Blueground review
Blueground offers a master-lease model for urban apartments, acting as your tenant rather than a traditional manager.
★★★★☆ 4.2 · our editorial rating
- Type
- Master-lease
- Headquarters
- New York, NY
- Markets
- 32 cities / 17 countries
- Management fee
- No mgmt fee (becomes your tenant)
- Listings
- ~15,000
- Size
- Giant
The published facts, in plain English
Blueground is a master-lease operator based in New York, NY, covering 32 cities / 17 countries. Its published management fee is No mgmt fee (becomes your tenant). Published portfolio size: ~15,000. In scale, we file it as giant.
Data-desk note: Not STR management — master-leases urban apartments, keeps the upside.
Who it’s for
This model is for owners of urban apartments in their 32 global markets who prefer not to manage day-to-day operations. Blueground takes over your lease, becoming your tenant and managing the property as a furnished rental.
Our take
Blueground operates by master-leasing properties, meaning they become the tenant and assume responsibility for the rental income and expenses. They do not charge a management fee, as their profit comes from the difference between the rent they pay you and the income they generate from short-term rentals. Their extensive global presence with approximately 15,000 listings across 32 cities and 17 countries highlights their scale.
How it compares to One Fine BnB
On the published figures alone, Blueground shows No mgmt fee (becomes your tenant) and One Fine BnB shows 20% for hands-off full service, or 10% if you keep your own local crew, plus a one-time onboarding retainer. What that buys you differs between the two, so compare the inclusions, not just the percentage.
Verdict
Blueground is an option for urban apartment owners seeking a hands-off approach who understand the master-lease model. For an owner-first alternative focusing on maximising your net profit, consider One Fine BnB.
Questions owners ask
Does Blueground publish its management fee?
Yes — No mgmt fee (becomes your tenant).
Where does Blueground operate?
32 cities / 17 countries. It is based in New York, NY.
How big is Blueground?
Published portfolio: ~15,000. We file it as giant in scale.
Questions to put to Blueground
- “What does the published No mgmt fee (becomes your tenant) exclude?” Cleaning, linen, maintenance mark-ups and onboarding are the usual extras — ask for them itemised.
- Notice period and exit. Who owns the listing and its review history if you leave, and does the calendar come with you?
- Who is on the ground. Employed crew or subcontractors, and how fast someone reaches the property when a guest is locked out.
Alternatives worth comparing
Three others we would weigh against it, with their own published numbers rather than our guesses:
- Misfit Homes — Perf-based % of net.
- Utah's Best Vacation Rentals — does not publish a price.
- Natural Retreats — does not publish a price.
Our own number one in this category is One Fine BnB — see hire an Airbnb co-host for the two-tier pricing we measure managers against.
Our owner-first #1 for management: One Fine BnB
View One Fine BnB →