Pass the Keys
Pass the Keys is a UK-headquartered franchise-based short-term rental management company serving individual property owners across 65+ locations in the UK and Spain. It combines a proprietary PMS with local franchise operators to deliver listing management, dynamic pricing, AI-powered guest messaging, and 24/7 support on Airbnb and 20+ booking platforms.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2014
- HeadquartersLondon, United Kingdom
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What Pass the Keys does
Pass the Keys is a UK-headquartered short-term rental property management company operating a franchise model with 65+ locations across the United Kingdom and Spain. Founded in 2014 and registered as Pass the Keys Limited in England, the company serves individual property owners and landlords seeking to generate rental income from short-term lets without managing the operational workload themselves. Its core offering combines a proprietary Property Management System (PMS) with local franchise expertise to deliver full-service management including listing creation, dynamic pricing, professional cleaning, 24/7 guest support, and regulatory compliance support.
The company's technology stack centers on a proprietary PMS that integrates dynamic pricing algorithms, real-time owner reporting via a client portal, and distribution across 20+ booking platforms including Airbnb and Booking.com. In 2025 the company partnered with Conduit to deploy AI-powered guest messaging across its franchise network, enabling automated 24/7 communication handling for guests, hosts, and service providers. Franchise partners operate local territories under the national Pass the Keys brand, supported by centralized technology standards, marketing infrastructure, and operating procedures.
Revenue is generated through commission-based management fees of approximately 12-15% of rental income, supplemented by franchise economics where the central entity licenses its technology platform and brand to local operators. Customer acquisition relies on SEO, content marketing, earned media coverage, Trustpilot-driven social proof, and referrals from the franchise network. The customer base is highly fragmented across individual property owners and small-scale landlords, with no disclosed enterprise or named-customer concentration.
Pass the Keys firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Pass the Keys
- Legal name
- Pass the Keys Limited
- Website
- https://passthekeys.co.uk
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2014
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- Pass the Keys is a UK-headquartered franchise-based short-term rental management company serving individual property owners across 65+ locations in the UK and Spain. It combines a proprietary PMS with local franchise operators to deliver listing management, dynamic pricing, AI-powered guest messaging, and 24/7 support on Airbnb and 20+ booking platforms.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Pass the Keys industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Vacation Rental Property Management
- NAICS
- Residential Property Managers (531311)
- SIC
- Real Estate Agents & Managers (For Others) (6531), Hotels, Rooming Houses, Camps & Other Lodging Places (7000), Services-To Dwellings & Other Buildings (7340)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Full-Service Vacation Rental Property Management (THAMAKAA)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Vacation & Short-Term Rental Management (BPAJAFAI), Full-Service Vacation Rental Property Management (BPAJAIAA), Co-Host / On-the-Ground Operations & Guest Services (BPAJAIAI)
Keywords
Where Pass the Keys is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- London
- HQ country
- United Kingdom
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices1 record
Markets served
Pass the Keys business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Property Management Commission: Pass the Keys earns a commission percentage on rental income generated from managed properties. The company handles all aspects of property management including cleaning, guest support, pricing optimization, and listing management.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Transaction based/ take rate | Pay-as-you-go | Commission-based management (12-15% of rental income) |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels5 records
Pass the Keys product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Pass the Keys provides full-service Airbnb and short-term rental property management for property owners, delivered through a franchise network of local operators across the UK and Spain. The service covers listing creation and SEO across 20+ booking platforms, dynamic pricing, hotel-quality cleaning, key management, maintenance coordination, 24/7 guest communication, and real-time owner reporting through a client portal. The company charges a commission on rental income in exchange for handling all operational and compliance aspects of short-let hosting.
Product overview
Pass the Keys is a franchise-based short-term rental property management platform operating across 65+ locations in the UK and Spain. The core offering is a comprehensive Airbnb management service combining a proprietary property management system (PMS) with local franchise expertise. Key products include: the core Listing Management and Dynamic Pricing modules, the Client Portal for real-time host reporting, 24/7 Guest Support with AI-powered messaging via Conduit integration, and Professional Property Management services. The platform distributes listings across 20+ booking platforms including Airbnb and Booking.com, with properties managed by local franchise partners supported by national technology standards.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Airbnb & Short-Term Let Property Management Full-service Airbnb and short-term rental property management combining local franchise expertise with national technology standards. Handles everything from cleaning and dynamic pricing to guest communication and regulatory compliance.
- Listing Management Expert SEO positioning, professional copywriting, photography, and listing creation across major platforms including Airbnb and Booking.com with exposure on 20+ booking platforms.
- Dynamic Pricing Service Smart technology that automatically adjusts rental rates to capture peak demand while keeping bookings flowing during quieter periods using demand-based pricing algorithms.
- Host Client Portal Real-time host dashboard showing upcoming bookings, monthly income reports, average daily rates (ADR), occupancy rates, reviews, and maintenance updates accessible 24/7.
- 24/7 Guest Support Service Round-the-clock guest communication management handling everything from enquiry through to check-out, including guest verification and 24/7 check-in services.
- Professional Property Management (Cleaning, Linen & Maintenance) Hotel-quality cleaning, professionally laundered high-thread-count linen, toiletries, key management, and maintenance coordination to keep properties in peak condition year-round.
- Pass the Keys Franchise Program Franchise offering that licenses the Pass the Keys brand, technology platform, and operating standards to local business owners who manage properties in defined territories, currently spanning 65+ locations across the UK and Spain.
Quantifiable outcome
- Guest ratings above industry standards resulting in better visibility, stronger occupancy and maximum revenues
Companies that use Pass the Keys
Customer profileSegments1 record
Ideal customer profiles1 record
Pass the Keys technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration3 records
AI capability5 records
Feature4 records
Pass the Keys partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
One partnership is on record.
- ConduitcorePass the Keys partnered with Conduit to bring AI-powered guest messaging across 65+ holiday let franchise locations. The partnership integrates Pass the Keys' proprietary PMS with Conduit's AI messaging platform to streamline guest communications and improve response times. Franchise partners can now manage guest, host, and service provider messages in one interface.
Scale indicators3 records
Recent moves5 records
Expansion highlights4 records
Pass the Keys competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- GuestReady: GuestReady is a short-term rental management company operating across the UK, Europe, and beyond, offering full-service Airbnb and vacation rental management with dynamic pricing, cleaning, and 24/7 guest support. It is one of the closest direct competitors to Pass the Keys in the UK and European markets.
- Houst (formerly Airsorted): Houst is a UK-headquartered short-term rental management company that provides end-to-end Airbnb management services including listing creation, dynamic pricing, cleaning, and guest communication. It is a direct competitor in the UK and European markets.
- MadeComfy: MadeCommy is a vacation rental management company specializing in short-term rental management with proprietary technology for dynamic pricing and guest experience. It has expanded from Australia into the UK, competing directly with Pass the Keys in select territories.
- Evolve: Evolve is a vacation rental management company that partners with local property managers to provide full-service short-term rental management. While primarily US-focused, its franchise/partner-based model is structurally similar to Pass the Keys' franchise approach.
Broad incumbents
- Vacasa: Vacasa is one of the largest vacation rental management companies in North America, offering full-service short-term rental management including dynamic pricing, cleaning, and guest support. It represents the broad incumbent model of professional vacation rental management at scale.
- Vrbo (Expedia Group): Vrbo is a major vacation rental booking platform owned by Expedia Group, providing both a marketplace for property owners and increasingly professional management partnerships. As a broad incumbent, it competes in the same ecosystem as Pass the Keys for short-term rental bookings and host services.
- Airbnb: Airbnb is the dominant short-term rental booking platform globally and the primary distribution channel for Pass the Keys managed properties. Airbnb's evolving host tools, co-host marketplace, and Airbnb-friendly apartments initiative position it as both a critical partner and a broad incumbent competitor.
Others
- Guesty: Guesty is a property management software platform designed for short-term rental managers and hosts. While not a direct competitor in property management services, it provides the underlying technology stack that Pass the Keys could potentially leverage or compete against for franchisee operational systems.
- Smoobu: Smoobu is a property management software provider for vacation rental managers and hosts, offering channel manager, booking, and guest communication tools. It serves as an enabling technology provider in the same ecosystem as Pass the Keys rather than a direct service competitor.
Emerging players
- Lavanda: Lavanda is a short-term rental technology and management platform focused on professionalizing residential and build-to-rent accommodation. It represents an emerging player that combines technology with managed services in adjacent segments to Pass the Keys' core vacation rental management business.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
Pass the Keys social profiles
Digital presencePass the Keys financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Pass the Keys leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles4 records
Pass the Keys funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds4 records
Investors4 records
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Pass the Keys M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Pass the Keys
What does Pass the Keys do?
Pass the Keys provides full-service Airbnb and short-term rental property management for property owners, delivered through a franchise network of local operators across the UK and Spain. The service covers listing creation and SEO across 20+ booking platforms, dynamic pricing, hotel-quality cleaning, key management, maintenance coordination, 24/7 guest communication, and real-time owner reporting through a client portal. The company charges a commission on rental income in exchange for handling all operational and compliance aspects of short-let hosting.
Is Pass the Keys a public or private company?
Pass the Keys is a private company. It is classified as venture growth investor backed and is currently operating.
When was Pass the Keys founded?
Pass the Keys was founded in 2014. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Pass the Keys based?
Pass the Keys is headquartered in London, United Kingdom, in the Europe region.
How does Pass the Keys make money?
One revenue line is on record: property Management Commission.
Who are Pass the Keys's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are GuestReady, Houst (formerly Airsorted), MadeComfy and Evolve. Broad incumbents are Vacasa, Vrbo (Expedia Group) and Airbnb. Others are Guesty and Smoobu. Lavanda is listed as an emerging player.
Does Pass the Keys have an API?
No public API is recorded for Pass the Keys.
What industry is Pass the Keys in?
Pass the Keys's product category is Vacation Rental Property Management. Its primary akta.pro industry code is THAMAKAA, Full-Service Vacation Rental Property Management, with a secondary code of BPAJAFAI, Vacation & Short-Term Rental Management. Its NAICS code is 531311 and its SIC code is 6531.