Airbnb Management Fees Malaysia: Complete Pricing Guide 2025

If you're considering turning your Melaka condo into a short-term rental investment, one of the most critical questions you'll face is: How much do Airbnb management fees cost in Malaysia?

The answer isn't straightforward. Management fees vary wildly across the industry, ranging from 15% to 40% of your revenue. But here's what most management companies won't tell you upfront: those percentage-based fees can eat up a massive chunk of your profits.

At iHousing Melaka, we take a different approach. We offer flat-fee management starting from RM200-300/month for Parkland Avenue by the Sea, and custom transparent pricing for other condos. Let's break down exactly what you need to know about Airbnb management fees in Malaysia.

Understanding the Different Fee Structures in Malaysia

1. Percentage-Based Fees (The Industry Standard)

Most Malaysian Airbnb management companies charge between 15% to 30% of your gross rental income. Some premium services even go up to 35-40%.

Example calculation:

• Your monthly revenue: RM5,000

• Management fee at 25%: RM1,250

• Your net income: RM3,750

That's RM1,250 going to your manager every single month, regardless of how much work they actually put in.

The problem with percentage fees:

• You pay more when you earn more (disincentivising optimization)

• No predictability in your monthly expenses

• You're penalised for your property's success

2. Commission + Additional Fees

Some companies appear to charge lower commission rates (10-20%) but then add on multiple hidden fees:

What looks like a 15% commission can easily become 25-30% once all the additional fees are factored in.

3. Flat-Fee Management (The iHousing Way)

We believe in transparent, predictable pricing. At iHousing Melaka:

• Parkland Avenue by the Sea: Flat RM200-300/month depending on unit size

• Other Melaka condos: Custom pricing based on your specific needs

What's included in our flat fee:

• Listing creation and optimisation across Airbnb, Booking.com, and other platforms

• responsive guest communication

• Check-in/check-out coordination

• Cleaning coordination (we arrange, guest pays cleaning fee)

• Review management

• Monthly performance reports

• Basic maintenance coordination

What's NOT included (no hidden markups):

• Actual cleaning costs (paid directly by guests)

• Replacement consumables (cost price, no markup)

• Major repairs (quoted transparently)

Real Cost Comparison: Percentage vs Flat Fee

Let's look at a real-world scenario using a typical 2-bedroom condo in Melaka:

Scenario: 20 nights/month at RM150/night

Percentage-Based Manager (25% commission):

• Monthly revenue: RM3,000

• Management fee: RM750

• Your net: RM2,250

Plus hidden costs:

• Cleaning markup: ~RM100

• Supply markup: ~RM50

• Effective fee: ~RM900/month (30%)

• Your actual net: RM2,100/month

iHousing Flat Fee (Parkland Avenue):

• Monthly revenue: RM3,000

• Management fee: RM250

• Your net: RM2,750

Annual difference: RM7,800 more in your pocket with iHousing

High-Performance Scenario: 25 nights/month at RM180/night

Percentage-Based Manager (25% commission):

• Monthly revenue: RM4,500

• Management fee: RM1,125

• Your net: RM3,375

iHousing Flat Fee:

• Monthly revenue: RM4,500

• Management fee: RM250

• Your net: RM4,250

Annual difference: RM10,500 more with iHousing

As your occupancy and rates increase, percentage-based fees become exponentially more expensive. With iHousing, your costs stay the same regardless of how well your property performs.

What Impacts Management Pricing?

Not all properties require the same level of management. Here are factors that influence pricing:

1. Location and Building Access

• Condos with 24-hour security and smooth access: Lower operational costs

• Buildings with strict guest registration: More coordination required

• Parking requirements: Some locations need dedicated parking permits

2. Unit Size and Configuration

• Studio units: Simpler to manage and clean

• 3-bedroom units: More inventory to track, higher turnover

• Units with special amenities (pool access, gym cards): More coordination

3. Condition and Furnishing Level

• Fully furnished, move-in ready: Minimal ongoing work

• Partially furnished: May need procurement coordination

• Older units: More maintenance coordination

4. Owner Expectations

• Hands-off owners: Need full end-to-end service

• Collaborative owners: Happy to handle some tasks themselves

• Performance-focused: Require more frequent optimisation

Red Flags to Watch For

When evaluating management companies, be wary of:

1. Vague Fee Structures

Companies that don't publish their pricing clearly often have:

• Hidden percentage fees on cleaning

• Markups on supplies and services

• "Administrative fees" that aren't disclosed upfront

2. Long Contract Lock-Ins

• 12-24 month contracts with hefty exit penalties

• Automatic renewal clauses

• Non-compete agreements preventing you from listing elsewhere

3. Performance Disconnect

If a manager takes 25% of your revenue but:

• Doesn't provide monthly performance reports

• Has no process for optimisation

• Doesn't respond to guest inquiries promptly

• Has no strategy for low-season periods

...then you're overpaying.

The iHousing Transparency Guarantee

At iHousing Melaka, we believe that aligned incentives = better results.

What We Guarantee:

Clear upfront pricing - No surprises, no hidden markups

Monthly reporting - See exactly where every ringgit goes

No long-term lock-ins - We earn your business every month

Platform flexibility - List wherever makes sense (Airbnb, Booking.com, etc.)

Our Fee Philosophy:

We charge for management and coordination, not for your property's success. When your revenue grows, your management fee stays the same. That means:

• We're motivated to optimise your pricing (not our commission)

• We want to maximise your occupancy (not our percentage)

• We're incentivised to keep costs down (no markups)

Calculate Your Potential Savings

Use this simple comparison to see what you could save:

Note: RM300 flat fee applies to larger units. Studio/1-bedroom units at Parkland Avenue start from RM200/month.

Questions to Ask Any Management Company

Before signing with anyone (including us), ask these critical questions:

What's your total fee percentage including all markups?

- If they can't answer this, walk away.

What's included vs excluded in your fee?

- Get this in writing.

How do you handle cleaning and supplies?

- Are costs passed through at cost, or marked up?

What's your contract length and exit clause?

- Avoid anything over 6 months without clear exit terms.

How often do I receive performance reports?

- Monthly should be the minimum.

What platforms do you list on?

- Multiple platforms = more bookings.

Who handles guest emergencies and when?

- responsive coverage should be standard.

Get Custom Pricing for Your Property

Every property is unique, and pricing should reflect that. While we offer standard flat fees for Parkland Avenue by the Sea, other Melaka condos require custom quotes based on:

• Location and building

• Unit size and configuration

• Current furnishing level

• Your expected level of involvement

Ready to see what transparent, flat-fee management looks like?

WhatsApp Us for Custom Pricing

Don't let hidden percentage fees eat your profits. Get a transparent quote tailored to your specific property.

WhatsApp Us Now for Free Custom Quote

No obligation, transparent pricing guaranteed

Final Thoughts

Airbnb management fees in Malaysia don't have to be confusing or expensive. The key is understanding exactly what you're paying for and ensuring your manager's incentives are aligned with yours.

Percentage-based fees might seem simple, but they're rarely transparent. Flat-fee management puts you in control with predictable costs that don't grow as your revenue does.

At iHousing Melaka, we're proud to offer an alternative to the percentage-fee model. Whether you own at Parkland Avenue by the Sea or another Melaka condo, we're here to help you maximise your returns without the hidden costs.

Related Reading:

• [Self-Manage Airbnb vs Hire Company Malaysia](/blog/self-manage-airbnb-vs-hire-company-malaysia)

• [Airbnb Profit Margin Calculator Malaysia](/blog/airbnb-profit-margin-calculator-malaysia)

• [How Much Can I Earn from Airbnb in Melaka](/blog/how-much-can-i-earn-from-airbnb-in-melaka)