover include:

• Preparing the property for renting and hosting
• Listing and marketing
• Guest and owner support
• Housekeeping between guest stays
• Keeping the property well-maintained
• Ensuring legal compliance with all applicable Airbnb laws and other regulations
• Working on ways to boost results for owners



The exact work that each company does determines the fees that it charges.



Following is a list of the fees of some of the most popular full-service companies in the US market:

• Home Team Luxury Rentals: Starting at 15% of revenue and reaching up to 35% with most fees hovering around 20-25%; high-income properties benefit from discounted rates
• Checkmate Rentals: Starting at 15% of revenue
• Vacasa: Reaching over 35-40% in some cases, as reported by hosts in their online Vacasa reviews
• Casago: Unclear percentage
• Awning: Starting at 10% of revenue, with rates increasing for more comprehensive packages
• AvantStay: Unclear percentage
• Air Concierge: Unclear percentage

Since many vacation rental management firms do not disclose their pricing range on their website, hosts need to get a custom quote and make sure that it is reasonable for the amount of services to be delivered and competitive in the local market. Keep in mind that anything under 10% for full-service management sounds like a scam, and anything above 35% is usually excessive.

How Much Half-Service Airbnb Property Managers Charge: Range and Average

The average fees charged by half-service short-term rental property managers are 10-15%. While they are considerably more affordable than full-service companies, they do not entirely replace the host, so the owner cannot rely on earning passive income.

In general, half-service Airbnb managers focus on the use of technology to streamline some tedious daily tasks, but the bulk of on-the-ground work remains the responsibility of the owner or their team of local housekeeping staff.

The typical tasks included in the portfolio of half-service firms cover:

• Listing creation and optimization
• Distribution and advertising
• Dynamically optimizing daily rates
• Online guest communication and support
• Booking management
• Financial reporting to owners

This range of services helps hosts spend less time on the management of their property and frequently improves performance, mostly due to dynamic pricing and speedy guest communication. Still, hosts need to take care of many other things, such as cleaning, restocking, inspections, and maintenance. That’s why they pay lower fees.

Some major half-service Airbnb property managers have the following costs:

• Evolve: 10% of revenue for Evolve Core and 15% of revenue for Core Plus
• RedAwning: 10% of revenue

For owners who’d like to spend less on professional property management and don’t mind doing some legwork, half-service could be a viable option.

Extra Fees Charged by Airbnb Property Managers

While most reputable Airbnb property management companies have a single monthly fee to keep things clear and transparent, others charge a span of additional costs for what they consider to be extra services.



To have you prepared for the reality of the vacation rental management market, let’s take a look at the most popular extra costs that you can expect from your Airbnb manager:

• Onboarding fee: Charging an onboarding fee is not standard practice in the industry, and you should generally stay away from managers who ask for this. In some cases, it can reach $500+ for just getting started.
• Early termination fee: The best Airbnb property managers work with month-to-month agreements with flexible terms that allow hosts to cancel whenever they want, but some companies impose early termination fees that can exceed $5,000, along with annual contracts.
• Remodeling: Some property managers provide remodeling services for properties that need significant fixes and repairs. The total cost depends on the state of the property and the vision for its future look. The price is usually a few thousand dollars, and the manager’s commission is included in the total.
• Airbnb home design: The top Airbnb managers have in-house interior designers who specialize in short-term rentals. In most cases, the cost of the design is included in the total price of the furnishing project.
• Furnishing: Along with design, some companies also take care of the end-to-end furnishing of properties that need this service. The cost varies depending on the market, the property size, the number of bedrooms, the outdoor space, and the level of furnishing. To give you an estimate, with Home Team Luxury Rentals, furnishing cost starts at $15,000 for smaller homes, and the average project costs around $30,000.
• Amenity installation: When property managers coordinate the installation of Airbnb amenities, owners are responsible for covering the cost of the amenities as well as the fee of the property management company. The range is from a few hundred to a few thousand dollars, depending on the specific amenity.
• Smart home setup: Many vacation rental managers help hosts furnish a smart home with devices such as Airbnb smart locks, smart thermostats, and smart lighting to lower the cost of operations and management and make processes easier and more efficient. The cost varies.
• STR licenses and permits: Owners have to cover the cost of required permits and licenses as well as the time of the property manager when the latter helps in the issuance of necessary documentation. In some cases, the cost of annual licenses can reach $500 or more.
• Professional photoshoot: Companies that try to appear more affordable on a monthly basis charge extra for professional photography when listing a property. The typical fee is $100-$500.
• Amenity management and maintenance: Some Airbnb property managers charge additionally for the maintenance of things like swimming pools, hot tubs, and lawns though they generate higher daily rates, which also means higher commissions for the manager.
• Short-term rental insurance: Managers frequently offer optional property damage and general liability protection that costs around $10/booked night.
• Property inspections: Sometimes STR management companies ask for a $100-$200/inspection fee to conduct annual or biannual inspections of the property.
• Maintenance: Property managers might ask for a fee to coordinate necessary maintenance work, which is usually a percentage of the total cost. Some of them work with their own network of contractors, while others work with professionals provided by the owner. In most cases, Airbnb managers initiate maintenance works of up to $500 on their own, while they ask for the host approval for more expensive projects.
• Tax support: Firms might charge a small fee to help owners with tax filing during tax season.

You should know that some of these additional Airbnb management fees make perfect sense as they cover the costs incurred by managers when providing extra services for your property. This includes remodeling, furnishing, licensing, and others. Nonetheless, if you come across companies that want to charge you for onboarding, cancellation, or inspections, these are major red flags that there might be something fishy about their practices.

What Costs Airbnb Managers Might Charge to Guests

Another category of additional property management fees includes the fees that Airbnb managers charge to guests.

The most common guest fees include:

• Cleaning fee: Cleaning fees are standard and are charged per booking rather than per night. The typical range is $50-$120. Additional cleaning options are usually available for longer stays.
• Extra guest fee: Guests might be able to pay an additional fee to have one or two extra guests, above the standard occupancy of the property. This depends on the standard daily rate and is calculated per night.
• Pet fee: Property managers charge pet fees for pet-friendly Airbnbs to cover the extra cost associated with cleaning after a pet. The amount depends on the number, type, and size of pets but is around $20-$120 in most cases. It is charged per booking, not per night.
• Early check-in fee: Guests might be able to check in early for an extra fee that covers the expedited housekeeping services that the property manager needs to provide.
• Late check-out fee: Airbnb managers might allow guests to check out later than the standard hour for a fee that covers the chance of not being able to host another guest on the same day.
• Amenity fee: Sometimes property managers charge a fee for using amenities such as hot tubs and pools, but that’s not standard practice.
• Parking fee: In some cases, the manager can ask guests to pay for using a parking spot though most local regulations demand from hosts to provide off-street parking to guests.
• Cancellation fee: Most firms charge guests a fee for canceling a reservation after a certain deadline. That’s because the property is likely to remain vacant if the guest cancels just a couple of days before their check-in date.
• Security deposit: Property managers usually ask for a security deposit that is returned to the guest if they don’t cause any major damage. The deposit is withheld and used to cover costs in case of excessive wear and tear.

When choosing the best Airbnb property manager for your rental, ask about the fees that they charge to guests as well. If they expect guests to cover unreasonable fees, this will negatively impact the number of bookings that your property gets.

12 Factors Affecting Airbnb Property Manager Fees

We’ve already highlighted that vacation rental management costs can differ majorly. This is because the exact rate depends on a few factors that change in each particular situation.

The 12 most important factors that impact the cost of management include:

• Airbnb property management type: Full-service Airbnb property management costs significantly more than half-service due to the larger extent of service coverage. That’s the #1 factor.
• Company: Certain professionals charge more than others even when offering comparable services of similar quality. That’s why it is a must for hosts to explore different options available in their market instead of going with the first manager that comes their way.
• Rental type: Properties that tend to be rented on a weekly or monthly basis cost less to maintain than those that are generally rented out on a daily basis. Managers are likely to ask for lower rates if you prefer to operate a longer-stay Airbnb.
• Property type and size: Single-family homes with large outdoor spaces demand higher fees than apartments and condos.
• Provided Airbnb management services: Another major determinant of the Airbnb management fees is the services that are included. The more work that a property manager does, the more they will charge.
• Amenities: Properties with amenities such as a hot tub or a swimming pool incur bigger Airbnb property manager rates for the extra work.
• Property condition: Older homes that demand more frequent maintenance as well as properties with complex structures and elaborate furnishings that require special care lead to higher costs to manage.
• Location: Property managers who operate in remote markets tend to charge more than those working in saturated locations with strong competition.
• Revenue amount: Some Airbnb managers, like Home Team Luxury Rentals, ask for lower percentages for properties that generate strong revenue.
• Occupancy: Managers might offer discounted rates for rentals that bring a lot of bookings.
• Contract duration: A number of companies offer lower rates for annual property management agreements compared to monthly contracts.
• Owner personal use: Instead of limiting the owner use of the property, some property managers charge higher fees and allow unlimited personal use of the rental.



When analyzing the fee that your selected Airbnb property manager asks for, make sure to include all these factors into your consideration. That’s the only way to ensure that you are getting the best value for your money.

How Airbnb Management Fees Get Calculated

Typically, vacation rental property managers charge their fees on the total pre-tax booking revenue earned over the course of the calendar month. This amount includes the nightly prices, the cleaning fees, the extra fees, and any other source of revenue generated by the property under their management.

Considering an average fee of 25% in the US market, let’s have a look at an actual example.

An Airbnb property was booked for 25 days in a month, over 10 different reservations. The nightly rate is $220, and the cleaning fee is $120. Five guests brought a pet, and the pet fee is $70. None of the reservations hosted extra guests. The property management fee is 25%.

How much did the Airbnb property manager charge for this month?

Total Booking Revenue = 25 x $220 + 10 x $120 + 5 x $70 = $7,050

Airbnb Property Manager Charge = 25% of $7,050 = $1,762.50

With a rate of 25%, the fee amounted to $1,762.50.

For comparison, let’s consider a 10% fee, which is at the lower range of fees charged by Home Team Luxury Rentals, for properties with strong monthly revenues.

Home Team Luxury Rentals Charge = 10% of $7,050 = $705



This example clearly shows that you can save more than $1,000/month in Airbnb management fees if you opt for a company that charges affordable rates.

How Airbnb Property Managers Charge Fees

The majority of property management companies take care of the payment processing. This means that they collect fees from guests throughout the amount and deposit them in a dedicated account.

At the end of the month, the property manager adds up the total revenue earned over the month and calculates their fees. Then, they subtract any additional costs such as maintenance fees that were incurred over the course of the month. At the end, they transfer the remaining revenue to the owner via a direct deposit, a wire transfer, or another agreed upon method.

This means that Airbnb hosts don’t need to actually pay the vacation rental management fees. All they have to do is to receive their payout at the end of the month.

In rare cases, the booking revenue is transferred directly to the owner’s account, so they have to pay the relevant costs to the property manager at the end of the month.

12 Bullet-Proof Tips on How to Minimize Your Airbnb Property Management Costs and Fees

Airbnb property managers can charge expensive fees, but they provide a lot of valuable services that allow owners to not only achieve the ultimate dream of passive income but also enhance revenue and profit. With this mind, you should look for possible ways to save on costs without compromising the quality of service that your rental receives.

Here are 12 proven strategies to lower your Airbnb management fees that even beginner hosts can easily apply:

• Collect multiple quotes: Most importantly, conduct extensive research to find all options available in the local market. Look for both small, local managers and large, national companies and get custom quotes from each. When talking to Airbnb managers, mention that you are considering different options so that they give you their best rate.
• Consult with local Airbnb investors: Connect with hosts in the area and ask who manages their property and how much they charge. You can save time on the research part by taking advantage of the work that others with more experience have already done.
• Look for an Airbnb co-host: Look for someone who can co-host the listing with you. This can be an investment partner, another host, a relative, or a friend. With a co-host, you can split the responsibilities and the revenue in a way that makes the most sense for your needs. For instance, you can assign them some small tasks that help you out but don’t require high fees.
• Start with half-service management: Consider hiring a half-service Airbnb manager if you are operating on a tight budget and invest locally. This will not only minimize fees but also allow you to retain control over the management of your vacation rental business.
• Search for smaller, local Airbnb managers: Check out individual property managers specializing in the local market instead of large-scale, nationwide companies. The latter often charge more to cover corporate expenses that are not needed.
• Have your on-the-ground team: Build your own team of local housekeepers and maintenance personnel instead of relying on the property management company to do this for you. In this way, you can save on the commission for all housekeeping and maintenance work.
• Use Airbnb automation software tools: Sign up for the best vacation rental management software platforms that can help you with dynamic pricing, channel management, guest communication, team management, and other tasks. In this way, you can limit the number of tasks left for the property manager, bringing down the cost to a minimum.
• Be personally involved in the management: Take part in the management of your short-term rental to have a say and to simultaneously lower the cost of professional services. This is a particularly effective idea for those who invest close to home and don’t have a demanding 9-to-5 job.
• Put your entire Airbnb portfolio under the same management: Assign your portfolio of short-term rental properties to a single Airbnb management company if they cover all markets where you invest. Most property managers offer significant discounts for 2+ properties under their roof.
• Avoid Airbnb property managers that charge multiple fees: Go for a professional that charges a single monthly fee with no additional costs. If your property manager applies extra fees, you are likely to end up paying more than initially expected.
• Negotiate the fee: Use different tactics to try to bring down the final rate after you have selected your preferred Airbnb manager. Mention discussing options with different providers, offer to do some of the work yourself, and propose to onboard all your rentals with them if they offer you a good rate. In most cases, Airbnb property management fees are not set in stone, so there is some room for negotiations.
• Have the agreed upon fees in writing: Sign a written property management contract once you’ve figured out all details. This is the only way to guarantee that you will not be overcharged down the road.
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These tips can help you bring down the cost of professional Airbnb management for your property while maintaining a high quality of services. Still, you should know that there is a limit. If a property manager is willing to take full care of your rental for less than 10% per month, they are likely not going to do a good job.

Are Airbnb Property Management Fees Worth It for Owners?

Well, it all depends on the fees that you pay and the services that you receive in return.

In many cases, Airbnb property manager charges are totally worth it because they allow hosts to improve property performance via access to professional services and earn passive income at the same time. Moreover, they allow you to invest in the best places to buy an Airbnb (in case they are away from your home) and build a portfolio of short-term rentals while working a full-time job. Professional property management is also a good option for beginner real estate investors who have no experience and skills but would like to take advantage of the many benefits that vacation rental investing provides.

On the other hand, management fees are not worth it if the amount you pay to the property manager significantly exceeds the boost in revenue you experienced after hiring them. There are plenty of Airbnb management companies that charge extravagant fees that are not adequate for the services that they provide.

To make sure that costs are worth it, put the necessary effort into finding the best Airbnb property manager in your market that offers the right value for money.

Bottom Line

With such a wide range of fees that Airbnb property managers charge, it’s worth spending the necessary time to look for a company that applies competitive rates while delivering comprehensive services. The exact amount you’ll have to pay will eventually depend on your market, the property you own, the services you require, and the company that you hire. Once you’ve settled on an Airbnb manager, try to negotiate the cost using the tips above.

If you’re looking for a top-ranked, full-service, yet affordable property manager for your luxury vacation rentals, check out Home Team Luxury Rentals. Our fees start at only 15% of revenue for end-to-end management that exceeds guest expectations, boosts income, and leads to endless 5-star reviews. Get started now and have your first month’s fee waived.

Categories: Airbnb, Property Management