How to hire an Airbnb property manager

Managing an Airbnb rental sounds simple – until you’re juggling check-ins, guest messaging, turnovers, and late-night emergency calls. That’s when many short-term rental owners start wondering: “Can I hire someone to manage my Airbnb?” The answer is yes, and in this guide, we’ll walk you through everything you need to know about how to hire an Airbnb property manager, what they actually do, and how to choose the right setup for your business.

Should you self-manage or hire a property manager?

Before deciding to hire a property manager, consider whether self-management might be a better fit for you. Managing your Airbnb yourself has benefits, like complete control over pricing and guest interactions, but it also requires time and effort.

Here’s a quick comparison:

Factor	Self-management	Hiring a property manager
Control	Full control over pricing, policies, and guest communication	Limited control, as the manager handles most decisions
Time commitment	High – requires daily involvement	Low – manager handles operations
Guest experience	Personal interaction and customized service	Professional but less personalized
Revenue	Higher profit potential, but only if managed efficiently	Lower net income due to management fees (usually 20-40% of revenue)
Emergency handling	The manager handles emergencies 24/7	The property manager provides or oversees cleaning teams
Cleaning & maintenance	Must find and coordinate reliable services	Property manager provides or oversees cleaning teams
Flexibility	Can adjust pricing and availability as needed	Often subject to management company policies
Stress level	Can be high, especially for remote hosts	Reduced stress – passive income model

If you’re overwhelmed by daily tasks or managing from a distance, hiring a property manager can be a great solution.

What does an Airbnb property manager do?

An Airbnb property manager handles the day-to-day operations of your rental. Their goal is to maximize guest satisfaction, reduce your workload, and help increase your revenue. Depending on your needs and the company or individual you hire, services may include:

• Creating and optimizing your Airbnb listing

• Dynamic pricing and revenue management

• Guest communication before, during, and after the stay

• Coordinating check-ins and check-outs

• Managing cleaning and maintenance

• Restocking amenities and supplies

• Handling reviews and guest feedback

• Ensuring compliance with local laws

One of the biggest challenges in short-term rental management is finding reliable cleaners. If you self-manage, you’ll need to establish a trustworthy relationship with a cleaning service, which can be difficult. Property managers often have in-house cleaning teams or contracts with professional services to ensure consistency and quality.

Some Airbnb managers are local professionals; others are part of larger Airbnb rental management companies that handle dozens (or hundreds) of listings.

Does Airbnb have property managers?

Airbnb itself doesn’t directly offer property management services. However, the platform allows hosts to add co-hosts – people who can help manage listings and interact with guests. If you want more robust support, third-party Airbnb property managers or vacation rental management companies are your best bet.

What are your options for managing an Airbnb?

There are three main routes:

1. Hire a full-service Airbnb property manager

• Best for: absentee owners or those wanting a hands-off approach

• Fee: Usually 20%-40% of booking revenue

2. Work with a co-host

• Best for: owners who want to stay partially involved

• Fee: Typically 10%–20% depending on responsibilities

3. Use property management software for Airbnb

• Best for: DIY hosts who want to save time and automate routine tasks

• Fee: Flat monthly rate (usually much lower than commission-based management)

Many experienced hosts find that combining a trusted co-host and automation tools gives them the best of both worlds.

Some hosts also take a hybrid approach – self-managing during slower seasons and hiring a property manager for peak months. This method allows them to save on fees while still benefiting from professional support when demand is highest.

If you’re tech-savvy and prefer to keep management costs low, using automation tools like Guesty can be a smart alternative to hiring a property manager. These platforms handle guest messaging, pricing adjustments, task scheduling, and channel management, allowing you to manage multiple properties with minimal effort. Some hosts even find that using Guesty eliminates the need for a full-time manager.

Airbnb rental management company vs. individual manager

Choosing between hiring an Airbnb rental management company or working with an independent property manager depends on your goals, level of involvement, and budget. Each option has its pros and cons – and the decision often comes down to how much control you want to keep versus how much you’re willing to outsource.

Here’s a side-by-side comparison to help you decide which model fits your short-term rental strategy:

	Airbnb rental management company	Independent property manager
Scope of services	Full-service: marketing, pricing, communication, cleaning, maintenance	Often flexible and can be tailored to specific needs
Structure	Larger teams, dedicated departments, standardized systems	More personal approach, usually managed by 1–2 people
Technology use	Usually includes automation tools, PMS systems, channel managers	Varies — may or may not use modern tech (important to check!)
Availability	Often covers multiple cities or regions	Typically focused on one local area
Flexibility	Less flexible with contract terms and pricing	Can offer more custom deals and arrangements
Pricing	Often commission-based, 20–40% of rental income	Commission or flat fee, usually negotiable
Support	24/7 support lines, backup teams during emergencies	Depends on individual capacity — may be limited during peak seasons

Tip: Check their tech stack. Even the best property manager should be using some kind of automation or channel management software to keep operations running smoothly.

Guesty offers powerful automation tools for short-term rental managers that can streamline guest communication, task management, calendar syncing, and more.

How to hire a property manager for your Airbnb

Ready to hand off the keys? Here’s a step-by-step plan:

Step 1: Define what you need

• Full-time management or help with guest communication only?
• Do you want multi-channel support (Airbnb, Vrbo, Booking.com)?
• What’s your monthly budget?

Step 2: Research local and online options

• Look for companies with Airbnb experience and strong reviews
• Browse Facebook groups, LinkedIn, or host forums
• Ask other hosts in your area for referrals

Step 3: Interview multiple candidates

Questions to ask:

• What services are included?
• What software do you use?
• Do you offer dynamic pricing?
• How do you handle emergencies?
• What’s your commission or fee structure?

Step 4: Review the contract carefully

• Look out for hidden fees, long-term commitments, or vague clauses
• Clarify who is responsible for maintenance, supplies, and guest reviews
• Some management companies require long-term contracts that are difficult to exit. If flexibility is important to you, look for month-to-month options or negotiable terms.

Step 5: Start with a trial period

• Before signing a long-term deal, test the relationship for a few months
• Monitor guest feedback, booking performance, and communication speed.

Tips for making the most of your Airbnb property manager

Once you’ve selected a property manager, it’s important to set expectations and use the right tools to collaborate effectively:

• Establish clear communication from the start, including preferred response times and channels.
• Set performance benchmarks like response rates, review scores, and occupancy goals.
• Leverage automation tools to reduce friction. With platforms like Guesty Lite, you can maintain visibility and control even when outsourcing day-to-day tasks.

Guesty Lite is designed for individual hosts and small portfolios, offering a user-friendly dashboard for task automation, guest messaging, and channel management across Airbnb, Vrbo, Booking.com, and more.

Final thoughts

Hiring an Airbnb property manager can be a game-changer if you’re overwhelmed, scaling fast, or managing remotely. Whether you opt for a full-service management company, a co-host, or a software-driven solution like Guesty, the right setup can help you grow revenue, reduce stress, and create better guest experiences.

The key is knowing your goals, setting clear expectations, and choosing a partner or tool that fits your business model. For many hosts, the best results come from blending tech with trusted people – letting automation handle the busywork while you focus on the big picture.