Airbnb Property Management or Co-hosting: What’s Right for My Airbnb?

Airbnb Property Management or Co hosting Whats Right for My Airbnb

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When it comes to managing properties in the vacation rental industry, there are a few paths you can take. You can either manage rentals yourself, hire a property manager, a co-host, or opt for the services of Airbnb property management companies.

Outsourcing your Airbnb management takes some due diligence. Whatever option you take, be sure to gauge what vacation rental property managers and co-hosts bring to the table and compare different providers.

In this article, we’ve put together everything you should know about finding and hiring a third-party Airbnb property manager, co-host or company. To go one step further, we’ve created a list of the best companies that provide top-notch property management services in North America and Europe. 

How Does Airbnb Management Work?

Today Airbnb property management has a wider meaning than just managing properties listed on Airbnb. “Airbnb” has become a generic term and implies pretty much any short-term or vacation rental. Therefore, suggestions and tactics discussed in this article can be put to good use by any vacation rental property owner.

So, how does Airbnb (vacation rental) management work? It encompasses a whole host of operations and tasks that hosts or managers need to do on a day-to-day basis:

• Guest communication 
• Handling check-ins/checkouts 
• Arranging cleaning and maintenance
• Restocking supplies
• Managing listings on numerous online booking platforms 
• Marketing, etc. 

All in all, managing vacation rentals is a time-consuming process that requires hosts to wear many hats.

Hiring an Airbnb Property Manager

Hire external Airbnb property managers if you're looking for a completely hands-off hosting experience. Vacation rental property managers typically work for licensed property management companies. Some are well-known national brands, while others operate on a smaller, local scale.

Note that property managers handle the financial side of your rentals, such as collecting payments and paying vendors.

Pros

• All-in-one service provider that saves you time and effort 
• Knowledge of the local market and trends
• Deals with guest complaints 

Cons

• Higher expenses 
• Being bound by the contract 
• No control over the guest experience 

Hiring an Airbnb Co-host

A co-host is usually brought on to assist with the day-to-day operations of managing an Airbnb listing (and some other platforms). They typically handle guest communication, calendar management, coordination of cleanings, and some maintenance tasks.

Co-hosts are often paid a flat fee and can be hired through personal connections, but not always. Airbnb introduced a Co-Host Network, which helps match busy property owners with individuals looking to earn income as hosts.

Pros

• Lower fees than licensed property managers
• Full control over finances and business decisions
• Flexibility in delegating tasks

Cons

• Costs vary; clear agreements are essential
• Still requires owner involvement

Hands-Off 24/7 Hosting with Short-term Rentals Automation

Whether you are a self-managing host, work with property managers and co-hosts, or you run an Airbnb property management company, vacation rental software is much more than just a nice-to-have tool. 

For example, vacation rental software like iGMS can come in handy.

What Services Are Provided by a Property Management Company?  

Let’s take a closer look at what services Airbnb management companies typically offer to their clients and how you can up your game using them.

1. Advice on local laws and regulations

A property management company can advise you on how to run your business within the local laws and regulations, reducing the risk of paying fines and penalties.

2. Guest communication and customer support

While effective guest communication is one of the key elements of providing a flawless guest experience, you can get overwhelmed by trying to reply to every incoming message promptly. A property management company can provide 24/7 support to all your guests.

3. Guest screening

To protect your rental from unsavory travelers, short-term rental property management companies vet your potential guests. They screen your prospective guests’ profiles and ask questions to make sure you won’t have to deal with trouble.

4. Revenue management 

Your vacation rental property should be competitively priced all year round. Otherwise, you can face significant revenue losses. A property management company will adjust your property rates by analyzing competition and local tendencies while aiming for maximum occupancy.

5. Reporting

To understand how your business performs, it’s crucial to monitor your data. This is where professional reporting comes into play. For example, by identifying your most effective channels, you will be able to optimize your strategy towards revenue growth and distribute budgets among your channels wisely.

6. Cleaning and maintenance

A vacation rental management company will organize cleaners and vendors for maintenance. Be sure to ask how cleaning and maintenance fees are structured. Sometimes a property management company may include a cleaning fee in your property’s rate. In such a case, this fee should be paid by a guest. 

7. Marketing 

Usually, marketing services offered by property management companies include taking professional photos of your rental, updating your listings across various online booking channels or even managing a dedicated Instagram page. 

Inquire whether a company provides marketing services at an extra cost or whether they are available within a standard package.

What Are the Average Management Fees for Airbnb Properties?

The exact amount of the average Airbnb property management fees is calculated based on several factors. However, if talking about a very approximate range, they may vary between 15%-40% of your monthly rental income. 

These are the major parameters that determine vacation rental property management fees:

• Location (whether it's a popular area)
• Property’s type and size (smaller property- smaller fees)
• Condition of the property (Many maintenance issues that could lead to regular repairs and higher fees)
• Services provided by the company  (If you outsource just marketing and 24/7 customer support while automating other operations using vacation rental software, your fees will be much lower than outsourcing everything)

What Are the Most Common Airbnb Property Management Fee Structures? 

When choosing a company to entrust the management of your property, you should be aware of the different fee structures:

Guaranteed model

With a guaranteed fee model, a property management company will pay you a fixed amount of money, regardless of the season. Even if your property has zero bookings, you still earn your bread and butter. Everything that is beyond goes to a company.

A serious downside of this model is that you won’t be able to capitalize on the high season and take advantage of temporary spikes in demand.

Commission model

In this fee model, a company earns a certain percentage of your Airbnb revenue.

Your income will depend on the total amount that your rental earns during a month. The good side of this model is that it incentivizes property managers to to have better results.

Flat-rate model

With a flat-rate fee structure, property owners usually pay a fixed amount for property management services. The fee will remain the same regardless of the number of your bookings. 

When agreeing on a flat-rate fee, it’s important to look through your contract carefully. Many companies charge extra fees on top of your flat fee for providing essential services, bumping up the final price. 

How to Hire a Co-Host Through Airbnb Co-Host Network

Go to Airbnb’s Co-Host Network and type your listing’s location to see available co-hosts nearby. You’ll be able to view their profiles and guest ratings. You can hire a co-host if your listing is in an area where they operate.

To qualify for the Co-host Network, co-hosts must have an active listing themselves, maintain a 4.8+ average guest rating, and meet other criteria. That is to say, you can rest assured they’re serious and professional.

Once you’ve chosen a co-host and agreed on payment terms, you'll start working together. Airbnb allows co-hosts to get paid directly through the platform, taking a percentage from each booking.

How to Hire the Best Property Management Company?

To choose the right company that will live up to your expectations, pay attention to the following:  

1. Ratings and referrals

A good management company will build its reputation by providing an excellent level of service. Check Google Business and Yelp reviews and make sure to visit their social media page to find feedback from real users. You can inquire about references from current or former customers.

2. Value for money

To choose a company that offers the best value for money, you should stack them up against one another.  An Excel spreadsheet would be a convenient tool to compare services provided by each of the companies, fees they charge, customer reviews, and potential outcomes for your business.

3. Transparent reporting and fee structure

A property management company that you choose must provide regular financial and performance reports. You should have a clear-cut overview of how your business is progressing. Thus, you should be able to see occupancy rates for each of your properties, payouts, transaction histories, etc. 

When it comes to property management fees, an Airbnb property management company should be upfront about their fee structures, charges, including extra fees.

4. Extensive knowledge of the local market

To set up your short-term rental business for success, a property management company should have a solid understanding of the dynamics and competition at a local market. 

It should: 

• Help you come up with the most effective pricing strategy
• Stay on top of the latest short-term rental regulations, housing laws, and taxes
• Be able to provide local recommendations to your guests
• Develop promotional strategies.

5. Guest support

Response rate and response time, as well as great reviews, are essential for your ranking across top vacation rental platforms. So, communication and customer support can make or break your presence on online booking channels. Unattended guest requests and unreplied messages will cause damage to your rental busienss.

Ask your potential property manager how promptly they respond to guest messages? Do they use any special tools to automate guest communication? How long does it take to handle maintenance requests? 

20 Best Property Management Companies in North America and Europe

North America

1. Vacasa (CasaGo)

Vacasa offers full-service vacation rental management encompassing every aspect of running a profitable vacation rental. This is North America’s largest property management company with over 45,000 short-term rentals currently under their management. As of May 2025, CasaGo, another established US and Canada company, announced the completion of its acquisition of Vacasa.  

2. Evolve

Evolve will primarily help you with marketing your property, book up your calendar, and provide guests with 24/7 support. It manages over 30,000 properties around the world. Evolve has one of the lowest fees on the market — 10% of your Airbnb revenue. 

3. AvantStay

AvantStay is a luxury-focused vacation rental management company. They manage high-end, upscale vacation homes such as large estates, villas, and resort-style properties in vacation destinations across the U.S. and Mexico. They provide full service, including 24/7 concierge support and in-house maintenance.

4. Itrip

Itrip provides a full-service package for seamless short-term rental management. It oversees properties in over 100 destinations in the US and Canada. They sell franchises so anyone with hosting experience can take the plunge of starting their own short-term rental business.

5. Yonder

Yonder specializes in luxury vacation rental property management in the US. Since 2008, Yonder has earned over 9,000 5-star reviews and has been recognized by Airbnb as one of the best property management companies nationwide. 

6. Del Mar Vacation Rentals 

Del Mar Vacation Rentals offers full-service rental management and guaranteed income to property owners. Its services are available to short-term rentals around Cape Code, Massachusetts. 

7. Brett/Robinson 

Brett/Robinson offers a wide range of property management services for vacation rentals along the Gulf Coast, including Gulf Shores and Orange Beach, Alabama. With over 35 years of experience in the vacation rental industry, the company manages over 1,750 properties.

8. SkyRun

SkyRun represents over 950 vacation rental properties in over 30 locations across the US, Canada, and Mexico. Each SkyRun destination is locally operated with their own direct l phone number to provide the most hands-on experience possible.

9. Bnbcare

Bnbcare is a leading short-term rental management company in Vancouver, Canada. With over five years of local experience managing different types of Airbnb listings, the company offers a range of services to provide peace of mind to its customers and ensure profitability.

10. VTrips

VTrips is a Florida-based vacation rental property management company servicing Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Maryland, New Mexico, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Texas. Founded in 2002, they manage a portfolio of over 7,000 properties.

Europe

11. onefinestay

onefinestay is one of the largest holiday let management companies in Europe that manages 5,000 high-end properties in leisure destinations. The company provides a high level of services by appointing a local team of professionals with a dedicated Account Manager for each accommodation they oversee.

12. Awaze

Awaze is the leading vacation rental management business in Europe, with over 110,000 properties in more than 36 countries. The company owns many popular travel brands such as cottages.com, Hoseasons, James Villa Holidays, Landal GreenParks, and Novasol.

13. Houst

Houst (formerly Airsorted) is one of the biggest short-term rental management companies in Europe. It provides a full spectrum of vacation rental management services, from taking professional photos for your listings to housekeeping and maintenance. Commissions start from 12% of each booking.

14. Sykes Holiday Cottages

Sykes Holiday Cottages is the UK’s leading independent holiday let management agency. The company manages over 20,000 properties in the UK, Ireland, and New Zealand. Its main services include marketing, building an income strategy, a 24-hour emergency guest helpline, cleaning, and more.

15. Original Cottages

Original Cottages is one of the biggest vacation rental management companies in the UK that specializes in the management of villas, cottages, and chalets. The company offers high-impact marketing, a local personal service, legal advice, and property maintenance solutions.

16. Interhome

Interhome is a pan-European property management company headquartered in Glattbrugg near Zurich, Switzerland. The company is one of the biggest vacation rental property providers with over 60,000 properties in 31 countries. For homeowners, Interhome offers guaranteed income and a variety of services such as support of licenses and regulations, insurance, local professional property management, and a lot more.

17. Lomarengas

Lomarengas is the oldest and most well-known company that rents out vacation rental homes. It was founded in 1967 and offers its management services to the owners of cottages, chalets, and villas in Finland. 

18. Guestready

Guestready is a vacation rental management company that is active in Europe, the Middle East, and Southeast Asia. They manage the day-to-day operations of short-term rental apartments, including online listing, photography, pricing management, guest communication, cleaning, and more.

19. OYO Vacation Homes 

OYO Vacation Homes is one of the largest full-service vacation rental home management companies in the world. The company has over 54,000 properties under its management and provides a myriad of services to homeowners to ensure the success of their short-term rental businesses. 

About the Author
Olga Vasylieva is the Content and Social Media Team Lead at iGMS. Olga is on a mission to help hosts and property managers grow their businesses and deliver an excellent guest experience. She is a travel enthusiast and is inspired by life in all its aspects.