Airbnb host fees in the UK: what you really pay in 2026

From split fees to one host fee

Airbnb used to split its fee: hosts paid about 3% and guests paid a separate service fee on top. Through 2025 and 2026 Airbnb moved hosts to a single "host-only" fee instead, starting with hosts who use property management software and finishing with independent hosts in 2026. Guests now see one all-in price, and the whole fee comes out of your payout.

How much it really costs

For most hosts the fee is 15.5% of the booking subtotal: the nightly rate plus the cleaning fee and any extra guest or pet fees. Airbnb charges UK VAT at 20% on its service fee, and if you are not VAT registered you cannot reclaim it. That takes the real cost to about 18.6%. Check your own payout breakdown, as some hosts pay a slightly different rate.

On a £1,000 booking that is about £186 to Airbnb. Across £20,000 of bookings a year it is about £3,720.

What you can do about it

1. Build the fee into your prices, including your cleaning fee, so your take-home stays where you want it. Our cleaning fee calculator grosses it up for you.
2. Win repeat guests directly. A returning guest who books with you direct costs nothing in platform fees.
3. Give past guests a reason to come back, such as a returning-guest discount that is still cheaper for you than the platform fee.
4. Keep your listing on Airbnb for new guests. It is still the best place to be found; the aim is to stop paying the fee twice for the same people.

Official sources

• Airbnb: service fees

This is general information, not legal or tax advice. Rules change, so check the official sources before you act.