Holiday let management is when a company runs your holiday home for you: the listings, pricing, guests, cleaning between stays and repairs. Published guides put UK management fees at about 15% to 30% of bookings, and BNBCalc's data shows larger holiday homes in places like Bournemouth and Chichester taking about £63,000 a year in bookings.
What could your home earn?
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Key takeaways
- A holiday let manager handles listings, pricing, guests, cleaning and repairs for a percentage of bookings.
- Houst puts UK fees at 15% to 30%, and Pass the Keys gives 15% to 25% for the Cotswolds.
- BNBCalc puts 4+ bedroom homes at about £63,000 a year in Bournemouth and Chichester, and £55,000 in the Lake District.
- HMRC abolished the furnished holiday lettings tax regime from April 2025.
- Many councils now charge extra council tax on furnished second homes.
Your holiday home, without the Friday-night calls
The changeover that runs late with guests waiting in the car. The hot tub that stops on a bank holiday. The review that mentions sand in the beds. Guestwise takes all of it on, from 12% + VAT, with a local manager in Bournemouth, Chichester, the Lake District, the Cotswolds and more.
What does a holiday let management company do?
The same jobs as any short-let manager, with more weight on changeovers and seasons: professional photos and listings on Airbnb, Booking.com and Vrbo, prices that rise for summer and fall in winter, guest messages, cleaning and linen between every stay, repairs, and a monthly statement.
How much does holiday let management cost?
| Source | What it says |
|---|---|
| Houst | 15% to 30% of booking revenue, and 15% to 25% in secondary UK cities |
| Pass the Keys | Typical fees of 15% to 25% in the Cotswolds |
| Guestwise | From 12% + VAT, up to 20% + VAT. Onboarding usually £150, waived on full-time packages |
How much can a holiday let earn?
| Market | Average listing a year | 4+ bedroom homes a year | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bournemouth, Poole and Christchurch | £27,000 | £63,000 | BNBCalc, May 2026 |
| Chichester | £27,000 | £63,000 | BNBCalc, May 2026 |
| Kendal, Windermere and Ambleside | £31,000 | £55,000 | BNBCalc, May 2026 |
| Cheltenham and the Cotswolds | £34,000 | £53,000 | BNBCalc, May 2026 |
These are BNBCalc's estimates of bookings before platform fees, cleaning, management and running costs.
How are holiday lets taxed now?
HMRC states that the furnished holiday lettings tax regime was abolished from April 2025, removing the tax advantages that holiday lets had over standard residential lets. GOV.UK guidance also explains when a holiday let pays business rates instead of council tax. An accountant is the right person to check how this applies to you.
Do holiday homes pay more council tax?
Often, yes. GOV.UK guidance explains how councils in England can charge a premium on furnished second homes. Our city pages show the position where we've found the council's own confirmation, for example Cambridge and Chichester.
Will holiday lets need to be registered?
GOV.UK sets out how the government is delivering a registration scheme for short-term lets in England, which will include holiday lets. Our register guide explains what to get ready.
What should you ask a holiday let manager?
- What is the fee charged on, and is VAT extra?
- Who does changeovers on busy summer Saturdays, and how are they checked?
- How do prices change between peak weeks and winter?
- What happens if something breaks during a stay, and how fast can someone get there?
- How long is the contract, and what does it cost to leave?
See what your holiday home could earn. Free and instant, with no obligation. Get my free valuation.
Frequently asked questions
What is holiday let management?
A company running your holiday home for you: listings, pricing, guests, cleaning between stays and repairs, usually for a percentage of bookings.
How much do holiday let management companies charge?
Houst puts UK management fees at 15% to 30% of booking revenue, and Pass the Keys gives 15% to 25% for the Cotswolds. Guestwise charges from 12% + VAT.
How much can a holiday let earn in the UK?
BNBCalc puts 4+ bedroom homes at about £63,000 a year in bookings in Bournemouth and Chichester, £55,000 in the Kendal, Windermere and Ambleside market, and £53,000 in Cheltenham (May 2026).
Do holiday lets still get special tax treatment?
No. HMRC states the furnished holiday lettings tax regime was abolished from April 2025, removing the tax advantages holiday lets had over standard residential lets.
Related guides
Sources
- Houst: Airbnb management fees explained (2026)
- Pass the Keys: Airbnb management in the Cotswolds, maximising earnings
- GOV.UK (HMRC): Furnished holiday lettings tax regime abolition
- GOV.UK: Letting out a self-catering holiday home in England, rules and regulations
- GOV.UK: Council tax premiums on second homes, guidance
- GOV.UK: Delivering a registration scheme for short-term lets
- BNBCalc: Bournemouth market data
- BNBCalc: Chichester market data
- BNBCalc: Kendal market data (Kendal, Windermere, Ambleside)
- BNBCalc: Cheltenham market data
Figures come from the named sources on the dates shown and can change. This is general information, not legal, tax or financial advice.