The main cost categories
- Management fee: the percentage or flat fee paid to run the property.
- Cleaning and turnovers: guest-ready resets between stays.
- Maintenance and repairs: routine fixes and emergency issues.
- Supplies and linens: consumables, replacements, and guest amenities.
- Platform and payment fees: Airbnb, Vrbo, and processor costs.
- Taxes, permits, and insurance: local and property-specific obligations.
Why gross revenue can mislead owners
A manager can increase gross revenue while owner net income stays flat if fees and operating costs rise at the same time. Atlia's fee calculator starts with the part of the cost stack owners can compare directly: the management fee.
How to evaluate a proposal
Ask every manager for an owner-income example that separates gross revenue, management fees, cleaning, maintenance, platform fees, taxes, and owner payout. If those lines are bundled together, it is hard to know what you actually keep.
Owner questions
Is the management fee the same as total cost?
No. Total cost can include cleaning, repairs, supplies, platform fees, taxes, permits, insurance, and optional add-ons.
What should owners optimize for?
Optimize for net owner income and time saved, not gross revenue alone.
Sources and context