What London Airbnb Management Companies Do
Operating short-term rentals in London from abroad comes with many challenges: guest arrivals, maintenance issues, compliance with local short-let regulations, key handovers, cleaning, and dynamic pricing. Top management firms step in to handle:
- Listing setup, optimization, and channel management
- Calendar syncing and booking coordination
- Guest communication, screening, check-in / check-out
- Professional cleaning, laundry, restocking
- Maintenance, repairs, and emergency response
- Compliance assistance (permits, licensing, local regulations)
- Owner dashboards for revenue, occupancy, and reporting
These firms let international owners stay hands-off while ensuring their property remains competitive and well managed.
(London’s top firms charge commission rates typically between 12% and 20% of rental revenue)
Leading London Airbnb Management Firms (Examples)
Here are five commonly cited management companies in London suited for overseas hosts:
| Company | Key Features | Commission / Notes |
|---|---|---|
| GuestReady | Established brand, full suite services + owner dashboard | From ~12% commission |
| Houst | Automated tools, revenue optimization, strong guest support | Commission ~12% base, can increase with add-ons |
| Pass the Keys | Franchise model, local teams across London boroughs | ~20% + VAT on revenue |
| Your AirHost | Boutique service, tailored hosting, short / mid / corporate lets | Starts ~15% + VAT (varies) |
| City Relay / UpperKey | City Relay: focus on performance & tools; UpperKey: guaranteed rent model option | Commission ~20%, or guaranteed rent from ~17% |
When Hiring a London Management Company Makes Sense
- You live overseas and cannot attend to guest issues or check-in in person
- You have multiple properties and want to centralize operations
- You want help navigating UK short-let regulations and compliance
- You desire to maximize occupancy and revenue without hands-on daily operations
Some hosts still self-manage when:
- They live locally or nearby
- They want full control of guest experience
- Their margins are tight, and every cost matters
How Dogpay Enhances Cross-Border Payment Flows for London Airbnb Hosts
When your property is in London but many financial flows (rental payments, vendor costs, refunds, commissions) cross borders or involve foreign currencies, Dogpay can significantly streamline and improve those flows:
- Receiving Rental Income from Abroad If guest revenue or booking platforms route funds via foreign accounts, Dogpay helps convert and forward them into your UK (or local) account with transparency in fees and exchange rates.
- Paying Management / Commission Fees Use Dogpay to remit management commission fees to the London company (or their international branches) with clarity on currency conversion and minimal hidden charges.
- Covering Setup / Furnishing / Licensing Costs You may need to engage international vendors (furniture, interior design, licensing consultants). Dogpay ensures these cross-border payments are executed cleanly.
- Utility / Maintenance / Vendor Expenses Vendors, cleaners, repair services may sometimes be contracted from abroad or accept foreign currencies; Dogpay helps remit those costs reliably.
- Refunds / Deposit Returns to International Tenants When refunding security deposits or paying back guests abroad, Dogpay ensures accurate payout in their currency/account, with a clear audit trail.
- Receipts, Logs & Audit Trail for Compliance Dogpay provides timestamped transaction logs, exportable receipts, and clean financial records — helpful for tax audits, owner reporting, or multi-jurisdiction compliance.
- Minimizing Hidden Bank / FX Leakage Traditional cross-border bank transfers often carry hidden markup, intermediary fees, and unfavorable exchange spreads. Using Dogpay helps reduce that “leakage,” so more of your revenue goes toward your intended uses.
