Last Updated on:
The holiday rental market has been unsettled by Airbnb’s decision to significantly raise commission rates for hosts using management systems, increasing them from 3% to 15.5% with immediate effect.
According to Sallie Hendrick, Bookings Manager at Landed Houses, a company dedicated to large group holiday homes across the UK, the rise will likely accelerate an existing movement towards booking directly with property owners.
“When platform fees reach 15.5%, someone has to absorb that cost,” says Hendrick. “Either owners of large holiday homes see their margins slashed, or guests booking for big groups pay inflated rates. Neither scenario serves families and groups looking for large holiday homes, where personal service and value are paramount.”
The revised fee model applies to hosts linked via property management software and means that fees no longer appear on the guest side. However, maintaining income levels requires hosts to increase advertised rates by roughly 18%, industry observers report.
For large properties in the Landed Houses collection – including manor houses and rural estates sleeping up to 30 guests – this adjustment could mean the difference of thousands of pounds added to the booking cost.
“Direct booking eliminates these platform fees entirely,” Hendrick explains. “For guests searching for large holiday homes for weddings, family reunions, or celebrations, booking direct means better rates and fairer returns for property owners, while maintaining the personalised concierge service that groups expect.”
The appeal of direct booking has grown steadily in the high-value group travel market, where guests often prioritise human guidance over automated listings. Landed Houses provides a curated portfolio and direct support, avoiding the extra commission layer altogether.
With booking platforms continuing to increase their charges, the direct booking route is expected to play an even greater role in the group accommodation segment.