Letting a property on a short-term basis can earn more than a standard tenancy, but it also takes far more work. Guests arrive and leave every few days, listings need managing across several platforms, prices need adjusting and the property needs cleaning and checking between every stay.
That is why many landlords in Greater Manchester choose short let management in Manchester rather than running everything themselves. This guide explains what a management company does, the different ways landlords can work with one, what it costs and how to get started.
What Is Short Let Management?
Short let management is a service where a professional operator runs your property as serviced accommodation on your behalf. Instead of handling bookings, guest messages, cleaning and maintenance yourself, the management company takes care of the day-to-day and you receive the income, usually with a monthly report.
Short lets, also called serviced accommodation, are stays of a few nights to a few months. Guests include business travellers, contractors, families visiting the city and people between homes. In Manchester, demand comes from city centre events, major employers, universities, hospitals and large construction and regeneration projects.
What a Short Let Management Company Handles
A full-service operator should take care of everything needed to keep your property booked and in good condition. At MV Stays, our serviced accommodation management covers:
- Listing creation and optimisation across Airbnb, Booking.com, Vrbo and other platforms
- Dynamic pricing using PriceLabs, so nightly rates follow demand
- Guest communication and screening
- Check-in and check-out management
- Cleaning and linen coordination between stays
- Maintenance coordination and regular inspections
- Review management and monthly reporting
You stay informed through monthly income reports, but you do not need to be involved in the day-to-day running of the property.
Three Ways Landlords Can Work With MV Stays
Not every landlord wants the same thing. Some want the highest possible income, others want a fixed amount every month. MV Stays offers three options.
1. Serviced accommodation management
Best for landlords who want to maximise rental income. We run your property as a short let across the major booking platforms. Our fee is 18% of net booking revenue, which means it is calculated after platform commissions, so you only pay on income you actually receive. Contracts run for 12 months and then continue on a rolling basis, and most properties go live within 7 to 14 days.
2. Guaranteed rent
Best for landlords who want a fixed monthly income with no involvement. MV Stays leases your property and pays you a guaranteed monthly rent regardless of occupancy. There are no void periods, no guest management and no maintenance calls. Terms run from one to five years, and each property is assessed for suitability.
3. Long-term letting management
Best for landlords who prefer long-term tenants but want professional oversight. We handle tenant onboarding, tenancy agreements, ongoing communication, inspections, maintenance coordination and compliance reminders for gas safety, EPC and EICR. The fee is 7.5% of monthly rent on a rolling contract with one month’s notice.
Full details of each option are on our property management page.
How the Fees Work in Practice
Here is a simple example of how serviced accommodation management works for a month with £3,000 of bookings:
- Gross booking revenue: £3,000
- Platform commission (around 15%, for example Airbnb): minus £450
- Net booking revenue: £2,550
- MV Stays management fee (18% of net): minus £459
- Owner receives: £2,091, before cleaning and maintenance costs
Because our fee is based on net revenue, our income depends on your property performing well. Management fees are shown exclusive of VAT, which is applied where applicable. There are no mandatory setup fees.
Short Lets vs Long-Term Lets: Which Is Right for You?
Short lets may suit you if:
- Your property is close to the city centre, transport links, major employers or venues
- You want to maximise income and are comfortable with monthly income varying
- The property is furnished to a good standard, or you are willing to furnish it
A long-term let may suit you if:
- You prefer predictable monthly income
- The property is in a mainly residential area with less visitor demand
- You want minimal changes to how the property is used
If you are not sure, guaranteed rent can offer the best of both: a fixed income for you, while MV Stays runs the property as serviced accommodation.
What to Check Before Letting Your Property Short Term
Before you start, it is worth checking a few things so your property is set up properly:
- Mortgage. Some mortgage lenders require consent for short-term letting.
- Lease. If you own a leasehold flat, check that the lease allows short lets.
- Insurance. Standard landlord insurance may not cover short-term guests, so you may need a specialist policy.
- Safety and compliance. Make sure gas safety, electrical safety (EICR), EPC, smoke and carbon monoxide alarms and fire safety are all in place.
- Local rules. Check any local planning or licensing requirements that apply to your property.
We talk through these points with every landlord as part of our free property assessment.
Where MV Stays Manages Properties
MV Stays manages properties across Greater Manchester, including Manchester, Salford, Trafford, Oldham and Stockport. We manage apartments and houses from one to five bedrooms, as well as serviced apartments. Each property is assessed individually based on location, condition and suitability.
You can see the kind of homes we run on our properties page, including city centre apartments in Manchester and homes in Salford (see our guide to serviced accommodation in Salford) and Oldham.
How to Get Started
- Request a free property assessment. Tell us about your property and what you want from it.
- Choose your management option. We recommend the best fit, whether that is serviced accommodation, guaranteed rent or long-term letting.
- Get your property ready. We help with listings, photography, pricing and setup.
- Go live. Most serviced accommodation properties are live within 7 to 14 days.
Every enquiry gets a response within 24 hours.
FAQs
How much does short let management cost in Manchester?
MV Stays charges 18% of net booking revenue for serviced accommodation management, calculated after platform commissions. Long-term letting management is 7.5% of monthly rent. Guaranteed rent has no fee because we pay you.
Are there any setup fees?
No. There are no mandatory setup fees.
How long does it take to get my property live?
Most properties go live within 7 to 14 days of onboarding.
Which areas do you cover?
We cover Greater Manchester, including Manchester, Salford, Trafford, Oldham and Stockport. If your property is elsewhere in the region, contact us to check.
Will I still know how my property is performing?
Yes. You receive monthly income reports and regular updates, and you can contact our team at any time.
Conclusion
Short let management lets you earn from serviced accommodation without taking on the daily workload. Whether you want the highest income, a guaranteed monthly rent or reliable long-term tenants, MV Stays has an option that fits.
Find out what your property could earn. Visit our property management page or contact us for a free property assessment.