Houst Reviews: Is It the Right Airbnb Management Company for You? (Houst vs. Hostroo)

If you are a property owner looking to hand over the stressful, day-to-day operations of your short-term rental, you have likely come across Houst (formerly Airsorted). As one of the largest names in the game, they are hard to miss.

But is a massive, global management company actually the best fit for your specific property and income goals? Or does a specialized, hyper-local team deliver better returns and peace of mind?

In this comprehensive review, we dive into what Houst does well, where they fall short, and how they compare to Hostroo - a boutique, UK-focused alternative that is rapidly becoming the go-to choice for revenue-minded landlords.

Houst Reviews: The Good, The Bad, and The Massive

Houst is an undeniably impressive company. Founded in London in 2015, they have grown into a global behemoth in the short-let management space.

Here are some of their staggering statistics:

• They manage over 11,650 properties worldwide.

• They operate in 27 cities across 10 different countries.

• They have managed over 2.3 million guest nights and completed 580,000+ check-ins.

The Technology and Franchise Model

Houst leans heavily into technology to manage this sheer volume. They offer a highly automated service with a proprietary owner dashboard that allows you to view bookings, earnings, and calendar data in real-time. For landlords who love tracking metrics on an app, this centralized tech model is a major draw.

However, to achieve this global scale, Houst relies on a highly centralized operational model. While they have local teams, much of the support and operations are managed by remote, centralized teams, meaning you are dealing with a corporate structure rather than a dedicated, local property manager.

Who Houst is NOT For

While Houst works well for some, their massive scale can be a double-edged sword. Based on industry feedback and their business model, Houst is generally not the best fit if you fall into these categories:

1. You want a personal touch: When a company manages nearly 12,000 properties, you are inherently just a number in a massive database. If you want to pick up the phone and speak to a local manager who knows the quirks of your specific street and property, a global corporate entity will struggle to provide that.
   

2. You are highly revenue-minded: Houst’s fees are typically based on gross booking revenue (often ranging from 12% to 20%+ depending on the contract). Furthermore, extra costs like cleaning are often charged separately, which can eat into your net profit. If your primary goal is maximizing your net pay-out, the corporate fee structure might limit your earning potential.
   

Has your property become just a number on a spreadsheet? It might be time to look closer to home.

Real Landlord Experience: Leaving Houst for Hostroo

Don't just take our word for it. Listen to Jack Dowling, a London-based Management Consultant, who made the switch from Houst to Hostroo after becoming frustrated with the lack of proactive management.

(Watch Jack's full story below)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y0-5MlhIVus

Why Jack Left Houst: Jack was with Houst for over a year. While he acknowledged their tech portal was "fantastic" and "very flash," the actual management fell flat.

"There just wasn't enough coming through," Jack explains. "There just wasn't much impetus in terms of pushing the property effectively... You end up working with an often quite junior member of that team, and I was just handholding them through a lot of the process."

Because Jack’s property was in East London (Mile End) - a great area, but one that needs a strategic push rather than relying purely on central tourist traffic - Houst’s automated approach couldn't secure the bookings he needed.

Why Jack Chose Hostroo: After a personal recommendation, Jack moved to Hostroo for a trial. The difference was immediate.

"You specifically addressed the feedback point that I had with Houst and managed to get some pretty solid interest in tenancy fairly quickly," Jack noted. "It’s about how much money is coming through the door. And you’ve delivered not only some good tenancies, but also at some really good prices."

Jack also highlighted the personal touch and care for the property. When he needed extensive plumbing work, Hostroo sourced a quote that was "significantly less" than market rate, proving they weren't looking to slap hidden margins on maintenance work.

"The rentals that we are looking to get require and benefit hugely from a hands-on approach and somebody going out and pushing the property... If you want to compete for that clientele, then you need to go with a company like Hostroo." - Jack

Houst vs. Hostroo: Which One is Better?

If you are tired of the corporate "factory" approach to property management, Hostroo offers a compelling, highly specialized alternative.

Here is why many UK landlords are making the switch:

1. Small Enough to Care, Big Enough to Deliver

Hostroo is not trying to conquer 10 countries. They are a specialized UK operator (with a strong focus on London and surrounding areas).

While they aren't a massive international conglomerate, they are backed by a robust 100-person development team. This means they have the cutting-edge technology and dynamic pricing algorithms of a massive company, but they employ locally.

The result? You get the revenue-boosting tech of a giant, paired with the tailored, relationship-driven service of a local boutique agency. You aren't passed around a remote call centre; you deal with local experts who actually know your market.

2. Combating the "Too Big to Care" Churn Rate

It’s a common story in the property management industry: a company grows too fast, becomes "too big to care," and ends up with a high churn rate of unhappy landlords who feel neglected.

Because Hostroo uses a localized, hands-on approach, they can dedicate the time and resources needed to actively push your property, secure high-value medium-term lets, and maintain the physical condition of your home to a premium standard.

3. The Hybrid Revenue Strategy

Unlike automated models that just list your property on Airbnb and wait, Hostroo actively hunts for revenue. They use a hybrid approach, blending peak short-stay tourism with premium medium-term lets (like corporate relocations or visiting academics). This strategy keeps occupancy high year-round and ensures maximum net yields.

4. A Transparent, Hyper-Local Approach to Property Management

While Hostroo’s core hubs operate directly in London (including Central, North, South, East, and West), Oxford, and Nottingham, their reach extends much further across the UK. To ensure landlords in the South East, the Midlands, the North West, the South West, Yorkshire, and beyond always get a personal, human touchpoint, Hostroo partners with independent local estate agents across these major regions. Their operational excellence is so highly regarded within the industry that Hostroo even provides a premium white-label service, discreetly managing property portfolios on behalf of other well-established estate agencies under their own branding.

But what truly sets Hostroo apart from corporate giants is their radical commitment to honest pricing.

During your initial demo call, you won't be sold on inflated, best-case-scenario projections; instead, the team walks you through realistic, data-backed net payout figures so you know exactly what to expect. Furthermore, Hostroo firmly believes that maximizing your profit shouldn't mean nickel-and-diming you with hidden fees. That’s why they never charge landlords for cleaning fees and refuse to add markups on maintenance costs just to line their own pockets.

With Hostroo, what you see is what you get - 100% transparency and absolutely no hidden costs.

The Balanced Conclusion

So, which is better?

If you own multiple properties across different countries (like France, Australia, and the UAE), love a highly automated app experience, and don't mind a hands-off, centralized corporate approach, Houst is a formidable choice. They have the scale and the tech to manage massive global portfolios.

However, if your property is in the UK and you want to maximize your net revenue, Hostroo is the clear winner.

Hostroo offers the perfect "Goldilocks" solution: they have the sophisticated tech to maximize pricing, but they remain small and localized enough to treat your property like a premium asset, not just a number on a spreadsheet.

If you are tired of hidden fees, junior account managers, and vacant calendars, it is time to upgrade your management.

Ready to maximize your rental yields without lifting a finger?

Stop guessing your nightly rates and dealing with late-night guest messages.

[Get Your Free, No-Obligation Property Valuation with Hostroo Today]

Disclaimer: This article constitutes independent market commentary. All views expressed are our honest opinions and fair comment based on verifiable customer experiences and publicly available information at the time of writing. All company names, logos, and trademarks (including Houst) are the property of their respective owners. The use of these names is for identification and comparative purposes only (nominative fair use) and does not imply any affiliation, sponsorship, or endorsement. This content is provided for informational purposes only, and readers are encouraged to conduct their own independent research before making business decisions.