What a management agreement should cover, in practice

A good agreement is mostly a description of how the relationship will work on an ordinary Tuesday. If you read it and still cannot answer "who does this?" for a common situation, that gap will be filled later by an argument. Ask a qualified professional to review anything binding; use this page to check that the practical subjects are there at all.

Scope of the service

A plain list of what the manager does and what they do not do. Pricing, listing, guest communication, check-in, cleaning, laundry, restocking, minor repairs, inspections, garden, pool — each one either included, extra, or yours. "Full management" is not a scope.

Fees and what they are calculated on

Every fee should be named, with the amount it applies to. A percentage of what, exactly: the nightly rate, the total paid by the guest, the amount after platform charges? Are cleaning fees paid by the guest passed to the cleaner, kept by the manager, or shared? Are there set-up costs, photo costs, or charges for replacing consumables?

Repairs and spending limits

A threshold below which the manager can fix things and tell you afterwards, and above which they must ask first — plus what happens in an emergency when you cannot be reached. Without this, you will either be asked about every light bulb or surprised by a large invoice.

Owner use of the home

How you block dates, how much notice is needed, whether there is a limit during busy periods, and whether a cleaning is charged after your own stay.

Guest damage and deposits

Who inspects, how damage is documented (photos with a date), who claims from the guest or platform, and how long that usually takes before the money, or the explanation, reaches you.

Reporting and payments

When you are paid, what the statement shows, and how you can see bookings and the calendar in between.

Insurance and responsibilities

Which risks your own insurance needs to cover and which the manager covers. This is a question for your insurer as much as for the manager; ask both, in writing.

Ending the arrangement

The notice period, what happens to bookings already accepted, and what is handed back: keys, codes, linens you paid for, guest contact history where it can be shared, the listing itself if it is in your name. The handover is the part most often left blank, and the part you will need most if things go wrong.