Agent fee

[KY]

Hi guys,

We've been in Singapore for almost a year now and are thinking of renewing our contract for the flat.

What I need to know is, since we are going to extend the contract by another year, do we have to pay the agent fee again? If thats the case, I'd rather look for a new place.

Would appreciate any info regarding this.

Thanks in advance.
KY

[Scorpion]

Hi, mostly the case depends upon whether you are renewing directly with your owner just as an extension. in this case there will be no need of any agent feez to be paid.

If the owner wishes to proceed through an agent to avoid legal complications, then you need to pay the agent feez or can negot with them.

cheerz.

[KY]

Hi Scorpion,

Thanks for replying.....the thing is, our landlord and agent are friends, and most times when there's something that I need to check with the owner, the agent replies back on his behalf. We have 3 months till the contract expires, and don't know whether we should be checking with the owner about the extension or the agent, coz in all probability he would go thru the agent.

Just wanted to know if the agent takes the fee again....as in, is that the norm out here??

Thanks again.

KY

[Scorpion]

Yup, as you mentioned most owners avoid trouble dealing with the tenats directly.

Before speaking with your agent, confirm with your owner whether he is agreeable on the extension (never take things for granted ). then request that you are not willing to pay the agent fee for the 1year extension. If doesnt accepts, then try to bargain down by 50%.. With is reply you can proceed further.

Basically for the extension, the owner aswell as the tenant need to pay the agent fee as they take care of all the legal activity inclusive of reg with housing board etc. But for information, most people tend to skip it up.

[yoongf]

I thot the agent fee is paid for by the landlord. How is it that the tenant has to pay the agent? If the agent is working for the landlord, the landlord shd absorb the fee.

[Scorpion]

I thot the agent fee is paid for by the landlord. How is it that the tenant has to pay the agent? If the agent is working for the landlord, the landlord shd absorb the fee.

Agent feez from the owner side is to find a tenant and viceversa.

Some times there can be 2 agents involved in the transaction or if he owns both the owner and tenant then he is considered lucky

cheers

[KY]

Thanks a lot....going to check with the owner over the weekend and hope he decides against the agent....

Have a nice day!!!
KY

[mumbaigirl]

Hi KY,

This is subject to negotiation. You should be able to refuse to pay to the landlord's agent. We learnt the hard way, when I saw the website, but by then I had already paid my share of commission.

http://www.iea.org.sg/trial_001/client/ ... (2004).pdf

2.3. Rental (All types of properties except HDB Flats and Rooms)
Party Commission / Fee Payable to Agency
Landlord One (1) month's gross rental for lease between 12 months to 24 months,
and an additional one half (1/2) a month's gross rental for every
subsequent 12 months' lease or less.
One half (1/2) of a month's gross rental for less than 12 month’s lease.
Tenant One half (1/2) of a month's gross rental (for cases where the gross
monthly rental is $2,500 or less)
2.3.1. An Agency shall not accept any commission / fee from both the Landlord and
Tenant in the same transaction without the prior knowledge or consent of the Landlord
and Tenant of the transaction.

mumbaigirl

[ringo100]

It is totally criminal that the tenant pays a cent in commission. The Agent acts for the landlord. Only place I know with such a rip-off system.

[Pal]

It is totally criminal that the tenant pays a cent in commission. The Agent acts for the landlord. Only place I know with such a rip-off system.

Most of the time, there are 2 agents involved. 1 for the landlord and 1 for the tenant.

[ringo100]

If I employeed an agent I would be happy to pay them, but what think it terrible that the tenant ends up paying the landlords agent; and for no service at all. I can never understand why a tenant would need an agent, if the landlords agent was doing his job properly.
g

[KY]

Hi all,

Thanks for replying in. Checked with our landlord abt agent fee, and he told us he'd call us back. When he does call the next day, he says, 'i went home and checked the agreement, and it says if we are renewing, we have to pay agent'. Duh!!!

So what do we do?? Try and negotiate, coz he's pretty much adamant about using the agent, who happens to be a close friend too. Am confused!

KY

[ringo100]

I would tell him if he wants to employ an agent he should pay for it.

[Scorpion]

If I employeed an agent I would be happy to pay them, but what think it terrible that the tenant ends up paying the landlords agent; and for no service at all. I can never understand why a tenant would need an agent, if the landlords agent was doing his job properly.
g

Halo, this is followed up in many country. while as a tenant i cannot go and look for the house avail arnd and so cannot the owner and to fill in this gap agentz r required some do it has a business and some in part-time in linking both the tenant and owner and they also take care of all the legal documents if any needed

Some of the agent i have come cross in singapore till now are quiet reasonable, they dont charge or argue when i extend the conseq year directly with the owner. So it depends upon the owner also whether u need to pay

Agentz are in various form in all kind of business. Most of them in business mode can be called as retailers or whole sale agents.

cheers

[Scorpion]

Hi all,

Thanks for replying in. Checked with our landlord abt agent fee, and he told us he'd call us back. When he does call the next day, he says, 'i went home and checked the agreement, and it says if we are renewing, we have to pay agent'. Duh!!!

So what do we do?? Try and negotiate, because he's pretty much adamant about using the agent, who happens to be a close friend too. Am confused!

KY

Hmmm. the owner has defence back. now itz up to u get into act. if u like the house and location convinent then u have to live with what thy demand.

If feel you can get a better place, anyway if you are going to pay to the same agent why not other??.

But first try to speak with the agent directly and consult him.

thz comments from my part. cheers .