Airbnb Management vs Letting Agent: What’s Better for Landlords?

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If you’re a landlord in 2025 looking to boost your income, you’re likely weighing up your options: Should you stick with a traditional letting agent, or explore Airbnb and short-term letting? And if you go down the Airbnb route, should you manage it yourself or hand it over to a professional?

This brings us to the hot topic:Airbnb management vs letting agent— what’s better for you as a landlord?

AtEason Stays, we’ve helped dozens of landlords transition from traditional rentals to hands-free, high-yield short-term lets. In this blog, we’ll break down the key differences, pros and cons, and how to make the best decision for your property.

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What’s the Difference Between an Airbnb Management Company and a Letting Agent?

Letting agents are the traditional choice — they market your property, find tenants, manage contracts, and handle repairs. In return, they typically charge a percentage of your monthly rent (usually 8–15%).

Airbnb management companies, like Eason Stays, do something similar, but for short-term guests. Instead of finding a long-term tenant, they manage your property on platforms like Airbnb and Booking.com, handling everything from pricing to guest messages, cleaning, and check-ins.

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Pros & Cons at a Glance

Feature	Letting Agent	Airbnb Management
Rental Model	Long-term tenancy	Nightly/short-term stays
Income	Stable but often lower	Higher income potential
Management Fee	8–15% of rent	15–25% of revenue
Flexibility	Low (fixed tenancy)	High (use the property when vacant)
Guest Experience	Not applicable	Fully managed, 5-star focused
Maintenance	Reactive	Proactive & guest-ready
Booking Platforms	Rightmove, Zoopla	Airbnb, Booking.com, Direct

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Income Potential: Airbnb Wins (If Done Properly)

Let’s talk numbers.

A 2-bed flat in Manchester city centre might rent out for £1,200 per month via a letting agent. On Airbnb, the same property can generate £2,000–£3,000+ per month, depending on seasonality and occupancy.

Even after paying a management fee, your net income is often 30–70% higher with a good Airbnb operator.

The catch? You need strong occupancy, great reviews, and seamless operations — that’s where Airbnb management companies come in.

Workload: Who Handles More?

If you’ve ever managed a property yourself, you know it’s not as hands-off as you’d like.

• Letting Agent: Handles tenant issues, arrears, property checks, and renewals. But you’re still on the hook for major decisions, rent gaps, or legal issues.
• Airbnb Management: Handles guest screening, 24/7 comms, cleaners, maintenance, pricing, reviews, and you receive a detailed payout report each month.

At Eason Stays, our landlords receive their income without needing to answer a single guest message. It’s as close to “hands-free” as it gets.

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Flexibility: Want to Use the Property Sometimes?

This is where Airbnb management shines.

With traditional letting agents, you’re usually tied into a 6- or 12-month tenancy. Want to visit your own flat for a weekend? Not possible.

With Airbnb:

• You can block out dates for personal use
• You can use it between guests
• You can even offer it to friends/family at zero cost

Many landlords appreciate the flexibility that comes with short-term lets, especially if they’re splitting time between cities or planning a future sale.

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Regulation & Risk: Which Has More?

Let’s be honest — both models come with legal and compliance obligations.

Letting Agent Risks:

• Rent arrears
• Eviction complications
• Property damage
• Tenant subletting

Airbnb Risks:

• Local regulations (especially in big cities)
• Guest damages (though protected by Airbnb’s Host Guarantee)
• Cleaning and maintenance logistics

A reputable Airbnb management company will handle compliance, insurance, and licensing. At Eason Stays, we’ve guided dozens of landlords through property licensing, fire safety compliance, and risk reduction.

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Landlord Goals: Which Fits Your Strategy?

Here’s how to decide what suits you best:

Goal	Best Option
Passive income, zero effort	Airbnb Management
Stable, long-term tenant	Letting Agent
Highest ROI possible	Airbnb (with pro management)
Use the property occasionally	Airbnb
Avoid guest turnover	Letting Agent

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Case Study: Letting Agent vs Airbnb Management

Property: 1-bed apartment, Birmingham City Centre
Letting Agent Return: £850/month
Airbnb Management (via Eason Stays): £1,600/month average revenue
Net Profit (after fees, cleaning, etc.): £1,200/month
Extra Income: +£4,200/year

Plus, the landlord never dealt with a guest, a cleaner, or a maintenance issue — everything was handled by our in-house team.

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Misconceptions: Airbnb is More Risky… Right?

One of the biggest myths we hear is that short-term lets are “less secure.” But let’s reframe that.

• With long-term tenants, if they stop paying, you could go months without income (plus legal fees).
• With Airbnb, each guest pays in advance. If they cancel? Your calendar opens to others.

Airbnb lets you diversify your income, adapt pricing during peak seasons, and respond to market demand far more flexibly.

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Ready to Compare Your Options?

Still unsure which route is best for your property?

At Eason Stays, we offer a free Airbnb income estimate to help landlords compare traditional rental income vs short-let earnings potential.

👉 Free Airbnb Valuation Tool

Or speak to one of our specialists directly to find out if your property qualifies:
👉HERE to Book a Call

Whether you choose to partner with us or just want honest advice, we’re here to help.

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Final Thoughts

The Airbnb management vs letting agent debate comes down to your goals, your risk tolerance, and how involved you want to be.

If you value:

✅ Higher monthly returns
✅ Zero tenant risk
✅ A hands-off, fully managed experience

…then Airbnb management could be the smarter choice, especially in today’s evolving rental market.

Just make sure you partner with a team that can deliver. At Eason Stays, we’re proud to support landlords across the UK with expert Airbnb services that prioritise both income and peace of mind.

Want to see how much more your property could earn?

👉Free Airbnb Valuation

We’ll provide a no-obligation income estimate and show you how your returns could change — no management headaches required.

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