How much do Airbnb property managers charge: An in-depth overview

You launched your Airbnb expecting passive income, but instead found yourself managing guest communications and coordinating cleaning schedules 24/7. Plus, your appliances constantly seem to break down.

If you're in the US but your property is in another country, multiply these challenges by different time zones and your inability to physically check on issues.

Many property owners (especially international ones) reach this breaking point and wonder, "How much do Airbnb property managers charge?".

On average, expect to pay 15% to 40% of your rental income.¹ This can seem steep, but in many scenarios, it's worth it. Here's everything you need to know.

We'll also introduce the Wise account, which allows you to send, spend, and receive your money across the globe in over 40 currencies – all at the fair mid-market rate.

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Table of contents
How much do Airbnb property managers charge? What types of Airbnb management fees are there? Percentage of booking revenue Flat rate fees Hybrid fees Co-hosting fees Additional fees How to calculate Airbnb management fees What’s included in Airbnb management services Is hiring Airbnb management companies worth it?

How much do Airbnb property managers charge?

Airbnb property management fees typically range from 15% to 40% of your rental income.¹

Now, this is just an estimate. Several factors shape what you'll pay. Where your property is located, what type of property it is, and the service scope all affect Airbnb management fees.

For example, large luxury homes will likely have higher management fees than basic studio apartments. If your property has a pool or a big garden, these assets often come with high maintenance costs.

You may also have your Airbnb management company as a co-host only, meaning they'll take care of guest communications & check-ins/check-outs, but you'll handle the maintenance, which will likely reduce how much you pay.

What types of Airbnb management fees are there?

Percentage of booking revenue

Most property managers charge a percentage of what you earn from each booking. You make 1,000 USD from a week-long stay, your manager charges 25%, so you pay 250 USD.

This model tends to work well because it benefits both parties. When your property performs well, everyone earns money. When bookings slow down, management fees drop as well. Rates typically fall between 15% and 40%, with the exact percentage depending on your location and service level.¹

Flat rate fees

Some managers charge fixed amounts regardless of how much income your Airbnb makes. This might be a flat fee per booking (typically 50 USD to 150 USD) or a fixed amount per month.²

This pricing model often includes maintenance because you'll need to keep your property in good condition, regardless of how many bookings you have each month.

Flat rates are predictable, but the downside is that you're often on the hook for them even if your Airbnb doesn't make any income.

Hybrid fees

These fees combine elements from both percentage and flat rate models. There's usually a base monthly fee plus a smaller percentage of bookings. For example, 300 USD per month plus 10% of rental income. These arrangements aren't very common, but they do happen.

Co-hosting fees

Co-hosts handle limited services like guest communication and check-ins, so they charge less, typically 10% to 20% of booking revenue.²

You'll typically still manage the maintenance yourself, but your co-host may help with emergencies. The exact scope of work varies from company to company, but it can be a nice option when you're only looking for property management help in specific areas.

Additional fees

Depending on your Airbnb management company, some things will cost extra. These often include:

• Setup and onboarding fees
• Maintenance and repairs beyond basic issues
• Restocking amenities and supplies
• Cleaning or deep cleaning fees
• Pet fees
• Pool, garden, and other amenity maintenance
• Furnishing and interior design services
• Early termination fees

In other words, you're still on the hook for several expenses. For example, if your AC unit breaks down, your property management company can help you replace it, but you'll need to cover the cost of the new unit plus labor costs.

If you own a property in another country, having someone else restock your supplies and take care of appliances makes sense, but it's definitely a cost you have to budget for.

Especially with short-term rentals, issues come up frequently since there are many guests coming in and out of your property.

How to calculate Airbnb management fees

You might be wondering, are Airbnb property management fees even worth it? How much profit will you keep? Here's how to calculate how management fees fit into your Airbnb business alongside other expenses:

1. Calculate your gross revenue

Add up everything your guests pay, including room rates, cleaning fees, pet charges, and extra guest fees. For example, let's say your property earned 4,200 USD from bookings last month.

2. Calculate the Airbnb management fee

With a 25% management rate, you have to pay 4,200 USD x 25% = 1,050 USD to your property manager. Different property managers charge different fees, so yours might be higher or lower than this example.

3. Calculate operating expenses

Your Airbnb will incur expenses that aren't covered by your property maintenance company. These usually include cleaning services, toiletries, linens, minor repairs, and utility costs.

When it's a normal month, you may have to pay a couple of hundred dollars to cover these expenses. Let's say it's 480 USD. However, sometimes you may be hit with an emergency, or you may need to buy a new appliance, which will increase your operating expenses.

4. Subtract everything

💡 To get your final payout, you need to subtract Airbnb management fees and operating expenses. Following this example, it'd be 4,200 USD - 1,050 USD - 480 USD = 2,670 USD. This amount goes directly to you.

Your Airbnb management company will typically subtract all costs before sending the final amount to you, so you don't have to do any math. They may also send you a detailed statement explaining the different expenses incurred.

What’s included in Airbnb management services

Most Airbnb management companies cover the essential tasks that need to happen for your Airbnb to run smoothly. While the scope of work varies, standard services typically include:

• Booking & calendar management
• Guest communication
• Listing optimization with photos and descriptions
• Dynamic pricing to maximize revenue
• Cleaning coordination between stays
• Basic maintenance and property inspections
• Guest screening and review management
• Marketing your listing on multiple platforms, usually Airbnb, VRBO, and Booking.com
• Dealing with emergencies

However, some services will cost you extra. Deep cleanings, major repairs, and other non-standard services will be an add-on.

While your property manager will likely include basic restocking into their fees, such as making sure that there's enough toilet paper, they won't get new appliances like a microwave as part of their standard service.

Some managers have a wide variety of add-ons available, such as utility management, insurance claims, and furnishing services. Others are more limited in the scope of work they can provide.

It's a good idea to ask about any potential extras you may need before you commit to a property management company to make sure that you can get everything you need in one place, even if it's at extra cost.

For American hosts with overseas properties, your manager will navigate local regulations and handle other legal or logistical nuances you'd struggle with from the US. Certain companies specialize in foreign property owners and offer targeted services, which can be helpful.

Is hiring Airbnb management companies worth it?

For overseas properties, hiring a management company is usually worth it.

You can't dash over to handle a broken AC or meet guests who can't figure out the door code. Depending on where your property is located, you may also have to deal with different time zones, which makes guest communication tricky.

All of this can result in messy situations that hurt your business in the long term.

For example, to earn the Superhost status on Airbnb, you're encouraged to reply to messages as soon as possible, ideally within an hour or so. This means you have to be practically glued to your phone at all times, even at night.

💡 Professional management means that all of the day-to-day operating tasks are taken off your hands. This saves you time, but it also often makes you more money, because your property listing is optimized with better photos, descriptions, and dynamic pricing.

However, it's important to choose the right company for your property. Look for transparent pricing, clear communication, and services that align with your goals.

Also, watch out for these red flags:

• Vague contracts with hidden fees
• Poor communication or delayed responses
• No local references or established track record
• Pressure to use their preferred contractors exclusively
• Unwillingness to provide detailed financial reporting
• Promises that sound too good to be true

If a qualified property manager can help you earn 30% more in revenue, then their 25% fee is usually well worth it, since they'll also save you a major amount of time.

However, many property owners with Airbnbs in other countries underestimate one major expense: international money transfers. Paying your property manager and receiving your profits all involve currency exchange and transfer fees.

Banks charge hefty markups on exchange rates plus transfer fees, potentially costing you hundreds or thousands of dollars every year, especially on large transfers.

With Wise, you can send secure and trackable large amount transfers to 140+ countries worldwide with transparent fees and the fair mid-market exchange rate.

Have a look at the main benefits for using Wise to send large transfers:

• Dedicated support for large transfers
• Fast and easy setup with no physical paperwork
• Upfront, transparent fees
• Fully trackable transfers
• Fast transfer times
• Two-factor authentication and real-time notifications

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^*Wise may request additional documents or information to verify your identity and transaction details.

Sources

1. AirDNA - How Much Do Property Managers Charge for Airbnbs?
2. Uplisting - How Much Do Airbnb Property Managers Charge?

Sources checked 07/11/2025