VRBO's pay-per-booking fee is built around a 5% host commission plus payment processing when it applies. For a full comparison of both platforms, see our VRBO vs Airbnb breakdown. Here's how to model the host-side fees in your numbers.
Quick Answer: What Percentage Does VRBO Take From Hosts?
VRBO's host fee is usually a 5% commission on the rental amount and host-added fees, plus a 3% payment processing fee on the payment amount when processing applies. For conservative underwriting, many hosts model this as roughly 8% of booking revenue.
Host commission
5%
Rental amount and host-added fees.
Processing
3%
Payment amount when it applies.
Underwrite at
8%
A practical conservative assumption.
Guest service fees are separate and may also appear in the traveler's checkout total. Source: Vrbo pay-per-booking fee help.
VRBO's Host-Side Fee Components
When you list on VRBO, separate the host-side fee into two pieces:
Commission
Charged on the rental amount and host fees
- 5% commission on rental amount
- Applies to cleaning, pet, and similar host-added fees
- Bookings from some distribution partners may have higher fees
- Use this as the minimum host-side platform fee
Processing
Charged when payment processing applies
- 3% payment processing fee
- Charged on the payment amount
- Can include taxes and refundable deposits
- May not apply when using property management software
The Short Answer
Use 5% when you are modeling commission only. Use 8% as a conservative underwriting assumption when payment processing applies. Taxes and refundable security deposits are not part of the 5% commission base, but they can be part of the processing-fee base.
What the Host Fees Cover
The commission and processing fees support the booking and payment flow:
Payment Processing
VRBO charges the guest's credit card and transfers funds to you. No need to set up your own payment gateway or handle sensitive card data.
Fraud Protection
VRBO screens for fraudulent bookings and covers losses from payment fraud. If a guest's card is stolen, you're protected.
Chargeback Handling
When guests dispute charges with their bank, VRBO handles the process. Chargebacks are time-consuming and stressful, so this alone is worth the fee.
Payment Scheduling
Automatic payment collection: deposit at booking, balance before arrival. You receive funds on a predictable schedule.
Refund Management
When cancellations happen, VRBO processes refunds according to your policy automatically.
How VRBO Fees Are Calculated
VRBO's 5% commission applies to the rental amount and fees you charge travelers. Payment processing adds 3% on the payment amount when it applies. Here's a conservative underwriting example using 8%:
Example: 5-Night Beach House Booking
VRBO vs. Airbnb Fees: Side-by-Side
The platforms charge differently, which affects both your take-home and what guests see:
| VRBO | Airbnb | |
|---|---|---|
| Host fee | 5% + processing | 3% or ~15.5% |
| Guest fee | May apply | Varies by fee model |
| What guest pays | Listed price + platform fees | Depends on fee model |
| On $1,000 booking, you get | $920-950 | ~$845-970 |
Airbnb's host-side fee depends on the fee model. See our Airbnb fees explainedguide for the full breakdown of Airbnb's 2026 fee structure.
When to Use a 5% vs 8% Assumption
Choose the assumption based on what you are trying to model:
- Use 5% for commission-only modeling: This is the core commission on the rental amount and host-added fees.
- Use 8% for conservative underwriting: This approximates the 5% commission plus 3% processing when processing applies.
- Adjust for your account setup: Processing and distribution-partner fees can vary, especially for hosts using property management software.
Do the Math First
On $50,000 annual revenue, the difference between a 5% and 8% fee assumption is $1,500. If you are evaluating a deal before purchase, the 8% assumption gives you a more conservative projection.
Beyond Platform Fees: Total Cost of VRBO Hosting
VRBO's host-side fees are just one piece of your cost structure. Here's what to budget for:
How to Price Around VRBO Fees
Some hosts try to “pass on” the VRBO fee by raising prices mechanically. This usually backfires. Instead:
- Price based on market comps: Your rate should match what comparable properties charge, regardless of platform fees.
- Factor fees into your analysis: When evaluating deals, calculate net revenue after commission and processing assumptions. You can model VRBO fees in the calculator or see our guide on VRBO income potential for realistic revenue expectations.
- Consider cross-platform pricing: Compare final guest totals and net host payouts across VRBO and Airbnb before setting different platform rates.
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