What Percentage Do Sykes Cottages Charge? Get the Facts on Listing and Last-Minute Fees

If you’ve ever tried to list your cottage for holiday rentals, you know those commission percentages can really eat into your earnings. Sykes Cottages—one of the biggest names in UK holiday rentals—usually charges owners a commission between 20% and 25% on every booking. Yep, you read that right. So, if your cottage goes for £1,000 a week, you’ll see about £750 to £800 after commission, and Sykes keeps the rest for listing, advertising, and handling bookings.

That’s not all, though. There might be a marketing fee upfront (sometimes up to £400), which can feel like a sting if you’re not prepared. Always check your agreement because fees can differ based on your cottage’s location, size, and how many extras you want Sykes to handle for you.

• The Sykes Cottages Commission Explained
• Extra Fees to Keep on Your Radar
• How Last Minute Bookings Impact Your Earnings
• Tips to Boost Your Income and Cut Costs

The Sykes Cottages Commission Explained

Let’s talk numbers because that’s what matters when you're listing your place with Sykes cottages. Most cottage owners see a commission rate somewhere between 20% and 25% for every booking Sykes secures. It’s not a hidden fee—this percentage is right there in the contract, and it gets taken straight out of each guest payment before you see a penny.

Wondering what you’re getting in exchange? Sykes handles all the guest enquiries, payment processing, advertising, guest support and some property management bits. So, that high percentage isn’t just for popping a photo online—it actually covers a bunch of work that can take a load off your shoulders, especially if you're new to the holiday rental game.

Here’s a quick example so you know what to expect:

It’s always a flat percentage, not a sliding scale—so bigger bookings mean more commission. Occasionally, Sykes does special deals, but for most, that 20-25% range is the reality.

Remember, this doesn’t usually include extra fees like cleaning or damage deposits. And there’s no VAT added on top of the commission—it comes out of the total paid by your guest. If you want a lower rate, sometimes Sykes will negotiate for bigger properties or in certain areas where they’re keen to grow, but don’t count on huge discounts.

The takeaway? Make sure you run the numbers for your own cottage before jumping in, so you know what you’ll really earn after the sykes cottages fees are taken out.

Extra Fees to Keep on Your Radar

It’s not just the commission you have to factor in. Listing your place with Sykes cottages can come with some hidden or easily overlooked charges, and you’ll want to budget for them upfront.

First up, there’s usually a photography fee. Sykes wants pro-level pics on their site (fair enough, considering how much photos matter), but that means you might get charged between £200 and £400 for their photographer to swing by—even if you already have decent pictures. Some owners have managed to negotiate, but don’t count on it.

There’s also an annual listing or admin fee. Sometimes it’s bundled into the commission, other times it pops up as a separate line on your invoice later in the year. Not all owners get hit with this, but it’s better to check the small print than be surprised when you’re budgeting for your last minute cottages.

Another fee that sneaks up? Housekeeping and maintenance management. If you let Sykes handle all the cleaning and maintenance call-outs, they’ll tack on extra charges. It’s super convenient, just know it’s not free. If you’ve got a local cleaner or you handle it yourself, you can skip this cost.

Some other bits that might crop up:

• Credit card processing fees: Sometimes passed onto owners if guests pay by card. This isn’t always clear on day one, so double-check.
• Owner withdrawal/cancellation changes: If you want to block off last-minute dates or cancel an agreed booking, there can be penalty fees (sometimes £100+ per swap).
• Premium listing fees: Want better search spots on the site? You might get pitched a premium spot for an extra monthly fee.

Here’s a quick breakdown of common Sykes cottages fees you could see:

Always go through the contract with a fine-toothed comb. Ask questions, get every figure in writing, and set aside a buffer for those surprise extras. The fees can add up, so knowing what’s coming helps you keep your cottage owner tips game strong and your profits healthy.

How Last Minute Bookings Impact Your Earnings

Last minute bookings through Sykes cottages are great for keeping your place filled, but they come with their own set of money quirks. First off, Sykes is known for running flash deals and last-minute price drops—often slashing rental rates by 10% to 30% to get bookings through the door. This means your nightly price might drop much lower than what you’d expect in peak season.

Here’s something you won’t find in the fine print: Sykes still takes the same commission percentage out of whatever discounted price gets charged. So if your standard weekly rate is £1,000 and Sykes offers it at £700 for a last-minute guest, they’ll still grab their 20% to 25% off that lower figure.

If you rely a lot on last minute cottages deals, your overall earnings will dip compared to advance bookings. It’s smart to balance your calendar—don’t always count on last-minute guests making up the shortfall.

• Sykes commission comes off the discounted rate, not the original rate.
• Discount decisions are usually made by Sykes, not you, once you opt in.
• If you want more control, ask Sykes about setting your own minimum nightly price for last-minute spots.

If you want steady cash flow, use last-minute offers to fill gaps rather than as the main source for your bookings. Owners who mix regular and spontaneous bookings seem to get the best income over the year.

Tips to Boost Your Income and Cut Costs

One of the best ways to get the most out of letting your property through Sykes cottages is to be smart with pricing and costs. Many owners get stuck paying high commissions and other fees without even trying common tricks that could save them cash. Let’s break down some moves you can make.

• Set your own last-minute deals: Sykes sometimes pushes heavy discounts for last minute cottages—they’ll recommend dropping your price as dates get closer. If you’re quick to update your prices yourself or use their ‘owner offers’ tool in your portal, you can attract bargain-hunters but still keep enough earnings to make it worthwhile.
• Be flexible with check-in and check-out days: Allowing shorter breaks or letting guests arrive on less popular days can fill empty weeks fast. Sykes' own data showed that properties open to flexible bookings saw up to 35% more occupancy through the last-minute season (especially summer holidays and Easter).
• Cut cleaning and maintenance costs: Skip the Sykes add-ons where you can. Many owners handle cleaning themselves or hire local help for less than Sykes’ recommended companies charge. For routine maintenance, build a relationship with a trusted local handyman rather than relying on Sykes' preferred supplier list.
• Use high-quality photos: Bright, clear images—especially of the living room and kitchen—get more clicks. Sykes puts listings with new photos or 360-degree tours higher in last-minute searches. If you refresh your images every couple of years, you stay top of search and bookings jump.
• Respond fast to booking queries: Sykes’ rankings boost cottages that engage quickly with interested guests, so use the mobile app or set up alerts. Quick responses push your cottage up in the search results for last minute cottages.
• Question every extra fee: If Sykes tries to add a seasonal marketing boost or offers extra advertising, check if it's really worth it—many owners only see a small difference after stacked fees are taken off.

Here’s a quick look at how those moves can affect your bottom line:

An extra tip: don’t forget about direct bookings. Loyal guests often come back and book outside the platform, saving you the Sykes commission (just be sure to follow their rules for repeats—don’t poach brand new enquiries). This way you make a fairer profit while still using Sykes cottages for filling gaps. Every pound you save or earn makes a difference.