Vacasa Fees Explained: Comprehensive Guide to Costs & Hidden Charges

If you're considering Vacasa as your full-service rental management provider, you probably want to know how their pricing works.

Table of Contents:

• Overview of Vacasa Fee Structure
• How Vacasa Compares to Competitors
• Common Host Complaints About Vacasa
• Is Vacasa worth the cost?
• Final Thoughts
• FAQ

So, here is a quick overview of all the different fees to look out for:

Overview of Vacasa's Fee Structure

Let’s break down Vacasa’s fee structure even further.

You can expect to incur the following costs, depending on the services you use:

Management Fee (Commission)

Vacasa charges property owners a commission for its full-service property management, which typically ranges between 25% and 35% of the nightly booking rate. 

This commission is the core charge and covers a broad range of services, including:

• Guest communication: responding to inquiries, booking confirmations, and guest concerns
• Booking management: handling reservations, cancellations, and payment processing
• Guest care services: addressing guest issues during their stay, 24/7 support
• Property marketing: listing your property on various platforms like Airbnb, VRBO, and Vacasa’s own site

The percentage you pay within this range can depend on several factors, including:

• Location: Properties in high-demand or premium locations (like beachfront or downtown areas) bear higher commission fees due to the increased demand and the level of service required.
• Property size and type: Larger or more luxurious properties might incur higher fees as they typically require more specialized services, such as premium cleaning or extra maintenance.
• Seasonal adjustments: Fees can fluctuate depending on the time of year, especially in markets with shifting demand.

Extra Services & Associated Fees: Cleaning, Pets, and More

Vacasa often adds other service fees, which might not always be included in the management fee. 

These typically include:

• Cleaning fees: A fee charged to your guests for cleaning after their stay, usually paid directly by the guest but set by Vacasa. This fee varies depending on the property's size, location, and level of cleaning required.
• Pet fees: If you allow pets on your property, Vacasa charges an additional fee to cover extra cleaning and potential damages. This can vary depending on whether your property is considered luxury or more standard.
• Booking administration fees: In some cases, Vacasa charges extra for things like credit card processing or booking administration. This cost could be built into the management commission or charged separately.

Furthermore, Vacasa offers several premium services, such as:

• Matterport virtual tour: A 3D property tour feature that allows your guests to "walk through" the home virtually. This service typically has an extra cost.
• Premium clean program: Designed to meet CDC standards and offer a higher level of cleanliness, which may include extra cleaning after each guest’s stay, especially in high-touch areas like kitchens and bathrooms.
• Self check-in and smart tech features: Vacasa offers options for smart locks and self-check-in services that may come with an added cost.

Hidden or Unexpected Charges

Many property owners and guests have voiced frustrations about unexpected fees when dealing with Vacasa and the lack of transparency in their fee structure. 

Below are a few real-life complaints shared by hosts and guests in Reddit discussions, where users have shared their experiences with hidden or surprise charges.

Conflicting Information About Property Requirements

Another user reported a bizarre situation where their property lacked a bear box (a necessary feature for storing trash in bear-prone areas). 

Vacasa claimed the box was not required for long-term rentals despite all neighboring properties having one. 

As the guest put it, “They say the neighbors had to pick up my trash after bears got to it... now they’re putting in a $2500 box after we leave.” 

Furthermore, the guest discovered a $3000 damage waiver fee listed on Vacasa’s site, which Vacasa later claimed was Airbnb’s policy—creating confusion about who was truly responsible for these fees. - Source: Reddit

Discrepancies in Booking and Cleaning Fees

One property owner shared suspicions of hidden revenue generated by Vacasa through unclear fees. 

The owner mentioned that after discussing revenue with Vacasa’s operations manager, they realized that the actual income was “50% higher” than what was being shown to the property owner. 

They also suspected that Vacasa was redirecting bookings to its own platform to avoid paying booking fees to Airbnb, VRBO, and other booking sites. -  Source: Reddit

Booking Fee Hikes with No Clear Explanation

In one example, Vacasa increased its booking fee from 12% to 15% without clearly communicating this to either the guests or property owners. 

As one user pointed out, “The fee hike they are keeping is much higher than the guest fee they would normally charge on their own platform... there is no transparency to the guest or owner.” 

When the booking fee was examined, the difference between Vacasa’s site (16%) and Airbnb’s (27%) seemed inconsistent. -  Source: Reddit

Unexplained Markups on Booking Fees

Another owner pointed out discrepancies in booking fees, mentioning that Vacasa charged a 16% fee while Airbnb marked up the same booking to 27%. 

The owner questioned why Vacasa's fee was significantly lower than the markup seen on Airbnb, suggesting that Vacasa’s management fees might not fully explain the difference. - Source: Reddit

How Vacasa’s Fees Compare to Competitors

Here is a brief overview of Vacasa fees compared to its competitors.

Vacasa’s fees are notably higher than its competitors, like Awning and Evolve, which offer more transparent pricing and lower rates. Still, it’s important to consider the comprehensive range of services that Vacasa provides. 

Why Some Hosts Choose Vacasa Despite High Fees

Due to the unique benefits they offer, many property owners still find value in Vacasa’s services despite their higher fees. 

Here are five reasons why some hosts continue to use Vacasa:

1. Established brand recognition: Vacasa’s established reputation in the vacation rental industry gives confidence to both hosts and guests. Its widespread recognition attracts travelers who associate the brand with quality and reliability. This can lead to more consistent bookings and higher guest satisfaction rates.
2. Comprehensive full-service management: Vacasa provides a hands-off experience for hosts by managing everything from listing creation to cleaning and guest support. This is especially attractive to property owners who have limited time or live far from their rental properties.
3. Professional marketing and exposure: Vacasa’s listings are promoted across a wide array of platforms, including global booking sites like Airbnb and VRBO. This wide marketing reach ensures maximum exposure for property owners and ultimately leads to more bookings and reduced vacancy rates.
4. Enhanced guest experience: Guests renting through Vacasa benefit from 24/7 customer service, professional cleaning, and well-maintained properties. This level of service encourages positive reviews, repeat bookings, and word-of-mouth recommendations.
5. Scalability for multi-property hosts: For owners managing multiple properties, Vacasa’s centralized platform streamlines operations, offering tools for performance tracking and portfolio management. 

Common Host Complaints About Vacasa

Here are the three most common complaints about Vacasa’s services, with direct quotes from users:

1. Hidden Costs and Fees

One owner expressed frustration about how Vacasa handles cancellations:

"Vacasa keeps any revenue from canceled bookings. If someone cancels the day before they arrive and forfeits their reservation, Vacasa keeps 100% of that revenue and does not pass it on to owners. It’s shockingly unfair in practice." - Source: Reddit

Another host noted discrepancies in pricing:

"I noticed that the prices on Airbnb were 20-30% higher than what Vacasa was telling me my nightly rates were." - Source: Reddit

2. High Management Fees

Vacasa’s management fee is considered steep by many users compared to the service quality.

One such user claims:

"The fee is around 35%. After taxes and utility bills, everybody else is making money but the actual owner." - Source: Reddit

3. No Control Over Listings

Listings are managed under Vacasa’s name, not the property owner's, resulting in a loss of independence and data.

One property owner had this to say on the topic:

"If a host decides to stop, they lose everything: reviews, photos, descriptions. You practically have to start from scratch!"  - Source: Reddit

Is Vacasa Worth the Cost?

Vacasa offers a comprehensive vacation rental management service, but with its high fees and mixed reviews, whether it's worth the cost depends on your priorities. 

Pros and Cons of Using Vacasa

Below is the table showcasing the strengths and weaknesses of the Vacasa rental management service provider. 

Alternatives to Vacasa for Property Management

For property owners seeking alternatives to Vacasa, several companies offer competitive vacation rental management services with distinct advantages. Here are some of the best alternatives:

1. Awning: Provides a transparent pricing model, charging a flat fee of 15% of revenue across all property types and locations, thus offering greater transparency and predictability compared to Vacasa's variable fees
2. TurnKey: Known for its tech-driven solutions and a strong emphasis on local teams to ensure high-quality maintenance and property management. Unlike Vacasa's more centralized model, which doesn’t always deliver quality maintenance.
3. Evolve: Recognized for its low management fees, typically around 10%, and offers extensive marketing and customer service support. This makes Evolve an attractive alternative for those seeking a more cost-effective property management option without sacrificing visibility or guest interaction.

Final Thoughts on Vacasa Fees

Vacasa's fee structure is a double-edged sword. 

On one hand, the company offers a comprehensive range of services, including property management, marketing, guest communication, and maintenance. 

On the other hand, the high fees—ranging from 25% to 35%—along with additional hidden costs, raise significant concerns among property owners. 

For those with high-end or multiple properties or those seeking a full-service management solution, Vacasa’s fees might be worth the investment, given the extensive service they provide and the convenience of a turnkey operation. 

The large scale of Vacasa also means it can offer certain advantages, such as broader market access and resources that smaller competitors cannot match.

However, for fewer properties or those looking to maximize their profit margin, Vacasa's pricing structure could be seen as too high for the value provided. 

In such cases, alternative property management services like Awning and Evolve might be better choices, as they offer lower fees while still providing quality services. 

Ready to streamline your vacation rental management and improve guest satisfaction? Learn how TouchStay’s digital guidebooks can enhance your guest experience and boost your revenue.

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