1. Fee comparison

Hometime fees

Hometime does not publish a standard fee rate. Fees vary by location and are provided on request via an obligation-free consultation. The location-specific approach reflects genuine cost variation across their coverage area - managing a Bondi Beach property involves different logistics and market dynamics than a Gold Coast apartment. The trade-off is that you cannot compare rates without going through a sales process.

Houst fees

Houst starts at 14% for full management with no setup fee. The fee covers dynamic pricing, 24/7 guest communication, professional photography, multi-channel distribution and a live owner dashboard. No lock-in contracts on standard terms.

The fee comparison in practice

Direct fee comparison is not straightforward given Hometime's quote-only model. In the markets where both operate - Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane - Australian STR management typically runs 15-25% of booking revenue. Houst's published 14% starting rate is competitive at the lower end of the market. Whether Hometime's local host model generates sufficient additional income to offset any fee premium depends on the specific property and suburb.

2. Service comparison

The local host model vs technology platform

The most significant structural difference is Hometime's dedicated local host model. Each Hometime property is paired with a local expert who manages that property alongside a small portfolio of nearby properties. The local host handles physical aspects of management - property access, inspections, guest issues, relationships with local contractors - while Hometime's technology platform handles pricing, distribution and guest communication.

Houst's model is platform-first: centralised technology handles pricing, guest communication and multi-channel distribution, with local operational teams for cleaning and physical management. The owner dashboard gives real-time visibility into earnings, occupancy and booking pace.

Both models work. The local host model tends to deliver more responsive on-the-ground management for individual properties. The platform model delivers more consistent standardised processes and better data-driven pricing at scale.

City and suburb coverage

Hometime covers Sydney (Bondi, Bronte, Coogee, Darlinghurst, inner east and northern beaches), Melbourne (St Kilda, inner suburbs), Brisbane, Gold Coast, Perth, Adelaide and Cairns. Their suburb-level coverage in Sydney's coastal and inner-east markets is particularly strong.

Houst operates in Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane in Australia, plus 20+ cities globally including Edinburgh, London, Paris, Dubai and Auckland. For Australian owners with properties in multiple countries, Houst's international footprint is directly relevant.

Awards and track record

Hometime was awarded Australia's Best Short-Term Rental Property Manager for 2026 at the STRIVE Awards. They report a 4.8/5 average Airbnb guest rating across their portfolio and over 2,000 homeowners. Houst manages 300,000+ bookings globally with strong Trustpilot ratings.

Regulatory compliance

Both handle STRA registration in NSW (A$65, mandatory before listing) and Victoria's 7.5% short-stay levy (in effect from January 2025) as part of their management service. For Sydney properties, confirm 180-night cap tracking is handled automatically.

3. Where each company has an edge

Where Hometime has an edge

Local host model: Each property gets a dedicated local expert with genuine suburb-level knowledge. For coastal and inner-city Sydney properties where micro-location matters significantly for pricing, this can translate into materially better performance than a centralised pricing model.

STRIVE Award 2026: Industry recognition as Australia's Best STR Manager adds a trust signal that is difficult to dismiss for owners evaluating Australian operators.

Suburb depth in Sydney: Hometime's coverage of Bondi, Bronte, Coogee, Darlinghurst and the inner east is particularly deep. In these markets - where nightly rates are among the highest in Australia - local expertise is worth paying for.

Australia-native: Hometime is an Australian company focused entirely on the Australian market. All their regulatory knowledge, contractor relationships and pricing data is Australia-specific.

Where Houst has an edge

Published pricing: Houst starts at 14% - a clear, comparable number that Hometime cannot match without a consultation. For owners who want to make an informed decision without going through a sales process, this matters.

Global footprint: For owners with properties in multiple countries, or Australian owners considering international investment, Houst's 20+ city global platform is directly relevant. Hometime is Australia-only.

Real-time owner dashboard: Houst's live earnings and occupancy dashboard gives owners direct visibility without waiting for monthly reports.

International distribution relationships: Houst's global scale means their distribution relationships with Airbnb, Booking.com and Vrbo operate at a level that drives preferential treatment on search ranking that a market-specific operator cannot replicate.

4. Which is better for different property types

Sydney coastal properties (Bondi, Bronte, Coogee, inner east)

Hometime's suburb-level expertise in these specific markets is their strongest differentiator. A$561/night ADR in Bondi at 82% occupancy means every pricing decision compounds significantly. Hometime's local host model and 2026 Best STR Manager award give them a credible claim to outperform in these specific suburbs. Worth getting a Hometime quote alongside Houst for any coastal Sydney property.

Melbourne inner-city properties

Both operate in Melbourne. Victoria's 7.5% short-stay levy (from January 2025) makes compliance handling important - both companies manage this. Getting quotes from both is the right approach.

Multi-city Australian portfolios

Both cover Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane. For owners with properties across multiple Australian cities, both are viable. For owners with international properties beyond Australia, Houst's global platform is the only relevant choice.

International investors managing Australian properties remotely

Houst's global platform and real-time owner dashboard are designed specifically for remote owners. Hometime's local host model also serves remote owners well - the local host handles on-the-ground aspects the owner cannot manage from overseas.

5. Head-to-head summary

• Fee: Houst from 14% published vs Hometime quote-only - Houst wins on transparency
• Local expertise: Hometime dedicated local host model vs Houst centralised platform - Hometime wins in specific suburban markets
• Awards: Hometime Australia's Best STR Manager 2026 (STRIVE) vs Houst global scale - Hometime has stronger Australian industry recognition
• Global coverage: Hometime Australia-only vs Houst 20+ cities globally - Houst for international owners
• Technology: Houst real-time owner dashboard vs Hometime owner portal - both strong, Houst more transparent
• Compliance: Both handle STRA registration, 180-night cap, Victoria levy - comparable

For city-specific comparisons where both operate, see: best Airbnb management companies in Sydney and best Airbnb management companies in Melbourne. For further context, see Airbnb management fees guide and is Airbnb management worth it.

6. FAQ

Is Hometime better than Houst in Australia?

In specific suburban markets - particularly Sydney's coastal and inner-east suburbs - Hometime's local host model and 2026 Best STR Manager award give them a credible claim. For owners who want published transparent pricing, global platform technology or properties outside Australia, Houst has the advantage. The right choice depends on your property's location and what you prioritise.

What are Hometime's management fees?

Hometime does not publish a standard fee rate. Fees are location-specific and provided via consultation. Australian STR management generally runs 15-25% of booking revenue. Request a written quote from Hometime and compare against Houst's published 14% starting rate before signing.

Does Hometime operate outside Australia?

No. Hometime is an Australia-only operator. For properties in the UK, Europe, UAE, South Africa or New Zealand, Houst is the relevant choice.

Does Houst operate in Australia?

Yes. Houst operates in Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane in Australia, alongside 20+ cities globally.

Which is better for a Sydney investment property?

For coastal and inner-east Sydney properties (Bondi, Bronte, Coogee, Darlinghurst), Hometime's local host model and suburb-level expertise are strong differentiators. For city centre Sydney properties, both are competitive - get quotes from both and compare the net income projection, not just the headline fee rate.

This guide reflects publicly available information as of June 2026. Fee structures and service offerings change - always confirm directly with both companies before signing. This is not financial advice.