Airbnb and short-let management in Dumfries & Galloway
We put your property on sites like Airbnb so you don't have to.
Airbnb and short-let management in Dumfries & Galloway
Hassle-free short-let management that optimises your rental income.
Local holiday letting expertise, national know-how
Meet Charlotte Boyd
Charlotte is the Managing Director of Pass the Keys Dumfries & Galloway. A born and bred ‘Doonhamer’, Charlotte has travelled the world, providing travel assistance to the world’s Royal families diplomats, ministers, and celebs, before moving into the luxury travel market. Naturally, Charlotte’s next step was to move into the short-term let market. The experience and professionalism that Pass the Keys has to offer made becoming a PtK franchisee incredibly easy for Charlotte. Charlotte’s expertise doesn’t stop there, she also has a diploma in interior design, so she can assist her hosts to dress and prepare their property for maximum guest satisfaction.
Book direct with Pass the Keys
We optimise occupancy for our hosts through the main distribution channels and our own website for guests.
Why let Pass the Keys manage your holiday home?
Short Letting made easy!
Complete management
We make holiday letting hassle-free by managing guest communication, check-in, cleaning, laundry and more.
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Maximum occupancy
We use a proprietary dynamic pricing strategy to maximise your income by filling any open dates or late cancellations.
Guest screening
We thoroughly vet guests prior to accepting bookings to ensure the security of your holiday home.
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24/7 Guest support
Our dedicated guest support team is available 24/7 to deal with any urgent guest queries.
Listing Management
Professional photos, up-to-the-minute pricing, and your listing advertised on 20 different platforms including Airbnb and Booking.com.
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We put our fee on the line. You only pay when we deliver.
If an eligible Airbnb stay receives a guest review below 4 stars, or a Booking.com review below 7, Pass the Keys waives its management fee for that booking — no gimmicks, just accountability.
- Fee waived on any booking that falls below our review threshold
- Every low review triggers a full quality audit and corrective action
- The only short-let manager that puts its own fee at risk
What Airbnb management services does Pass the Keys provide?
We can provide you with a number of services in relation to your property:
What is a professional Airbnb co-host?
Due to the size of our property portfolio and the consistent quality of our service, Pass the Keys was invited to become an official Airbnb co-host in 2018.
This exclusive status provided Pass the Keys with a key account manager and direct integration with their systems so that we could dynamically update pricing, report on guest behaviour and other key metrics. We have retained our advantages as a valued partner even though Airbnb has now withdrawn the program (2022).
Access our magic host portal
Book personal stays in your holiday home through our calendar by blocking the dates. Here, you can see upcoming guest bookings at a glance.
View the service log to see photos uploaded by the cleaner after each changeover.
Read the wonderful reviews your guests leave for your holiday let property. See each one as it comes in and your average rating.
Track the rental income for your holiday home for any given month and monitor occupancy rates and average daily rates.
Holiday Let Management in Dumfries & Galloway
Dumfries & Galloway is one of the UK’s fastest-growing staycation hotspots, offering 200 miles of coastline, scenic countryside and popular coastal towns like Kirkcudbright, Portpatrick and Rockcliffe. Year-round demand is driven by outdoor activities including hiking, sailing and golf, alongside cultural links to Robert Burns and Peter Pan.
Major events such as Youth Beatz, Big Burns Supper, Wigtown Book Festival and Eden Festival help maintain high occupancy, making it a strong location for holiday let investment.
Pass the Keys Dumfries & Galloway offers holiday let management in Dumfries & Galloway designed to maximise returns. From Airbnb management services on Airbnb, Booking.com and Vrbo to dynamic pricing for holiday lets, guest management for short lets and holiday let cleaning services, everything is handled for you—helping increase occupancy and rental income.
Dumfries & Galloway's leading holiday letting agents
Read our latest Airbnb hosting tips and guidance for homeowners in Dumfries & Galloway.
Why Pass the Keys Is the Top‑Rated Airbnb Management Company in Dumfries & Galloway
Dumfries & Galloway is a region of stunning natural landscapes, historic towns, and picturesque coastal villages. From Dumfries town centre to the Galloway coastline, the area attracts short-let guests seeking both relaxation and adventure. For property owners, this presents an opportunity—but also operational challenges. Managing bookings, guest communications, cleaning, pricing, and local compliance can be time-consuming, particularly for landlords based outside the area.
Read MoreFully-Managed Airbnb Management Companies in Dumfries and Galloway
Dumfries and Galloway, with its scenic coastline, rolling hills, historic market towns, and attractions such as Caerlaverock Castle, Threave Estate, and the Solway Coast, is increasingly popular for short-let guests. Whether you own a city-centre apartment in Dumfries, a coastal cottage near Kirkcudbright, or a rural retreat in the Southern Uplands, managing bookings, guest communications, cleaning, and dynamic pricing can quickly become overwhelming.
Read MoreShort-Term Rental in Dumfries and Galloway: What Hosts Need to Know
Dumfries and Galloway, with its stunning coastline and rich literary history, is a major destination for Scottish tourism. Unlike in England, operating a short-term rental here ismandatory by lawsubject to a local authority licensing scheme.
Read MoreIs There a Local Airbnb Manager in Dumfries and Galloway?
Yes. Pass the Keys offers a fully managed Airbnb service in Dumfries and Galloway, supported locally by Charlotte Boyd. She is the franchise partner responsible for all on-the-ground operations, from onboarding properties to supervising guest stays and coordinating local teams. For property owners in Dumfries, Castle Douglas, Kirkcudbright, Newton Stewart, or surrounding towns, Charlotte ensures every listing is optimised, compliant, and guest-ready. About Charlotte Boyd – Local Partner Charlotte has extensive knowledge of the Dumfries and Galloway property and tourism market. Her experience includes: Evaluating properties for short-let suitability and potential earnings Advising owners on seasonal pricing and occupancy strategies Coordinating local contractors, cleaners, and tradespeople Handling guest communications and emergencies personally Guiding hosts through licensing and regulatory requirements unique to Scotland As a local partner, Charlotte is the first point of contact for all hosts. She attends every property viewing, supervises the setup of professional listings, and maintains relationships with local service providers. Her presence ensures a seamless guest experience, fast problem resolution, and maximised earnings. Charlotte works closely with the national Pass the Keys team to combine local insights with technology-driven tools, including dynamic pricing, multi-platform listing management, and an owner dashboard to monitor bookings, income, and guest feedback. Why a Local Partner Matters in Dumfries and Galloway Having a local partner like Charlotte Boyd provides significant advantages: Immediate Response to Issues: On-site support for emergencies such as plumbing leaks, lockouts, or heating failures. Local Market Expertise: Deep understanding of seasonal trends, festivals, and events that impact demand and pricing. Guest Experience Personalisation: Tailored welcome packs, local recommendations, and on-site assistance for guests. Compliance and Licensing Guidance: Helps hosts navigate Scotland’s short-let regulations, including licensing, planning permission, and health and safety requirements. Trusted Local Networks: Relationships with cleaners, maintenance teams, and suppliers throughout Dumfries and Galloway, ensuring reliable service and high-quality standards. Services Provided by Pass the Keys Dumfries and Galloway Charlotte and her team oversee: Listing preparation, professional photography, and copywriting Multi-platform exposure across Airbnb, Booking.com, Vrbo, and Google Travel 24/7 guest support, including check-in and emergency response Hotel-standard cleaning, laundry, and turnover management Smart pricing strategy to maximise occupancy and revenue Guest vetting including ID verification and pre-arrival screening Key exchange and smart lock installation Maintenance coordination and local tradesperson management Benefits of Working with a Local Partner Personalised Property Onboarding: Charlotte ensures your property is staged and listed for maximum appeal. Hands-On Management: She personally oversees local teams for cleaning, maintenance, and guest support. Higher Occupancy and Revenue: Local insights inform pricing and availability strategies to capture peak demand. Peace of Mind: Fast, on-the-ground resolution of any guest or property issues. Regulatory Confidence: Guidance on short-let compliance ensures your property meets all local legal requirements. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) Who is the local partner for Pass the Keys Dumfries and Galloway?Charlotte Boyd is the local partner. She manages day-to-day operations, coordinates local teams, and supports hosts across the region. How quickly can Charlotte respond to emergencies?For urgent property issues, she or a local team member can usually be on-site within two hours. What experience does Charlotte have in Dumfries and Galloway?Charlotte has extensive knowledge of local tourism trends, short-let demand patterns, property standards, and the regional regulatory environment. She has successfully helped multiple hosts maximise income while maintaining compliance and excellent guest experiences. Can Charlotte help me with short-let licensing?Yes. She guides hosts through Scotland’s licensing process, including paperwork, planning permissions, health and safety compliance, and inspections. Does Charlotte handle guest communication?Yes. Charlotte personally oversees 24/7 guest communication, check-in coordination, and resolves issues quickly to maintain high guest satisfaction. How does working with a local partner improve earnings?Charlotte’s local expertise ensures properties are optimised for peak occupancy periods, events, and seasonal trends, while dynamic pricing and multi-platform exposure maximise revenue. Is Pass the Keys suitable for remote landlords in Dumfries and Galloway?Absolutely. Charlotte and her local team provide full hands-off management while keeping owners informed through the online dashboard. Contact Pass the Keys Dumfries and Galloway Charlotte Boyd and her team provide a fully managed Airbnb service tailored to the Dumfries and Galloway region. They ensure your property is compliant, guest-ready, and optimised for maximum income. Book an income evaluation call
Read MoreThe Top 3 Tasks Hosts Find Most Challenging in Dumfries & Galloway
Renting your holiday home on the short-term let market is time-consuming, hard work, and a 24/7 commitment.Read on to see the top 3 tasks hosts find the most difficult to navigate and how Pass The Keys Dumfries & Galloway can manage these for you.
Read MoreYou may have seen us in...
Pass the Keys Property Awards 2026
The Lake House in The Cotswolds wins the overall best property award and the best design award. Congratulations!
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Pass the Keys Property Awards 2026
Congratulations to Andrew & Lisa in West Oxfordshire as one of their properties was runner up for best property of the year and was featured in the Your Berks, Bucks & Oxon Wedding Magazine.
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Pass the Keys Property Awards 2026
Tim in the Cotswolds and the Lake House have been featured in the Wilts and Gloucestershire Standard for winning two categories in our property awards.
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Pass the Keys Property Awards 2026
Another mention for the winner of Best Property and the Best Design categories in our awards. Go Tim!
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Holiday let owners find loophole to avoid double council tax charges
Read on how a business rates application may mitigate increased taxes on 2nd homes.
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Why your Spanish holiday is about to cost much more
Europe’s crackdown on short-term lets could limit the supply of Airbnbs
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Global Crackdown on Vacation Rentals Sparks Industry Debate
Pass the Keys comments on the introduction of regulation on the STR industry.
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Oasis and Edinburgh Fringe festival clash sees ‘outrageous’ price hikes for hotels and accommodation
Read about the effect regulation has had on STR supply and the price increases.
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Pass the Keys and Conduit partner to bring AI-powered guest messaging across 65+ holiday let franchise locations
Our CTO, Ian Tyrrell explains why we chose to partner with Conduit.
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PhocusWire's weekly travel tech news briefs
PTK integrates our proprietary PMS with Conduit to streamline guest communications and improve response times.
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Pass the Keys partners with Conduit for AI-powered guest communication
Franchise partners can now manage guest, host, and service provider messages in one interface.
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London leaver: 'London can wear you down. Malaga is more like our native Australia'
Read how our franchise owner in Benalmadena and Fuengirola chose the Costa del Sol over London.
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Airbnb owners 'at a loss' amid 'massive bookings slump' as guests' demands change
Our COO, Wesley Brown, argues that tourism taxes push up prices for landlords and customers.
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Franchise Thinking in Vacation Rentals: Why Growth Is Not One-Size-Fits-All
Alex Lyakhotskiy, our CEO, states that if you want to grow a vacation rental business that lasts—or can even be sold—management franchising is worth a closer look.
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Dumfries & Galloway FAQs
We answer your questions about short-lets in Dumfries & Galloway
Pass the Keys Dumfries and Galloway fees start from 20% + VAT of Net Booking Value, tailored to the property, its location and service model (a one-off onboarding fee may also apply). Rural cottages, including those near the Galloway Forest Dark Sky Park, often have a different booking pattern to town lets, and that's reflected in your quote.
The same national Scottish STL licence is mandatory, administered by Dumfries and Galloway Council, alongside the 140-days-available/70-days-let test for business rates status.
Yes. Our local team manages rural cottages, including properties near the Galloway Forest Dark Sky Park, a strong draw for stargazing visitors.