Landlord Products / Services
Airbnb in London is big business!
As one of the world’s most visited cities, London consistently delivers some of the strongest short-let and Airbnb returns in the UK. High demand from tourists, business travellers, and short-stay visitors means occupancy rates and nightly prices can significantly outperform traditional buy-to-let investments.
However, managing an Airbnb in London is no joke. For landlords (or “hosts”) running one or juggling multiple properties, it can quickly become a full-time operation. Guest communication, pricing, cleaning, check-ins, and maintenance all need constant attention – a very different model to long-term letting.
That’s why many landlords are now turning to Airbnb Management Companies to handle the day-to-day workload. In London especially, these services are widely available due to strong demand and high market activity.
Because the London short-let market is so competitive, there’s also been a steady rise in Airbnb management providers operating in the capital – ranging from highly professional, established firms to newer entrants trying to break into the space. Over time, I’ve seen plenty come and go, merge, or rebrand to stay competitive.
It’s a crowded market – and not all providers are created equal.
That’s exactly why this guide exists: to help you understand what to look for in Airbnb management services in London, and how to identify providers that are genuinely capable of delivering a hands-off, well-managed, and profitable short-let operation. Isn’t that the dream?
| Service | Rating | Services | Founded | Price from | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
City Relay Top Pick | Rating TrustPilot Reviews | Services
| Founded2015 | Price from 12%+VAT | Visit Website Arrange a callback |
Smarthost | Rating TrustPilot Reviews | Services
| Founded2016 | Price from 12%+VAT | Visit Website |
Guest Ready | Rating TrustPilot Reviews | Services
| Founded2016 | Price from 12%+VAT | Visit Website |
Hello Guest | Rating TrustPilot Reviews | Services
| Founded2015 | Price 12% +VAT | Visit Website |
Pass the Keys | Rating TrustPilot Reviews | Services
| Founded2016 | Price from 15%+VAT | Visit Website |
Please note, I try my best to keep the information of each service up-to-date, but you should read the T&C's from their website for the most up-to-date and accurate information.
What Makes These My Recommended Airbnb Management Companies in London?
Good question.
- Established reputation – As mentioned earlier, this is a tough market to survive in. Over the years, I’ve seen several companies fold, particularly newer entrants that arrive promising to “disrupt the market” – most don’t.
The companies listed here are tried and tested, with many having over a decade of experience operating in London. That longevity speaks volumes: they know the market, understand the challenges, and are built to last.
I’m always cautious of newer providers that try to attract landlords with unrealistically low fees. In most cases, running a service like this on razor-thin margins simply isn’t sustainable.
- Highly rated – I know, I know – review platforms like Trustpilot aren’t perfect and can be manipulated. That said, these companies consistently receive strong feedback across multiple platforms, often over many years. That level of consistency is still a useful indicator of reliability, even if you take individual reviews with a pinch of salt.
- End-to-end service – You can effectively hand over the keys and let these companies handle everything. From marketing and guest communication to check-ins, cleaning, and property turnover, they manage the entire operation on your behalf, making the process as hands-off as possible.
- Price optimisation – Any reputable Airbnb management company uses a combination of software and local expertise to adjust nightly rates based on seasonality, demand, local events, and real-time market conditions – all aimed at maximising occupancy and revenue.
Most companies do this well, although I’ve come across a few that surprisingly don’t (for reasons I still can’t fully explain). To be clear: all the companies listed here use dynamic pricing strategies to help optimise returns.
- 24/7 guest support – Not all management companies offer this, but it’s a requirement for my shortlist. Guests should have round-the-clock support in case issues arise – it’s essential for maintaining a smooth guest experience.
If I were paying a 14%+ management fee and 24/7 support wasn’t included, I’d be seriously unimpressed.
- Flexible letting strategy – Every company featured offers a flexible letting approach, which is particularly important in London due to the 90-day rule (covered in more detail below).
How to Choose the Best Airbnb Management Company in London for You
Honestly, this is a difficult question because I’ve already tried to filter and list what I believe are some of the strongest Airbnb management companies in London. I also don’t have a vested interest in any particular provider, so this is purely based on research and experience.
That said, there are still a couple of key factors worth considering when making your final decision:
- Compare fees – Most Airbnb management companies in London charge between 10% and 20% of your rental income for a standard management package.
However, it’s important to compare like-for-like. Some providers include essentials such as guest communication, cleaning coordination, and maintenance management within their base fee, while others charge extra. Because of this, the cheapest option is not always the best value.
That said, the companies I’ve listed generally offer fairly similar services at comparable price points, so fees may not be the deciding factor. Still, it’s worth checking carefully for any small differences that could be important to you.
You may notice that Pass the Keys sits at the higher end of the pricing scale at around 20%. In my view, this is less about additional value and more likely related to their franchise model, whereas most competitors operate independently. I explore this in more detail in my Pass the Keys overview blog post.
- Check reviews and ratings – Look at genuine customer feedback across platforms such as Google, Trustpilot, and property forums. Pay particular attention to recurring themes in both positive and negative reviews, as these often reveal the most accurate picture of service quality.
Side note: I would normally include additional evaluation criteria here, but the companies featured in this guide have already passed a basic screening process.
For example, in a general guide to Airbnb management companies in London, I would strongly recommend checking whether they offer a flexible letting strategy – particularly important due to London’s 90-day rule. However, since all the companies listed here already provide this, I’ve not focused on it in this section.
Airbnb Management Fees in London (What to Expect)
Airbnb management fees in London tend to be slightly higher than in other parts of the UK, largely due to stronger demand, higher property values, and more complex operational requirements such as the 90-day rule and higher guest turnover.
Most Airbnb management companies in London typically charge between 12% – 20% of monthly rental income for a standard full management service.
However, it’s important to understand that pricing structures vary significantly between providers. Some companies operate a simple percentage-based fee, while others charge additional costs for services such as cleaning coordination, maintenance, linen changes, or emergency call-outs.
In general, you should expect:
- Lower-end fees (12-15%) – Often limited service scope or higher-volume operators
- Mid-range fees (15-18%) – Where most established London management companies sit
- Premium fees (18-20%+) – Typically include more hands-off service, branding support, or franchise-based operators
It’s also worth noting that the figures mentioned throughout this guide are typically “from” prices. While many providers advertise a starting management fee (for example, from 12%), they often also offer higher-tier or premium packages that include additional services such as enhanced guest support, interior styling, or more hands-off management.
In other words, the entry-level fee is not always the full picture. The actual cost will depend on the level of service you choose and how involved you want the management company to be in day-to-day operations.
It’s also worth noting that higher fees do not always mean lower returns. A well-run Airbnb management company may justify its cost through higher occupancy rates, better pricing optimisation, and reduced void periods.
The most important factor is not the percentage fee itself, but the overall net income you are left with after costs and occupancy are taken into account.
London’s Airbnb 90-Day Rule Explained
The 90-day rule is one of the most important regulations affecting short-let landlords in London, and a key reason Airbnb management companies are in such high demand.
Introduced in January 2017 under the Deregulation Act 2015, the rule limits entire residential properties in Greater London to short-term letting for a maximum of 90 nights per calendar year without requiring planning permission from the local council. In simple terms, you cannot operate a full-time Airbnb-style rental in London without restrictions.
While Airbnb management companies cannot bypass this limit, they can help landlords work within it effectively. Most providers use a flexible letting strategy that blends short-term, medium-term, and long-term bookings to maximise occupancy and revenue throughout the year.
Once a property reaches the 90-night short-let cap, it can typically be transitioned into longer-term rentals such as corporate lets or monthly agreements. This helps ensure the property continues to generate income rather than sitting vacant for the remainder of the year.
Although long-term rental rates are usually lower than short-let income, they often still outperform traditional single-tenancy buy-to-let returns when managed strategically.
A reputable Airbnb management company (such as those featured in this guide) will handle this transition for you, switching between rental types as needed and managing the entire process on your behalf. This is one of the key advantages of using a professional service in London’s heavily regulated short-let market.
Right, I’m done.
Hope that’s been useful. Any questions, feel free to drop them below.
Landlord out xo
Disclaimer: I'm just a landlord blogger; I'm 100% not qualified to give legal or financial advice. I'm a doofus. Any information I share is my unqualified opinion, and should never be construed as professional legal or financial advice. You should definitely get advice from a qualified professional for any legal or financial matters. For more information, please read my full disclaimer.
