Is a percentage of net revenue better than a percentage of gross?

It is more transparent, because the fee is charged on money that actually reaches the owner. Whether it is cheaper depends on the percentages. Ask for a worked example on your own numbers.

What is a pass-through expense?

A cost the manager pays on the owner's behalf and re-bills: cleaning, laundry, utilities, repairs, contractors. It should be passed through at cost with receipts. A mark-up on pass-throughs is a second fee.

Do villa managers in Bali charge a minimum fee?

Some do, either a monthly retainer or a minimum management fee in low months. Ask whether one applies and when.

Guide · 2026

Villa management fees in Bali: how they work, and what to ask.

By Lilian Boboc, founder of Hospara · Updated 2026-09-30 · Based on a Bali operation of approximately 600 units

Owners compare headline percentages and miss the parts that decide what they actually keep. This guide explains the fee structures used in Bali in 2026, what sits inside and outside them, and the five questions that separate a clean contract from an expensive one.

Direct answer

Published 2026 rate cards in Bali range from about 13% to 25% of gross revenue, often with a fixed monthly fee on top. Some managers, including Hospara, charge a percentage of net revenue after OTA commission and tax instead. The base matters as much as the percentage: 15% of gross can equal roughly 20% of what the owner actually receives.

The three fee structures you will meet

Bali managers charge in one of three ways. A percentage of gross revenue, usually between 13% and 25% in published 2026 rate cards, sometimes plus a fixed monthly fee. A percentage of net revenue, taken after OTA commission and tax, which is how Hospara quotes. Or a hybrid: a lower percentage plus a monthly retainer of roughly IDR 1 to 3.5 million.

Gross and net are not interchangeable. A 15% fee on gross where Airbnb keeps 15% and tax takes 10% is about 20% of what reaches the owner. Ask which base is used and have it written into the contract with a worked example.

What is usually inside the fee

Listing management and distribution, pricing, guest communication, check-in and check-out coordination, housekeeping scheduling, basic maintenance coordination, monthly reporting and owner payout. Some managers include revenue management and review handling; others sell them separately.

What is usually outside it

Cleaning and laundry per stay, consumables and amenities, utilities, pool and garden contractors, repairs and parts, tax filings, licensing work, photography and any marketing spend. These are pass-through expenses. The question is whether they are passed through at cost with receipts or with a mark-up. A mark-up of 10% to 20% on every pass-through can matter more than the headline fee.

Owner stays, minimums and exits

Check three clauses: whether owner stays are free and how much notice they need in high season; whether there is a minimum monthly fee that applies in low months; and how the contract ends, including notice period, handover of listings, photos and reviews, and the final reconciliation.

How Hospara charges

One percentage of net revenue, quoted per property after a walk-through. Expenses are passed through at cost with receipts. Approval limits for spending are set by the owner. Listings, photographs and any direct-booking domain stay in the owner's name. The contract states the term, notice period and handover. The percentage is not published because it depends on the property; the structure is the same for everyone. Details on the Manage page.

Five questions to ask any Bali manager

Is the fee on gross or net revenue, and what exactly is deducted before it is calculated?
Are expenses passed through at cost, with receipts I can see?
Who approves spending, and above what amount?
Can I see a real monthly statement and the report behind it?
What happens to my listings and reviews if I leave?