Pass the Keys vs Houst: Which Airbnb Management Company is Best for Hosts?

If you’re comparing Airbnb management companies in the UK, two names you’ll probably come across are Pass the Keys and Houst. Both companies offer fully managed Airbnb and short-let management services designed to help property owners maximise rental income while reducing the day-to-day work involved in hosting.

And demand for professional short-let management is only growing. Between July 2024 and June 2025, more than 9 million guest nights were recorded through UK short-term lets, showing just how quickly the Airbnb and holiday let market continues to expand.

As more landlords, investors, and holiday-home owners enter the market, many are looking for Airbnb management companies that can handle:

• Guest communication
• Dynamic pricing
• Cleaning and laundry
• Multi-platform listings
• Maintenance coordination
• Check-ins and guest support
• Airbnb optimisation and revenue management

Both Pass the Keys and Houst offer these services, but they operate quite differently behind the scenes. Here’s a detailed comparison to help you decide which Airbnb management company is right for your property.

Quick Comparison: Pass the Keys vs Houst

What Does an Airbnb Management Company Actually Do?

Before comparing the two, it’s worth understanding what a short-let management company does.

A professional Airbnb management company typically handles:

• Listing creation and optimisation
• Airbnb photography and marketing
• Dynamic pricing
• Guest messaging and support
• Cleaning and laundry
• Maintenance coordination
• Key exchange and check-ins
• Calendar management
• Multi-platform advertising across Airbnb, Booking.com, Vrbo and more

For many hosts, using an Airbnb management company saves time, improves occupancy rates, and helps maximise short-let revenue.

Management Fees

Pass the Keys

Pass the Keys typically charges around 20% + VAT of the net payout amount, although fees can vary depending on location and property type.

Their service is built around full property management with local support included. Services usually include:

• Dynamic pricing
• 24/7 guest support
• Multi-platform listings
• Cleaning coordination
• Local property management
• Maintenance support
• Revenue reporting

There’s also usually a one-off onboarding fee to get the property professionally set up and live.

One thing many hosts like about Pass the Keys is the straightforward pricing structure and the fact that fees are generally based on net revenue rather than gross booking value.

Houst

Houst offers several pricing tiers depending on contract length and hosting style. Current advertised pricing includes:

• Flexible plans from 20% + VAT
• Lower fees for longer-term contracts
• Additional monthly account fees on some plans
• Fees based on gross booking revenue

Lower pricing tiers are generally linked to:

• 12-month contracts
• 24-month contracts
• 36-month contracts

Houst uses a more centralised operational model with fees charged after each guest check-in.

When comparing Airbnb management companies, understanding whether fees are based on gross or net revenue can make a significant difference to overall profitability.

Quality Guarantee

Pass the Keys

Most property managers charge their management fee regardless of the guest experience. Pass the Keys takes a different approach.

We believe hosts should only pay management fees when the service delivered meets the standards expected. Thousands of guests stay in Pass the Keys homes every month and consistently rate their experience highly. The Quality Guarantee simply reinforces that confidence with a clear commitment.

We don’t just absorb the cost, we investigate it. Every lower review triggers a quality audit and corrective actions to continuously improve performance. No gimmicks. Just accountability.

Houst

While Houst does not publicly advertise a formal quality guarantee, the company does provide several quality assurance measures designed to help maintain high hosting standards and improve guest satisfaction.

These services include professional Airbnb cleaning, regular property inspections, guest vetting, maintenance support, dynamic pricing, and 24/7 guest communication.

Houst also focuses on operational consistency and property presentation, helping short-term rental hosts deliver a reliable guest experience and maintain strong Airbnb reviews across booking platforms.

Contract Length & Hosting Flexibility

Pass the Keys

Pass the Keys is often a strong option for hosts who want flexibility. This may include:

• First-time Airbnb hosts
• Holiday-home owners
• Seasonal short lets
• Landlords testing Airbnb hosting
• Owners who occasionally use the property themselves

Because Pass the Keys operates through local franchise partners, contracts can vary slightly by region, but the overall approach is generally designed to be more flexible.

Houst

Houst’s pricing structure is more closely tied to fixed-term contracts, with lower fees available on longer agreements. Depending on the contract selected, hosts may also face notice periods or exit fees if leaving early.

Houst also separates its services into “Flexible” and “Professional” hosting models.

Local Property Management vs Centralised Operations

Pass the Keys

One of the biggest differences between Pass the Keys and Houst is how properties are managed operationally.

Pass the Keys combines national systems and pricing technology with local property managers who handle:

• Cleaning coordination
• Maintenance support
• Guest issues
• Property inspections
• Local market knowledge

For many Airbnb hosts, having local support available is a major advantage, particularly when quick action is needed.

Houst

Houst operates using a larger-scale international model with remote operational teams and centralised systems managing properties across multiple countries.

Their model focuses heavily on:

• Automated pricing systems
• Real-time dashboards
• Centralised housekeeping management
• Standardised operations

This may appeal to hosts looking for a more technology-led Airbnb management experience.

Cleaning Fees & Housekeeping

Pass the Keys

Pass the Keys works with local cleaning partners to maintain hotel-quality standards. Cleaning fees vary depending on property size and location, but ongoing cleaning costs are usually covered by guests.

In many locations, hosts also receive post-clean photos through the host portal for added transparency and quality control.

Houst

Houst also manages cleaning and laundry services through its operational network. Cleaning costs are generally passed to guests, although hosts may still see related supplier charges within statements.

Some hosts report higher cleaning fees during peak periods and in larger cities, which can affect booking competitiveness.

Can You Still Use Your Own Property?

Pass the Keys

Pass the Keys tends to suit hosts who still want personal access to their property. For example:

• Blocking dates for holidays
• Seasonal stays
• Mixing personal use with guest bookings

This flexibility makes it popular with second-home owners and part-time Airbnb hosts.

Houst

Houst’s Professional plans are generally aimed more at full-time hosting, while Flexible plans are designed for owners who occasionally stay in the property themselves.

As with any Airbnb management agreement, it’s important to review owner usage terms carefully before signing.

Technology & Reporting Tools

Pass the Keys

Pass the Keys gives hosts access to:

• Dynamic pricing tools
• Occupancy tracking
• Monthly income reporting
• Guest review visibility
• Host portal access

The company combines automated pricing with local oversight and manual revenue management.

Houst

Houst focuses heavily on automation and technology, including:

• Real-time dashboards
• Automated pricing systems
• Centralised booking management
• Cleaning management software

This may suit hosts who prefer a highly data-driven and tech-focused approach.

Is Pass the Keys or Houst Better?

The right Airbnb management company depends on your property, goals, and hosting style.

Pass the Keys may suit you if you want:

• Flexible Airbnb hosting
• Local property management support
• Seasonal or mixed-use hosting
• A more relationship-led service
• UK-focused short-let expertise

Houst may suit you if you want:

• A large international operator
• Full-time Airbnb management
• Centralised operational systems
• Longer-term hosting agreements
• A heavily technology-led platform

Both Pass the Keys and Houst are established Airbnb management companies offering professional short-let management services across the UK.

Pass the Keys focuses more on local expertise, flexible hosting support, and hands-on regional management, while Houst leans further into automation, centralised operations, and international scale.

For landlords, investors, holiday-home owners, and Airbnb hosts, comparing factors like management fees, contract flexibility, cleaning costs, local support, and technology can help determine which short-let management company is the best fit for your property and long-term goals.