Choosing a holiday-home management company in Dubai

What is included, and who does the work?

Ask for a written scope covering preparation, photography, listings, guest communication, housekeeping, maintenance coordination and owner reporting. For each service, clarify whether it is included, separately charged or arranged through another provider.

Ask who your regular contact will be and how responsibilities are handed over when that person is unavailable. A clear operating process is more useful than a broad promise that everything is handled. If your property needs furnishing or repair, have that work described and priced separately from ongoing management.

How was the earnings forecast built?

Request the nightly-rate and occupancy assumptions, the number of available nights and the costs included. Ask how the property’s building, layout, condition and view affect the comparison. Check whether the forecast covers a full year or a particular season.

A higher number is not automatically a better proposal. Compare like-for-like assumptions and ask what happens in a lower-demand scenario. Our guide to holiday-home income and costs provides a simple framework for this conversation.

What will be deducted from the income?

Write down every charge and the amount it is based on. A percentage applied to accommodation revenue differs from a percentage applied to a broader total. Confirm how platform deductions, cleaning, maintenance, utilities and other owner costs are shown.

Ask for an anonymised example statement. Trace one booking from its revenue to the owner balance and payout, including any adjustments. This is a useful way to see whether the reporting is understandable before signing.

How are property issues handled?

Discuss inspection routines, how damage is documented and how repair decisions are approved. Agree the route for urgent work and the spending authority involved. Ask what evidence accompanies an invoice and who follows up if a repair does not resolve the problem.

The right questions depend on the home. An apartment with smart access, complex appliances or specific building procedures needs a team that understands those arrangements. Give candidates the same information so their proposals reflect the real workload.

What can you see and control?

Ask to see the owner-reporting experience. Check whether you can follow reservations, availability, rates and property performance, and how frequently information is updated. Ask how questions about a statement are handled.

If you want personal stays, clarify the process for blocking available dates and the treatment of existing reservations. Confirm how calendar changes are coordinated across booking channels. At WiseStay, owner access and personal-use flexibility are part of our Owner Portal approach.

Read the handover and exit arrangements

Before signing, review the agreement’s duration, notice provisions, responsibilities and any costs that apply when the arrangement ends. Discuss what happens to confirmed bookings, keys, records, photographs and platform listings during a handover. Seek professional advice on terms you do not understand.

Keep the comparison focused on evidence you can review. Ask the company to explain how it will coordinate applicable operating requirements; DET provides the official holiday-home permit service. Do not treat a marketing badge as a substitute for checking the relevant details.

You can explore WiseStay’s management services, read about our approach and leadership, or ask us about a proposal for your home.