The Full Guide to Airbnb Property Management [+18 Top Companies]

Managing your Airbnb doesn't have to mean doing everything yourself. Here's how to choose between property managers, co-hosts, and software that actually saves you time.

Key Takeaways

• Vacation rental managers and owners use software such as iGMS to handle guest turnover.
• Every Airbnb property management business offers a set of services. Learn how to compare them.
• To help you find the best property manager, we made a list of the top 18 companies that provide top-notch property management services in North America and Europe.
• Tap into the Airbnb Co-Host Network to find an ideal co-host.

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 choose, be sure to compare what each brings to the table.

In this article, we’ve put together everything you should know about self-managing your property, finding and hiring a third-party Airbnb property manager, co-host, or company. We've also short-listed some of the best management companies.

What is Airbnb Property Management?

Airbnb property management is a set of tasks performed by a vacation rental property owner or a property manager on their behalf.

Think of all the 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 

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

What If I Manage My Airbnb Myself?

Not every property owner wants to hand over control. That's all right. Self-managing your Airbnb means you stay in charge of every decision, keep all of your revenue, and build a direct relationship with your Airbnb guests.

The trade-off is time. Short-term rental hosts who manage independently are responsible for handling guest inquiries, maintaining an up-to-date booking calendar, coordinating a cleaning service between stays, and staying on top of all routine tasks.

For a single property and one channel, this is manageable. As your portfolio grows, it can quickly start to feel like a full-time job.

This is where Airbnb host tools and vacation rental software come into play. Here's how.

How Property Management Software Can Help Me?

A PMS is built specifically for Airbnb hosts and property managers. iGMS is the top property management software. You can self-manage your properties without burning out.

Here's what it does for you:

• Channel management: No need to log into multiple booking sites separately because iGMS syncs your calendars, pricing, and availability across all platforms from one dashboard. Double bookings are simply not possible.
• Cleaning and maintenance tasks: Automatically notify your cleaning team after every checkout. You can also schedule routine maintenance so nothing slips through the cracks.
• Guest communications: Set up automated message flows to deliver the right information to guests at the right time. Start with a booking confirmation and finish with checkout instructions or post-stay messages.
• Direct bookings: Create your own booking website with iGMS in just a few steps using templates, allowing guests to book directly with you and helping you avoid commission fees charged by booking sites.

What if I Hire an Airbnb Property Manager?

Hire external Airbnb property managers if you're looking for a complete hands-off hosting experience.

Vacation rental property managers often hold a real estate license. Some are well-known national brands, while others operate on a smaller, local scale.

Pros

• These companies do marketing for your listing.
• Deep knowledge of the local market and trends
• They handle the financial side of your business

Cons

• High expenses 
• Bound by the contract 
• No control over the guest experience 

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.

1. Advice on local laws and regulations

A property management company can advise you on how to run your business in compliance with local laws and regulations and reduce the risk of fines and penalties.

2. Guest communication and customer support

While effective guest communication is a key element in providing a great guest experience, you can get overwhelmed by trying to reply to every incoming message promptly. A property management company can provide 24/7 communication 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 

Pricing strategy should be tweaked year-round. Otherwise, you can face significant revenue losses. A property management company will adjust your property rates by analyzing competition and local events to maximize occupancy. The right property manager will base its revenue strategy on dynamic pricing.

5. Reporting

A company monitors your data to understand your business performance. For example, by identifying your most effective channels, you will be able to optimize your strategy for revenue growth and distribute budgets 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 average amount of Airbnb property management fees is calculated based on several factors. If discussing a rough range, they may vary between 15% and 50% 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? 

There are three main fee structures to be aware of:

Commission model: The most common one. The company takes a percentage of your monthly Airbnb revenue. This incentivizes managers to perform well, since their earnings depend on yours.

Guaranteed model: The company pays YOU a fixed amount regardless of bookings or season. It's predictable, but you won't benefit from high-season demand spikes.

Flat-rate model: You pay the COMPANY a fixed monthly fee and keep all your rental revenue. Always read the contract carefully, as many companies add extra charges on top for essential services.

How to Choose the Best Property Management Company?

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

Ratings and referrals

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.

Value for money

An Excel spreadsheet would be a convenient tool to compare services provided by each of the companies, the fees they charge, customer reviews, and potential outcomes for your business.

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. 

An Airbnb property management company should be upfront about its fee structures, charges, and extra fees. Double-check the contract to ensure there are no hidden fees.

Extensive knowledge of the local market

A vacation rental property management company should have a solid understanding of the dynamics and competition in 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.

Guest support

Response rate and response time are essential for your ranking across top vacation rental platforms. Communication and customer support can make or break your presence on online booking channels, so this is non-negotiable. Unattended guest requests and unreplied messages will damage your rental busienss and prompt guests to leave negative reviews.

18 Best Property Management Companies in North America and Europe

1. Vacasa

Vacasa offers full-service vacation rental management. This is North America’s largest property management company with over 40,000 short-term rentals currently under its management. In 2025, Vacasa was acquired by CasaGo.

2. Evolve

Evolve will primarily help you with marketing your property, booking up your calendar, and providing guests with 24/7 support. It manages over 30,000 properties around the world. Evolve has one of the lowest fees on the market, starting from 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. It sells franchises, so anyone with hosting experience can take the plunge and start 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 luxury 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. SkyRun lets managers launch their own vacation rental management franchise under its brand, providing them with training, technology, and marketing support to get started.

9. 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. They manage a portfolio of over 7,000 properties through numerous acquisitions.

10. Bnbcare

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

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 is one of the biggest short-term rental management companies in Europe. It provides a full spectrum of vacation rental management services. Commissions start from 14% 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.

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. Belvilla

Belvilla (by OYO Vacation Homes) is one of the largest full-service vacation rental home management companies in the world. The company has over 40,000 properties under its management in the Netherlands, Belgium, Germany, France, Italy, Spain, and Great Britain.

What if I Hire an Airbnb Co-host?

A co-host is brought on board to assist with your listing on Airbnb (and some other platforms). They handle guest communication, calendar management, cleaning coordination, and some maintenance tasks.

Co-hosts get paid a flat fee or 10-20% of your income and are often found through word-of-mouth recommendations. Airbnb has introduced a Co-Host Network, which helps match busy property owners with individuals looking to earn income with hosting.

Pros

• Lower fees than property management companies
• Flexibility in delegating tasks
• No access to your payout or taxpayer information.

Cons

• Costs can vary
• Still requires owner involvement

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

Find a co-host on Airbnb’s Co-Host Network. Type in your listing’s location to see nearby available co-hosts. You’ll be able to check their profiles and guest ratings.

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's to say, 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.

24/7 Short-Term Rentals Automation

Whether you are a self-managing host, work with professionals, or run an Airbnb property management company, iGMS will up your game. Try out our software for free. You'll love the hands-off experience.

About the Author
Olga Vasylieva is the former 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.