# What commission does a holiday rental manager charge and what is it calculated on?

> On the Costa del Sol, between 15 and 20 % plus VAT, calculated on what the owner receives after the platform. What that commission should include, what is charged separately and how to compare two offers that look the same.
>
> Topic: The manager · Reviewed: 2026-09-22 · URL: https://mipisoturistico.app/en/guides/what-commission-does-a-holiday-rental-manager-charge
> Published by Mi Piso Turístico (Torremolinos Gestión Vacacional), a holiday-rental management company on the Costa del Sol.

**Short answer:** on the Costa del Sol, full management of a tourist home costs **between 15 % and 20 % plus VAT**, calculated **on what the owner receives after the platform's commission** (not on what the guest pays). Partial services (listings and pricing only) are around 8-12 %. The commission should include all the management work; repairs, materials and purchases are charged separately, at cost. **No fixed fees, no lock-in and a monthly statement you can understand**: that is what is normal.

## What is it calculated on?

It is the question that changes the result the most. Three possible bases:

| Calculation base | €1,000 booking via Booking | 15 % commission |
|---|---|---|
| On the **gross** (what the guest pays) | €1,000 | €150 |
| On the **net after the platform** (what the owner receives) | €837 | €125.55 |
| On the net **without cleaning** | €737 | €110.55 |

A "15 %" can be 12.6 % or 15 % of the gross depending on the base. Always ask: **15 % of what?** We calculate it on what the owner receives after the platform's cut; the cleaning is paid by the guest and is not part of the base.

## What should the commission include?

Everything that is work: licence, listings, pricing, guest service, keys, cleaning coordination, traveller registration, handling breakdowns, incidents, collections, statements, reviews. If a manager charges "extra" for answering messages or for the licence, it is not 15 %: it is more.

## What is charged separately, and how?

- **Cleaning**: the guest pays it as a supplement; the manager collects it and pays the team. Ask whether the supplement covers the real cost and whether there is a margin.
- **Repairs and materials**: at cost, with the supplier's invoice. Small jobs by the team itself are sometimes included.
- **Equipment purchases**: with your prior approval and at cost.
- **Professional photos**: sometimes included, sometimes €120-250 once.
- **Dealing with the owners' association or an inspection**: should be included.

## What does each price band include?

| Model | Usual commission | What it includes | What is still yours |
|---|---|---|---|
| **Channel manager / online co-hosting** | 8-12 % | Listings, pricing, calendar, guest messages, reviews | Keys, cleaning, breakdowns, neighbours, traveller registration (depending on the contract) |
| **Full management** | 15-25 % | All of the above plus licence, keys and late check-ins, cleaning coordination, traveller registration, breakdowns, association and inspections, monthly statement | Paying utilities, IBI, waste charge, association fees, insurance and repairs at cost |
| **"Premium" full management** | 20-25 % | The same with extras: professional photos, linen and consumables replacement included, preventive maintenance | The same |

In all three models the cleaning is paid by the guest as a supplement and the platform's commission is deducted first. Consumables, bed linen, replacements and repairs are paid by the owner at cost, unless the manager expressly includes them. Where the money really changes is in the **commission base**, in whether the **photos** are yours if you change manager and in whether there is a **lock-in**: ask for it in writing. The full comparison, task by task and expense by expense, is in [Channel manager or full management?](/guias/gestor-de-canales-o-gestion-integral).

## And fixed fees?

Some companies charge a monthly fee on top of the percentage, or a set-up fee. With a fixed fee, a month without bookings costs money. The logical thing is for the manager to earn when you earn: percentage only.

## With or without lock-in?

Without lock-in, or with short notice (30-60 days). A two-year contract with a penalty is a sign that the manager does not trust that you will want to stay because of their work. We cover it in [The management contract](/guias/contrato-de-gestion).

## Is it worth paying 15 % or 20 %?

In practice, a manager who prices well and keeps occupancy up **takes in 15 % to 30 % more** than an owner doing it in their spare time, and that usually covers the commission. What you are also buying is not having to be there: the phone, the keys, the Sunday cleanings. We compare the numbers for your flat in [Manager or do it myself?](/guias/gestor-o-hacerlo-yo).

## How do you compare two offers?

With the same example booking (€1,000 via Booking, €100 cleaning), ask each manager **how much would reach you**, fully itemised, and **a real statement for a similar flat** with the names blacked out. Percentages compare badly; the euros that reach your account compare well.

## Sources

- [Torremolinos Gestión Vacacional: management terms (15 % of what the owner receives, no lock-in)](https://www.gestion-apartamentos-turisticos-torremolinos.com)