How to pick a property manager for a Mardakan pool house
Owners who self-manage earn 15% more; owners who hire a manager gain 40% more free time. Above 80% peak occupancy the manager pays for themselves — it's a question of quality.
What a manager does
- Publishes and moderates the listing on Booking, Airbnb, Instagram.
- Answers guests 24/7.
- Handles check-ins, cleaning, laundry.
- Reports bookings and revenue to the owner.
- Handles minor repairs and restocks.
2026 rates in Mardakan
| Format | Commission | Includes |
|---|---|---|
| Basic | 10–12% | Listing and bookings only |
| Standard | 15% | + check-in and cleaning |
| Premium turnkey | 18–22% | + photo, marketing, small repairs |
| Guaranteed rent | Fixed amount | Manager carries occupancy risk |
Seven signs of an honest manager
- Online booking dashboard with owner access.
- Separate account with transparent income and expense flows.
- Contract in Azerbaijani and Russian/English.
- Portfolio of 20+ properties with live listing links.
- Doesn't demand exclusivity in year one.
- Presents shoulder season honestly (not just peak).
- Own cleaning team and key logistics.
Red flag: a manager promising 90% occupancy in May and September. That's not real anywhere in the market — shoulder-season truth is 40–55%.
Contract must-haves
- Exact commission and its scope.
- Owner payout schedule (usually bi-weekly).
- Guest damage compensation procedure.
- Termination terms (30 days notice).
- Reporting and calendar access.
See also: nightly rental guide, investment ROI.