Property agent fees

[Richleeson]

Hi,
My rental contract renewal is due soon, im renewing with exactly the same terms but the agent wants me to pay him 1/2 months rent as a renewal fee and i dont understand why, is this normal?
Am i supposed to pay him $1500+gst just to renew an identical contract for 1 year!?
Sounds ridiculous

[x9200]

It happens pretty frequently. Check your TA, you should have a specific clause covering it somewhere at the end of the document. If not, tell the agent to *beep*.

[x9200]

I had one in my current TA but I did not agree to it and it was removed.

[AngMoG]

Just make sure the agent is only representing you, and not the owner as well. If there is only one agent in the picture, normally it should be the owner paying him. With two agents, one will be the owner's and one the tenant's, and both have to be paid by the respective party.

There is also a transition scam though, wherein the previously double-dipping agent got a second agent from the same agency who doesn't do anything, but on paper represents the owner (for example). That is a somewhat gray area, and depends on you what you would want to do about it (including moving).

If it really is your agent, then you have to pay him the 1/2 monthly rent per year for renewal.

[taxico]

angmohg is right. make sure you get a receipt too, and don't get gst slapped on - not on the contract i assume, so don't pay a dime more.

make sure he gets everything sorted out for you - new contract, stamping, running around, etc. you ARE paying for his service.

new contract must have a few things changed (renewal, exit/diplomatic clause, etc).