Property agent does not show up, still asking for commission

[newaisa]

Hello,

Recently I posted my property for rental online, indicating direct owner and not budgeted for agent commission, indirectly gives tenant more affordability. During viewing I usually schedule more than one potentials for viewing, and eventually closed deal with a tenant.

However, agent approached me and demanded for commission. This particular tenant contacted me through Carousell and agent told me the same tenant contacted him as well. In my opinion this agent really doesn't deserve hefty 1 month commission for reasons:

1. Agent did not show up during viewing, there are 2 families viewing, both contacted me through my direct owner listing
2. Agent Whatsapp me, but did not show up during viewing. There is no specific info which tenant is even through him
3. Owner did all the lease agreement, preparation of contract, onboarding tenant... while agent is MIA

In this case, does the agent have any legal recourse? I seriously don't think there is, at the same time, looking for some feedback what is the right thing to do

Thanks

[Lisafuller]

Hello,

Recently I posted my property for rental online, indicating direct owner and not budgeted for agent commission, indirectly gives tenant more affordability. During viewing I usually schedule more than one potentials for viewing, and eventually closed deal with a tenant.

However, agent approached me and demanded for commission. This particular tenant contacted me through Carousell and agent told me the same tenant contacted him as well. In my opinion this agent really doesn't deserve hefty 1 month commission for reasons:

1. Agent did not show up during viewing, there are 2 families viewing, both contacted me through my direct owner listing
2. Agent Whatsapp me, but did not show up during viewing. There is no specific info which tenant is even through him
3. Owner did all the lease agreement, preparation of contract, onboarding tenant... while agent is MIA

In this case, does the agent have any legal recourse? I seriously don't think there is, at the same time, looking for some feedback what is the right thing to do

Thanks

Absolutely not. You owe the agent nothing.

[x9200]

Hello,

Recently I posted my property for rental online, indicating direct owner and not budgeted for agent commission, indirectly gives tenant more affordability. During viewing I usually schedule more than one potentials for viewing, and eventually closed deal with a tenant.

However, agent approached me and demanded for commission. This particular tenant contacted me through Carousell and agent told me the same tenant contacted him as well. In my opinion this agent really doesn't deserve hefty 1 month commission for reasons:

1. Agent did not show up during viewing, there are 2 families viewing, both contacted me through my direct owner listing
2. Agent Whatsapp me, but did not show up during viewing. There is no specific info which tenant is even through him
3. Owner did all the lease agreement, preparation of contract, onboarding tenant... while agent is MIA

In this case, does the agent have any legal recourse? I seriously don't think there is, at the same time, looking for some feedback what is the right thing to do

Thanks

You owe the agent nothing. You have neither formal nor informal agreement with the agent, he has done no job for you. His demands are completely baseless*. Should he still bother you threaten to inform CEA about his conduct.

*) unless the T&C of the place you posted included some related clause? But then why to allow you to mark it as "direct"?

[abbby]

You owe the agent nothing. There was no initial agreement that you would pay him/her whatsoever, and the tenant came directly to you.

Also, beware of scammers.

[Lisafuller]

You owe the agent nothing. There was no initial agreement that you would pay him/her whatsoever, and the tenant came directly to you.

Also, beware of scammers.

Scammer agents would be pretty hard to find as they are all registered with the CEA and you can check their number easily.

[Lisafuller]

Hello,

Recently I posted my property for rental online, indicating direct owner and not budgeted for agent commission, indirectly gives tenant more affordability. During viewing I usually schedule more than one potentials for viewing, and eventually closed deal with a tenant.

However, agent approached me and demanded for commission. This particular tenant contacted me through Carousell and agent told me the same tenant contacted him as well. In my opinion this agent really doesn't deserve hefty 1 month commission for reasons:

1. Agent did not show up during viewing, there are 2 families viewing, both contacted me through my direct owner listing
2. Agent Whatsapp me, but did not show up during viewing. There is no specific info which tenant is even through him
3. Owner did all the lease agreement, preparation of contract, onboarding tenant... while agent is MIA

In this case, does the agent have any legal recourse? I seriously don't think there is, at the same time, looking for some feedback what is the right thing to do

Thanks

You owe the agent nothing. You have neither formal nor informal agreement with the agent, he has done no job for you. His demands are completely baseless*. Should he still bother you threaten to inform CEA about his conduct.

*) unless the T&C of the place you posted included some related clause? But then why to allow you to mark it as "direct"?

Does CEA take action? I doubt it. But to be fair, I don't see how things will get to that point as the agent has no place to ask for anything.

[x9200]

I think they may. All depends what the agent does. If this is just sending some demand letters once every two weeks, then unlikely but I would not rule that out. But if this is more frequent so it becomes real nuisance it may IMO amount even to some criminal offense. And as usual there is grey area in between. CEA should ensure the agents adhere to the Code of Ethics & Professional Client Care. From what the OP described it looks the agent should be aware he has no ground for his demands and this does not exactly fit the said code leaving aside if his conduct is more aggressive.

[Lisafuller]

What kind of action could they even take? A fine? Temporary license suspension? Still feels like a slap on the wrist.

[x9200]

For anything minor, perhaps just warning. But it likely stays in the records so if such demands are some common practice of the agent it may lead to something more serious. If major, I think they demonstrated in past they can be pretty active and effective.

https://www.cea.gov.sg/professionals/co ... nary-cases

[abbby]

Maybe you say extortion..LOL

[Lisafuller]

Maybe you say extortion..LOL

This would be past CEA jurisdiction

[Lisafuller]

For anything minor, perhaps just warning. But it likely stays in the records so if such demands are some common practice of the agent it may lead to something more serious. If major, I think they demonstrated in past they can be pretty active and effective.

https://www.cea.gov.sg/professionals/co ... nary-cases

It appears that there were only 11 cases last year, so clearly they aren't clamping down too hard, either that, or there just aren't that many incidents.

[x9200]

I think not everything is worth a full blown investigation and court-like proceedings with hefty fines imposed. I suspect they may still take some action in more minor cases. Besides, making the agents aware they actually can face disciplinary action often does the job.

[Lisafuller]

That's true, even if the bark is worse than the bite, the bark is usually enough for locals.