Managing an Airbnb in 2026: self-management vs professional

Managing your short-term rental yourself may feel like the obvious choice, and it certainly has its perks! No fees, full control, and the comfort of doing things your way. But is it cheaper — or better — in the long run compared to working with an Airbnb management company?

For many Australian hosts, the answer can surprising. What feels like saving money through self-management can actually cost you more — in lost income, guest issues, 5:00 am emergencies, and hours of unpaid labour.

Let’s take a closer look at what DIY hosting demands, and what you can gain from partnering with a short-term rental property manager.

Is it hard to manage an Airbnb?

While many think of Airbnb hosting as a source of passive income, it's actually a lot more involved than it seems. Day-to-day tasks of Airbnb hosts include:

• Monitoring your Airbnb listing
• Responding to guest inquiries and reviews
• Coordinating guest check-ins and check-outs
• Scheduling Airbnb cleans, property turnovers, and managing maintenance
• Property inspection for any damage in-between guests

This level of hands-on effort often amounts to 20-40 hours per week, without guaranteed results. And that’s before you factor in distance; depending on your proximity to your property, this number can continue to increase further.

The pros and cons of self-managing an Airbnb

If you’re asking yourself, “Can I self-manage a rental property?” here are some common challenges self-managed property owners face:

• missed revenue from outdated pricing or calendar gaps,
• lower guest ratings from inconsistent experiences,
• operational breakdowns when cleaners or trades fall through, and
• lost time which could’ve been spent elsewhere — with family, at work, or on holiday.

When self-managing, many homeowners become reactive and get stuck in a cycle of constant problem-solving instead of growing their property’s potential.

Can I get someone to manage my Airbnb?

Yes, you can work together with an Airbnb manager to help you run your short-term rental. A full-service Airbnb management company like Hometime typically offers the following services:

• Local hosting experts who manage guest experience, quality control, and operations.
• An in-house, expert revenue management team combines internal research with external tools like AirDNA to calculate Airbnb prices for your property to maximise earnings.
• Access to the Owner Portal for real-time insights and full visibility.
• Airbnb cleaning services and maintenance coordination, covered by guest-paid fees.
• Marketing support, including Airbnb SEO, photography, and Airbnb styling advice.

We’re not generic property managers. We’re short-term rental specialists — built to maximise your property’s earning potential and reduce your day-to-day involvement so you can focus on the bigger picture. And while professional short-term rental management does come with a management fee, you'll enjoy peace of mind and hands-off earnings while we take care of the rest.

Learn more about our short-term rental management services in Australia by scheduling an obligation free chat and get Airbnb revenue projections for your property:

Compare Hometime vs self-managed short-term rentals

When hosts switch to Hometime, we often see:

• A 15% average increase in Hometime properties’ occupancy rates compared with the regular short-term rental market in the past two financial years (based on FY24 performance data).
• A 36% improvement in booking conversion thanks to better pricing and guest experience.
• Improved ratings, which lead to more visibility on Airbnb.
• Fewer cancellations and complaints from proactive guest support.
• More positive guest reviews, building trust, and sustained long-term performance.

You can also use the Owner Portal to set your availability and booking preferences, view your calendar and earnings at any time, and block off calendar dates for your personal use.

Check out this video from Nic, a Hometime Property Consultant, to learn more about how we can help your short-term rental earn more while you do less:

When does it make sense to switch?

Some hosts enjoy the process of managing their property — and that’s okay. If at any stage you start to experience the following, it might be time to consider a professional partner:

1. ‍You’re feeling burnt out: Late nights, guest issues, no real days off? If hosting feels more like a second job than passive income, it’s time to consider taking a step back.
2. ‍Your property isn’t performing: Struggling to fill your calendar? Getting inconsistent reviews? Your property listing might not be fully optimised to perform in the short-term rental market. ‍
3. You’re managing remotely: Owning a property in another city or state makes reliable, high-quality hosting difficult. A local Hometime host can help fill the gap and be your go-to person to discuss your property at any time, or handle any guest emergencies that may arise.
4. ‍You’re growing your portfolio: More properties = more complexity. At a certain point, self-management can be challenging when dealing with multiple properties.
5. ‍You want peace of mind: Hosting should feel rewarding, not risky. With Hometime, you’ve got a team on your side.

Book a chat with our helpful team at Hometime and discover how much more your property could be earning: