In the modern real estate market, transactions between citizens are rarely concluded without the help of third parties.
Most contracts are drawn up through the mediation of real estate agencies , which resolve all organizational issues.
For such services, agencies charge a certain fee .
When looking for a residential property for the purpose of renting, it is important to clearly understand what a commission is when renting apartments , how many times it is paid and how it is calculated and paid.
What is a commission when renting an apartment?
A commission for renting an apartment is monetary compensation for services provided, which are within the competence of the realtor.
This remuneration is based on the work done to search and select the optimally suitable apartment option, as well as its subsequent showing, for assistance in drawing up an agreement, etc. In the process of searching for an acceptable housing option, the realtor must go through many options, agree on showing the housing with owner, check all the information about the owner of the apartment, demonstrate the premises to a potential tenant.
If the result is positive, the real estate agent prepares and draws up a lease agreement. This list of services requires payment of a commission fee.
Safety
The presence of such a number of real estate services on the market all over the world is not accidental. This means people need them.
They act as a kind of guarantors:
- When renting an apartment through an agent, the transaction will be safe. Agents have all the relevant information about the apartment for rent. You protect yourself from the danger of renting a seized apartment or an area that does not belong to the landlord.
- An official contract is drawn up with the person who owns this living space, and in case of disputes, you will have legal support. The contract also clearly states the duration of the rental property, which is also of no small importance.
Types of commission when renting an apartment
The commission for renting an apartment can be requested by the agency in one of two legal options - at an increased or reduced rate. What the commission amount will be depends on a number of factors.
Reduced
A reduced commission to the agent will be paid if the client has a document stating that he belongs to the category of low-income persons.
This benefit is optional and not available at all agencies. Most often, a reduced commission is paid when renting inexpensive housing that is not in great demand. This category does not include new buildings and premium housing. The reduced fee ranges from 30 to 50%.
Example. A student decides to rent an apartment in an old Khrushchev building, in an area remote from the center. This type of housing falls into a category that is not very popular. The final cost is determined at 3,000 rubles per month. As a result, the student must pay the realtor 30% of the cost, that is, 900 rubles. Payment is made only once.
Increased
An increased commission rate most often means that we are talking about an elite housing option.
You will have to pay a commission at a high rate if you decide to rent a prestigious residential property. The rental price, in this case, will be determined taking into account the established indicators of a given niche of the housing market. It can reach 100 percent of the rental price of the apartment.
Example. An aspiring businessman submits an application to the agency to search for luxury housing. As a result of the work done by the realtor, premium-level housing was found. Rent is estimated at 30,000 rubles per month. The owner of an apartment, who has been unable to rent it out for a long time, pays the agent of a real estate company a one-time payment of 30,000 rubles.
Dangerous ploy: They advertise an apartment without the owner’s consent
This is how photographs are obtained. The agent calls the owner who is renting out the apartment and says that he has a client and wants to look at the apartment this evening. Sometimes they say that there is a client, but first the agent will look at the apartment without him - supposedly to make sure that the apartment is suitable and not to show the client unsuitable options.
Already at the apartment, the agent says that he needs to take a photo to show the client. Or this is what a fake client says and argues that he wants to show his mother, wife or husband for advice. This is how the agent gets photographs. He advertises the apartment and waits for calls from real employers. When the client appears, he calls the owner and again asks for a viewing.
Who pays
The agency commission when renting an apartment is most often paid by the person renting the premises.
But there may be exceptions to this rule. For example, if we are talking about high-paying housing. Finding a tenant for such housing can be quite problematic, so the realtor who manages to find a tenant receives his commission from the owner of the apartment. There are situations when, by common agreement, the costs associated with the realtor's commission are borne by two parties - the homeowner and the new tenant.
Real owners
The “real owners” scheme is aimed at non-conflict people. After signing the documents, an indignant person appears on the threshold, introducing himself as the owner of the property and harshly demanding those present to leave the premises.
In this situation, you don’t need to get lost, but demand the documents of the person who appears. Unless this is a previous scheme, the “owner” will not have the documents. Just insist on a legal investigation of the situation and offer to call the police.
Commission amounts and payment procedure, option with 50%
The real estate agency commission can range from half to the full rental price, which is determined by the contract.
There is a term called “50% commission,” which refers to a one-time commission paid to an agent for services provided. A 100% commission fee is provided if the search for housing was carried out simultaneously by two realtors. Each of them will receive their share of the amount paid.
Example. An apartment for rent is paid monthly in the amount of 5,000 rubles. The tenant must pay a commission of 2,500 rubles to the agent. Payment must be made one time.
Is it possible to get my money back if there are problems?
The answer to this question is negative. The agency is responsible only for those services that it provided to the client.
Thus, if the realtor has fully completed his tasks, then it will not be possible to return the paid commission (if problems arise between the tenant and the landlord) for an apartment rented through an intermediary.
At the same time, under a rental agreement, claims can be brought against the other party in court.
Thus, involving a real estate agency in the procedure for renting (renting) an apartment can significantly speed up and simplify this process. At the same time, it is very important to choose a reliable and conscientious realtor.
Is it possible to rent an apartment without the services of a real estate agency?
It is quite possible to rent an apartment without the participation of a real estate agency, and therefore without any commission. This method will require more time to find a suitable option, but the obvious advantage will be the absence of costs associated with paying a realtor.
Searching for suitable housing on your own is usually done by viewing advertising newspapers and online resources. In order to find the treasured ad, you need attention and caution. After all, when looking for a rental privately, the risk that the deal may be concluded with scammers increases.
In this scenario, the deposit may be appropriated by a person who has nothing to do with the apartment allegedly rented by him.
The owner of a property rented without his knowledge may appear on the doorstep at the most unexpected moment for the unsuspecting tenants. The further course of events may have unpleasant consequences, including police proceedings.
Therefore, when conducting business on your own, you should pay attention to all the nuances associated with the landlord’s documents!
How the contract is concluded
Only a written contract guarantees that both parties are legally protected. What points should be considered in any situation?
- The date on which the agreement was signed.
- Accurate indication of details for both parties.
- The period for which the apartment is rented.
- Responsibility of each party in case of termination, including early termination.
- Rights that both the tenant and the other party have.
- Rent payment along with payment terms.
- The address where the apartment is for rent.
About the advantages and disadvantages of these types of transactions
There are always nuances when working with agents. Not only positive, but also negative. Everyone decides for themselves what is more.
Contacting realtors has the following advantages.
- Operational work, practical experience.
- Guarantee that the transaction will be safe. The rental price is fixed, contracts are concluded only for a certain period.
- There is less chance that the homeowner will be a scammer.
- There is a greater chance of finding exactly what suits you in all respects.
- Save time due to the availability of a wide information base.
But there are also small disadvantages.
- The deposit and rental price are almost always paid a month in advance.
- The need to pay additional commissions.
Do neighbors need consent for redevelopment? Sample document and instructions for drawing up at the link.
The help of realtors is an excellent option for those who have no experience in solving these issues. Or there is no time required to competently search for an answer.
About existing risks
There are always risks for buyers. Real estate agencies are no exception. Companies that only rent offices and do not register them as their property should be wary. Although such deception is quite rare in practice.
Documents for registration
In accordance with the legislative framework of the Russian Federation, renting any residential premises is possible on the basis of a rental agreement. In order for such an agreement to be drawn up, the following package of documents will be required:
Landlord . Identity document – passport or military ID. Certificate of ownership of the apartment - purchase and sale agreement, deed of donation, copy of the will. Documents of all persons living in the apartment that is supposed to be rented out.
The renting party. Passport. Documents for children, spouse. Lease agreement, if the housing is not privatized. A certificate from the housing department about the residents registered in the apartment and their written consent to rent out the apartment.
The realtor provides the original agreement, which contains a list of the services provided and the amount of the commission.
Dangerous ploy: they lure you into an auction
When demand for an apartment exceeds supply, an auction is held between those wishing to rent it. For example, when students come to the city before the school year in August and look for inexpensive housing to rent.
An agent lists an apartment at a low price in order to quickly find more potential tenants. Schedules viewings for everyone at the same time and starts bidding right during viewing. Clients are asked to name their price and sold to the highest bidder. So the price of an apartment is raised by several thousand rubles.
The largest auction I participated in was of 15 people. The largest I've heard of is out of 50.
Realtor's responsibility
The realtor is responsible for selecting the right housing option, drawing up an agreement, and checking information about who is the real owner of the rented space. As additional services, the real estate agency can enter into a separate agreement to find optimally suitable housing. Such a document gives the tenant the right, if something does not work out at the new place of residence, to contact the agency again with a request to find a more suitable option. If an agreement of this kind is concluded, you will not have to pay money for services a second time.
⇒ When renting housing, you should distinguish between the concepts of “commission” and “deposit or security deposit”. A commission is paid to the realtor, while the deposit is transferred to the homeowner.
What is a rental deposit
A rental deposit accompanies many rental transactions.
This deposit is also commonly called an insurance deposit. First of all, the owner of the apartment is interested in its registration, since the presence of such a document reduces the risks of property damage.
The concluded document states the obligation to compensate for losses associated with damage or theft of property. The tenant, as prescribed by this document, contributes a certain established amount as an insurance obligation.
Inspection of housing, inventory of property
It is better to inspect the home twice. The first time is an introductory one, which will let you understand what you are dealing with and whether the proposed housing conditions are suitable for you in principle. This can be done both during a personal visit and using 360 panoramas.
The second time is more thorough. During it, you and the owner will draw up an act of acceptance and transfer of property located in the apartment: furniture, appliances, fittings, plumbing, accessories, etc.
An inventory of property is often included with a security deposit. It represents the amount that is kept by the landlord for the entire period of the tenant's rent.
The insurance deposit is returned upon completion of contractual obligations, unless an insured event occurs: damage to property in the apartment, etc.
