Two proposals arrive to manage your flat. One says 15%. The other, 22%. It looks like an easy choice until you read the small print: the first charges cleaning separately, a setup fee and a markup on repairs. The second includes almost everything.
The percentage is only half the answer. Here’s what a holiday rental management company usually charges, what the commission is calculated on, what it includes, what you pay on top and how to compare two offers without getting it wrong.
What management companies charge: the usual ranges
There’s no official rate and no public study of management fees in Spain. The closest thing is the industry’s own guides. One of the most quoted, from PriceLabs (updated in May 2026), gives these ranges for 2026:
| Level of service | Typical fee |
|---|---|
| Co-hosting or channel management | 10–15% |
| Partial management | 15–20% |
| Full management | 20–30% |
| Full management in luxury or remote markets | 30–45% |
Two warnings before you treat that as a benchmark. First, those figures come mainly from the US market, where costs are different. Second, the percentage alone says little: two companies with the same fee can leave you with very different amounts at the end of the month.
What does hold everywhere is the logic: the more tasks you hand over, the higher the percentage.
What the percentage is calculated on (and why it varies so much)
This is the question people forget most. And the one that moves the most money.
A booking isn’t a single figure. There’s what the guest pays, what the platform keeps, the cleaning fee and sometimes taxes or levies. Depending on the company, the commission may be calculated on:
→ The gross amount, what the guest pays, sometimes including the cleaning fee.
→ The net amount, what’s left after Airbnb’s, Booking’s or another platform’s fee.
→ The net amount without the cleaning fee, the most favourable for the owner.
A simple example with round numbers: a €1,000 booking where the platform keeps, say, €150. 20% of the gross is €200. Of the net, €170. A €30 difference on a single booking. Multiply that by a year’s bookings.
Always ask for the calculation base in writing, with an example. If the answer is vague, that’s a bad sign.
Three ways to charge: percentage, fixed fee or hybrid
Almost every management company uses one of these models:
- A percentage of bookings. The most common. No bookings, no fee; if the flat does well, the company earns more. Its interests and yours point the same way.
- A fixed monthly fee. You pay the same every month, whether there are many bookings or few. It can work for high-occupancy properties, but in the low season you pay the same.
- Hybrid. A lower percentage plus individual services charged separately: setup, photos, maintenance management. Well explained, it’s transparent; badly explained, it’s where the surprises appear.
None is better by definition. What matters is knowing, before you sign, what you’d pay in a good month and in a quiet one.
What the fee usually includes and what’s charged on top
With full management, the percentage usually covers the day-to-day work:
- The listing on the platforms and keeping it up to date.
- Pricing and the calendar.
- Bookings and guest messages.
- Coordinating the cleaning.
- Check-ins and check-outs, in person or with a key box.
- A regular report for the owner.
And this is what is almost always paid separately:
- Cleaning at each changeover. It’s often passed on to the guest as a cleaning fee on the platform, but the invoice goes to the owner.
- Laundry of sheets and towels.
- Repairs and maintenance. Ask whether the company adds a markup to the tradesperson’s invoice.
- Utilities, community fees, insurance and taxes, which are property costs.
- A setup fee, professional photos or creating the listing, with some companies.
- Amenities and restocking of toilet roll, soap, coffee…
None of these items is a problem if it’s clear from the start. The problem is finding them on the first invoice.
How to compare two management offers
Before you choose, ask for written answers to these questions:
- What amount is the fee calculated on? Gross, net, with or without cleaning.
- Does the percentage include VAT? The fee is a service and carries VAT; some companies quote it included and others don’t.
- What’s charged outside the percentage? A full list, with prices.
- Is there a minimum term or setup fee? How much notice do I need to give to cancel?
- Who receives the booking money, and when does it reach me?
- What report do I get, and how often? With every booking, its amount and the fee.
- Who sets the nightly price? Can I set a minimum?
- What happens if a guest breaks something? Who claims, and how do I find out?
- Can I block dates for myself?
With those nine answers, two offers that looked the same stop looking alike. And one that looked expensive sometimes turns out to be the clearest.
An example with numbers
Just to show how it’s calculated. A one-bedroom flat with five bookings of three nights at €100 a night in a month: €1,500 in bookings, after the platform’s fee.
- With management at 15%, the fee is €225.
- With full management at 20%, it’s €300.
- If each clean costs €45, the five come to €225.
The owner would keep €1,050 in the first case and €975 in the second, before VAT on the services, taxes and laundry. It’s an illustration: occupancy and nightly prices change every month, and vary a lot by area and season.
What we charge
At Hola Limpio we’ve been cleaning holiday lets in Jerez and around the Bay of Cádiz since 2023, and now we manage them too. We explain it plainly on our plans and pricing page:
- Cleaning & linen: no commission, you pay for each turnover clean.
- Management: 15% of bookings + VAT, plus the cleaning at each changeover.
- Full service: 20% + VAT, with seasonal pricing, guest check-in and maintenance coordination.
The fee is calculated on the booking amount after the platform’s own fee. No tie-in, no setup fee, and a monthly summary showing every booking and what’s due to us.
What to do next
If you’re comparing offers, use the nine questions above with every company, including us. And if you’d like to know which plan suits your property, see how our holiday rental management works or ask for a free consultation.
If you prefer, message us on WhatsApp on +34 604 82 90 44 with the area, the number of bedrooms and whether it’s already listed. We reply within 2 hours during business hours.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a holiday rental management company charge?
Usually a percentage of booking income. Industry guides quote 10–15% for basic co-hosting, 15–20% for partial management and 20–30% for full management, although those ranges come mainly from the US market. What matters most is what the percentage is calculated on and what it includes.
Is the management fee calculated on the full booking amount?
It depends on the company. Some calculate it on the gross amount the guest pays; others on what's left after the platform's own fee, and some leave out the cleaning fee. With the same percentage, the difference over a year can be significant, so ask for it in writing.
Which costs are usually not included in the fee?
Cleaning at each changeover, laundry, repairs and utilities are normally paid separately and, with some companies, a setup fee, professional photos or restocking amenities. Before signing, ask for a list of everything charged outside the percentage.
Does the management fee include VAT?
In Spain the fee is a service and carries VAT (IVA) like any other. Some companies quote the percentage with VAT included and others without, so when comparing offers make sure you're comparing like with like.
Is it worth paying a management company or should I do it myself?
It's worth it when you don't live nearby, have little time or several properties, or want to hand over messages and arrivals. If you live close, have the time and just one property, managing it yourself and booking only the cleaning may be enough.