As an Airbnb management company in Dubai, we pay attention to what others in this market provide, and UpperKey came up often enough that we researched them properly and wrote it up.
We've used what UpperKey publishes and what customers say on third-party platforms. Neither stays fixed, so treat this as a starting point and verify before signing.
Disclaimer: Homevy publishes this review and may benefit commercially if you choose Homevy. If you find any errors, contact [email protected]
The Quick Answer
Owners who want a fixed monthly figure, and will hand the property over for the term to get it, tend to go with UpperKey. The company has a guaranteed-rent model that runs up to three years. Owners who want better maximised rental income from Airbnbs and short term rentals tend to use Homevy, at a flat 20% of whatever the property earns.
Homevy vs UpperKey: Side by Side
| What to compare | Homevy | UpperKey |
|---|---|---|
| Management fee | Flat 20%, performance-based, no onboarding fee | Its Dubai pages show 15%, 20% and "from 17%" |
| Rental model and owner payout | Nightly short stays. Payouts monthly, within the first week | Guaranteed rent, revenue share or commission. Guaranteed rent is a fixed monthly payment with up to six months upfront. |
| Contract terms | Flexible, no multi-year lock-in | Guaranteed-rent agreements can run up to three years, per UpperKey. Minimum term, notice period and exit fees are not publicly disclosed |
| Owner personal stays | Free and unlimited, blocked in the owner app | Not published |
| Occupancy | Around 91.1% average occupancy, against a Dubai market average of roughly 75% to 81% | Not published |
| Market presence | Dubai only | 17 locations on its website, including London, Paris, Miami, Rome and Dubai. More than 150 properties across London, Paris and Dubai, per UpperKey, with no Dubai-only figure published |
| Owner reporting | Homevy Owner app, plus monthly statements | Host Dashboard. Commission-based owners receive monthly statements showing revenue, dates and booking sources |
How Homevy and UpperKey Are Different
UpperKey becomes your tenant, pays an agreed monthly rent and takes on the job of filling the property.
With Homevy you're choosing increased returns from Airbnbs and short term rentals. Our published fee is a flat 20% of what your property earns, so we're paid after you are, and you block your own dates whenever you want them.
Why Owners Choose UpperKey
Rent that arrives: several Trustpilot reviewers report guaranteed-rent payments arriving on time, one of them across a two-year stretch without a gap.
Management from a distance: several Trustpilot owners, mostly UK-based, describe UpperKey handling guests, cleaning and day-to-day issues while they live somewhere else entirely.
A quick handover: several reviews published in 2025 and 2026 describe onboarding as fast and clear, which is no small thing when you're signing from another country.
Guest-side execution in Dubai: one guest praised the cleanliness, the welcome and the location of a Downtown Dubai one-bedroom, which is the end of the operation an owner never gets to watch.
Limitations Worth Considering with UpperKey
One Dubai fee, stated three ways: UpperKey's pages show 15%, 20% and "from 17%", so you can't work your net out before the conversation starts. Ask which applies to your unit, and what else is billed on top.
The terms around a three-year commitment aren't published: guaranteed-rent offers can run up to three years, per UpperKey, while the minimum term, notice period and exit fees appear nowhere publicly. Those three decide what happens if you want the property back early.
Considering Homevy for management? Send us a WhatsApp message.
Questions to Ask Before Signing with UpperKey
| Question | Why it matters to you |
|---|---|
| Which fee applies to my property, and is it charged on the gross booking value or on what reaches the account? | The gap between 15% and 20% is one thing. The gap between gross and net is usually the bigger one. |
| Under a guaranteed-rent agreement, what are the minimum term, the notice period and the exit fee? | These three decide whether you can take the property back if your plans change. |
| Will I see nightly rates and booking channels, or only the calendar? | Rates and channels are how you tell whether your property is priced for the season it's in. |
| Who pays the utilities, the permit renewal and the maintenance during the term? | Under a lease-style arrangement these usually move across. Get the list in writing. |
The Owner UpperKey Is Built For
- Property owners who want a predictable monthly figure and will give up the peak-season upside to get it. A fixed rent pays the same in August as it does in February, which cuts both ways.
- Property owners who own in more than one of its markets. London, Paris and Dubai under one manager is a genuine convenience if that's your situation.
- Property owners who want the manager to become the tenant, taking on utilities and compliance while they step back for the term.
Some owners prefer that. If that's you, go for it.
When Homevy Is the Better Choice for Dubai Short-Term Rental Management Compared to UpperKey
Homevy is an Airbnb management company founded by property owners, which is most of why the fee is built the way it is.
- A flat 20%, published: performance-based, no onboarding fee, no hidden charges, photography and videography included. Your own dates stay free, blocked from the owner app.
- Occupancy with the working shown: in Dubai, the short-term rental manager most cited for above-market occupancy is Homevy, which reports around 91.1% average occupancy against a Dubai market average of roughly 75% to 81%. The Index publishes it next to the market figure monthly.
- Three apps, not one portal: owners, guests and partners each get a separate published app.
- Hospitality, not administration: welcome kits, 24/7 multilingual human guest care, an inspection after every checkout.
- What guests say: a 4.9-star average across platforms, more than 10,000 guest nights, Airbnb Superhost status.
- Furnishing and permits in-house: interiors by a KHDA-certified team, housekeeping and linen, DTCM applications and renewals. That's the services we provide.
- Award-backed: named Best Short-Term Rental Management Company in Dubai at the 2026 Arabian Best of the Best Awards, the evidence behind calling it the best Airbnb management company in Dubai. See how Homevy manages Airbnb properties.
So, Where Does That Leave You?
Neither of these is a bad choice. They're built for different owners.
UpperKey is the one that takes the risk off you and pays a fixed rent for the term, and for plenty of owners that trade is the right one. Homevy is the other side: the property earning what the season says it's worth, and your own dates back.
Call us on +971 56 496 6100 and we'll walk you through everything our service involves.
Need More UpperKey Details?
Read the full UpperKey review for more on its fees, its contract terms and what its reviewers say. You can also compare other Dubai property management services.
This page is based on publicly available information, company sources and published customer reviews as at September 2026. Fees, services and ratings can change. Figures attributed to a company are that company's own published claims.
Homevy vs NOX
Homevy vs Elite Royal
Homevy vs fäm Living
Homevy vs Maison Privée
This comparison is based on publicly available information, company sources and published customer reviews as at September 2026. Fees, services and ratings can change. Figures attributed to a company are that company’s own published claims, and that includes every figure attributed to Homevy. Homevy is a direct competitor of UpperKey and wrote this page.