tricky agent fee issue -- need help!

[gcharusa]

Hi,

I need some advice on agent fee.

I found a room in a condo sharing with another tenant through an agent. I like the room and would like to take it.

I was able to contact him directly (since he also posted on one of the free website). I wanted to bypass the agent to save on the fees.

Now the main tenant is concerned that he will get into trouble with the Singapore law since I first found the place through the agent.

Would he get into trouble? I don't think so, right?

Please let me know.

[sundaymorningstaple]

Generally, the first contact wins. The general rule here is first past the post. The fact that you contacted the agent initially, puts the onus on you to prove otherwise. Fact. you would not have contacted the agent had you found the advert first. Yes he could get into trouble legally as the agent was acting on behalf of the landlord and therefore any subsequent attempts to defraud the agent of his due commission is trying to subvert the law.

[ksl]

if you found it through the agent, agent fee must be paid. There is an obvious risk put onto the tenant, easy to resolve pay the fee.

[durain]

if everyone bypass the agent, then how the agent gonna feed his family?

[Saint]

You're the kind of person who give us expats a bad name in Singapore amongst the locals.

Pay the agent what he/she is due or find another room without wasting someones time and effort.

[gcharusa]

well let me set the record straight

1) I saw the ad posted by the owner online before. However, owner just didn't reply to my email that day. So technically it's not that the agent found me the place first.

2) When I contact the agent, I did not know that it's the same unit in the building since price posted is quite different. There was not picture so I assume it's a different unit I am seeing.

3) Most importantly, the agent didn't even show up since he's said busy. He only told me to go the building and meet the owner. This is the only place that he connected me with.

4) Am I not crazy to pay the greedy agent $2.2K when he only did a 5 min of phone call? This guy was rude on the phone anyway.

5) Lastly, call me an ignorant American. In the US i am not used to paying agent fee for renting.

6) I don't know if the agent will get a commission from the owner as well. In any case, I don't consider this a 'fair' way of making a living by an agent.

7) Finally, this is an internet age. Most real estate agents should become extinct anyway, especially the rude ones that don't do a good job.

[Saint]

That makes it so much clearer as all you said in your first posting was

Now the main tenant is concerned that he will get into trouble with the Singapore law since I first found the place through the agent.

I think we all naturally assumed you had probably met the agent and he had introduced/show you the room. I also assumed you had subsequently found the tenant online advertisement and decided to go direct.

Sorry, but that's how I read you original posting.

However, having read the full story, it's obvious the agent wouldn't know you from Adam. Just tell the agent the the place wasn't quite right for you and thanks for all your hard work. Then do the deal directly with the tenant

[durain]

i take my bit back as well.

but on your point 5) this is the norm to pay the agent a fees for rental in singapore. when you are in singapore, it's a whole new ball game.

[sundaymorningstaple]

I don't take back anything as what I said still holds as first past the post usually takes precedence here in Singapore.

[ravechicsg]

The fact that the agent did not showed up and let you view the flat on your own directly meeting the landlord is not right, the fact that he is rude to you on the phone is also not right. But since you have gotten this lead from him which in turn leads you to this landlord, it is right that you pay him a commission. I would suggest negotiating on the commission in this case due to the inefficient service provided.

[johnnychancc]

Maybe you will like to highlight others to be beware of this unprofessional agent.