How we compare

A transparent comparison of Stay Managed against the alternatives. We think the detail matters more than the headline rate.

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No lock-in contracts 90-day pilot No mark-ups on costs 20% flat fee, all-inclusive

The real comparison is total cost of ownership

Headline management fees tell you very little. An agency charging 15% plus a monthly retainer, plus commission on cleaning, plus a per-booking fee, plus maintenance mark-ups often costs more than our flat 20% of net revenue.

We designed this page to help you compare properly. Not just fees, but what you actually get for them.

Feature comparison

FeatureBasicPremium
SupportEmail24/7 Phone
Response Time48 hours4 hours

What 20% actually looks like

Owner statement March 2026
Channel Nights Revenue
Airbnb 12 £1,240
Booking.com 8 £960
Direct bookings 5 £650
Gross total £2,850
Management fee (20%) −£570
Net to you 2,315

Long-let vs short-term rental

Long-let equivalent
1,200
Your STR net
2,315

That's 2,315 vs 1,200 — more in your pocket every month.

When comparing agencies, ask these questions: Do they commission on cleaning? Do they mark up maintenance? Is there a monthly retainer on top of the percentage? Is the percentage calculated on gross or net revenue? What happens if they miss an SLA? Our answer to all of these is transparent and published on our pricing page.

Why the headline rate misleads

A 12% management fee sounds attractive until you add a monthly retainer, per-booking charges, cleaning commissions, and maintenance mark-ups. The real cost can exceed 25% of gross revenue.

Our 20% covers everything. No retainer, no per-booking fee, no commission on cleaning or maintenance. Every charge appears on your monthly statement with a receipt. When you compare total cost of ownership, we are competitive with agencies charging half our headline rate.

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Common comparison questions

Why not just use the cheapest agent?

Lower management fees often mean lower service levels: slower response times, no quality verification, no compliance handling, and less revenue optimisation. The cheapest agent rarely delivers the best net income. Our 90-day pilot proves this with data.

Can I switch from another management company?

Yes. We handle the transition including listing migration, calendar continuity, and guest communication handover. Most transitions complete within 2-3 weeks. Check your existing contract for notice periods.

What if I am currently self-managing?

Many of our owners switched from self-management. The free property audit shows what professional management could deliver in additional revenue, minus our fee. If the net increase does not justify the cost, we will tell you.

Do you guarantee higher income than alternatives?

We do not guarantee revenue because market demand is outside our control. We guarantee governance: defined standards, measured outcomes, and service credits when we miss our SLAs. The 90-day pilot gives you real data to compare.

  • Not a franchise
  • No mark-ups
  • Real humans 24/7
  • Photo-verified quality
  • 90-day pilot

See the numbers for your property

Our free 48-hour property audit includes a revenue projection, fee comparison, and net income estimate. If we cannot beat your current arrangement, you keep the report at no cost.

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