Pass the Keys
| Industry | Short term rental property management |
|---|---|
| Founded | May 15, 2015 in London, United Kingdom |
| Founder | Alexander Lyakhotskiy |
| Headquarters | London , United Kingdom |
Area served | United Kingdom and Spain |
| Website | www |
| Part of a series on |
| Homestays |
|---|
| Hospitality exchange services |
| Hospitality for work |
| Hospitality for money |
| Home exchange and others |
Pass the Keys is a British short-term rental property management company operating in the United Kingdom and Spain. It operates a franchise model, providing technology and services to local partners who manage properties on behalf of owners.[1] The company's platform allows property owners to list their homes on various booking websites, including Airbnb and Booking.com [2]
History
Pass the Keys was founded in 2015 by Alexander Lyakhotskiy in London. The company initially operated as a property management service before developing its proprietary technology platform.[3]
In 2019, Pass the Keys shifted to a franchise business model to accelerate its growth across the UK.[3] This model allows independent local partners to operate under the Pass the Keys brand, providing a localised service in their respective territories[4]
In 2020, the company secured over £1 million in a crowdfunding round on the Seedrs platform. The funding was used to expand its franchise programme and invest in product development.[5]
In 2021, the company won the New Franchisor of the Year and Best Technology and Innovation awards at the Virtual Franchising Awards .[6] It was named a finalist for British Franchise Association Emerging Franchisor of the Year in 2023,[7] and it was again recognised at the Virtual Franchising Awards winning Franchisor of the Year.[3] The company was recognised as a Top 100 Franchise by Elite Franchise Magazine in 2025.[3]
The company began its international expansion by opening franchises in Spain from 2023.[8]
Services
Pass the Keys operates as a franchisor in the short-letting industry. Its business model is based on providing a "hassle-fee" management service to property owners.[9] This includes:
- Listing and Marketing: The company lists and manages properties on various platforms such as Airbnb, Booking.com, Vrbo, and its own direct booking website, book.passthekeys.com.[9]
- Dynamic Pricing: A proprietary technology platform is used to optimise nightly rates based on real-time market data to maximise revenues[9]
- Guest Management: This involves guest vetting, 24/7 guest support, and handling check-ins and check-outs.[10]
- Property Maintenance: Local partners arrange professional cleaning, laundry, and general maintenance for the properties.[10]
References
- ↑ Karantzavelou, Vicky (24 September 2025). "Pass the Keys adopts management franchise model to scale short-term rental operations". Travel Daily News International. Retrieved 17 October 2025.
- ↑ "How Pass the Keys empowers entrepreneurs in the short-term rental market". Elite Franchise. 19 May 2024. Retrieved 8 October 2025.
- 1 2 3 4 "Celebrating 10 Years of Innovation and Growth". Total Franchise. 23 April 2025. Retrieved 8 October 2025.
- ↑ Stevens, Paul (31 May 2019). "Pass the Keys grows due to partnership programme". Short Term Rentalz. Retrieved 8 October 2025.
- ↑ Stevens, Paul (4 September 2020). "Pass the Keys crowdfunding round surpasses £1m". Short Term Rentalz. Retrieved 8 October 2025.
- ↑ Stevens, Paul (5 May 2021). "Pass The Keys recognised at Virtual Franchising Awards". Short Term Rentalz. Retrieved 8 October 2025.
- ↑ "100 of the best – the franchise industry comes together to celebrate". the BFA. British Franchise Association. 24 March 2023. Retrieved 8 October 2025.
- ↑ "Pass the Keys – Transforming property management". Elite Franchise Magazine. 2024-02-13. Retrieved 8 October 2025.
- 1 2 3 Nanrah, Gurjeet (22 August 2021). "Couple to make most of "hassle-free" Nottingham staycations with new company". NottinghamshireLive. Reach PLC. Retrieved 17 October 2025.
- 1 2 Bailes, Kathy (5 January 2024). "Friends take over Thanet holiday-let management franchise". The Isle of Thanet News. Retrieved 17 October 2025.