If you are thinking about letting your property as a short let, the first question is usually cost. Airbnb management cost varies a lot between companies, and the headline percentage rarely tells the whole story. This guide explains how management fees work in the UK, what is usually included, the extra costs to look out for, and exactly what we charge for our Airbnb management service in Oxford.
How Airbnb Management Fees Work
Most short let management companies charge a percentage of your booking income. Some UK companies quote fees of around 12% to 25%, depending on the city and the level of service. Before you compare, check three things:
- What the percentage is taken from: some companies charge on the gross booking value, others on revenue after platform fees. The same percentage can cost you very different amounts.
- What is included: some fees cover everything, while others charge separately for guest messages, pricing or maintenance call-outs.
- One-off costs: some companies charge a setup fee for photography, listing creation and key handover before your first booking.
Our Airbnb Management Cost in Oxford
We keep our pricing for Oxford Airbnb management simple:
- 15% of net booking revenue: calculated after booking-platform fees, rather than on the full price the guest pays.
- £19 monthly operating fee: a small fixed fee each month, the same whatever your bookings.
- No setup costs: there are no one-off fees to get started.
- Cleaning and maintenance at cost: guests pay a cleaning fee on every booking, shown clearly on all booking platforms. If the cost of a clean is higher than the guest’s fee, the difference is billed to you at cost, with no mark-up. Maintenance is also billed at cost.
What Our Management Fee Includes
- Listing set-up and pricing that adjusts to demand through the year
- All guest communication, from first enquiry to check-out
- Check-ins and professional cleaning between stays
- Weekly property checks and maintenance coordination
- Guest verification through SafeGuest, with an ID check, signed rental terms and a £150 security deposit
- Noise monitoring at every property we manage
- Clear monthly statements
Is Airbnb Management Worth the Cost?
The fairest way to judge any Airbnb management cost is by what you take home. As one example, a two-bedroom apartment we manage in Oxford OX1 earned its landlord an average of £2,876 a month over the last 12 months, after all fees, bills and cleaning. On its previous self-managed long let, it earned £1,614 a month. That is 78% more, and the landlord no longer manages it themselves.
Results depend on the property, its location and the season, and short let income is not guaranteed. But for well-located homes in Oxford, a managed short let can earn more than a long let while giving you more flexibility. If you are weighing up your options after the Renters’ Rights Act changes, our guide explains what the new rules mean for landlords.
Questions to Ask Any Management Company
- Is your fee taken from gross or net booking revenue?
- Are there any setup, onboarding or photography fees?
- Do you add a mark-up to cleaning or maintenance?
- What is the minimum contract and notice period?
- How are guests checked, and how is my property protected?
Our minimum management term is 6 months, and we recommend 12 months so you can see a full year of seasonal demand. You can find out more about our Oxford Airbnb management service and request a free income estimate for your property.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does Airbnb management cost in Oxford?
Our Airbnb management cost is 15% of net booking revenue, calculated after booking-platform fees, plus a £19 monthly operating fee. There are no setup costs, and cleaning and maintenance are billed at cost.
Are there any setup fees?
No. There are no one-off costs to start working with us.
Who pays for cleaning?
Guests pay a cleaning fee on every booking, shown clearly on all booking platforms. If the cost of a clean is higher than the guest’s fee, the difference is billed to the landlord at cost.
