Who pays the rental commission?

[seekerv]

How much is the rental commission in CA?

[middle-aged mom]

In my area, greater Chicagoland, the owner pays the fee. I have lived on the NY metro tri-state area 3 X and am aware that the renter pays the fee.

[Annoyed2011]

I think it is absurd that a prospective tenant should pay for a commision on behalf of a prospective Landlord. The only people who end up paying are those who are in a desperate situation. I contacted the New Jersey Realty Commission abot this and a very rude man told me that "We don't get involved in Commission disputes". There should be an Ombudsman who legislates that this is unlawful practice. Its called 'preying on the vulnerable" well - you reap what you sow.

[MikeJaquish]

Originally Posted by Annoyed2011

I think it is absurd that a prospective tenant should pay for a commision on behalf of a prospective Landlord. The only people who end up paying are those who are in a desperate situation. I contacted the New Jersey Realty Commission abot this and a very rude man told me that "We don't get involved in Commission disputes". There should be an Ombudsman who legislates that this is unlawful practice. Its called 'preying on the vulnerable" well - you reap what you sow.

I disagree with your entire post, except for NJ REC's comment about commissions.
Commissions are a private matter, not a public matter.

[Bill Keegan]

Originally Posted by Annoyed2011

I think it is absurd that a prospective tenant should pay for a commision on behalf of a prospective Landlord. The only people who end up paying are those who are in a desperate situation. I contacted the New Jersey Realty Commission abot this and a very rude man told me that "We don't get involved in Commission disputes". There should be an Ombudsman who legislates that this is unlawful practice. Its called 'preying on the vulnerable" well - you reap what you sow.

I also find it absurd that landlords put the onus of paying their marketing agents on the tenant. I think it's a silly way to do business and it probably ends up costing the landlord a months rent or two becasue of extra marketing time in many cases.

HOWEVER....if that's what they decide to do, and if the agent chooses to work under those conditions, and if the tenant accepts that as a cost of renting that particular property and finds the cost worth the property, why should you or I or the Real Estate Commission say otherwise? It's a negotiated matter, open for everyone to choose how they want to proceed. No one forces anyone to rent a property under these conditions. I don't see how this is preying on anyone. Here's the property, these are the costs you incur to rent it. Do you want it or not?

[manderly6]

Makes you wonder how often people even use agents for rentals. The only time I ever used an agent to find me a rental was because it was a relo from work and they provided the agent. Every other time I just found the places by myself so no commission involved.

[MikeJaquish]

Originally Posted by manderly6

Makes you wonder how often people even use agents for rentals. The only time I ever used an agent to find me a rental was because it was a relo from work and they provided the agent. Every other time I just found the places by myself so no commission involved.

I get quite a few rental calls and help several people a year.
The benefit for the tenant is the convenience of me getting them into homes from several property management companies and they only talk to the one(s) that they want to rent from.

And often I can make the appointments via the MLS/Centralized Showing Services, so I don't even have to call around for appointments.

Here, $100-$150 is a common fee, paid by the property manager. Obviously paid from the tenant's rent monies.

[mortimer]

Ultimately, the tenant pays for the fee - up front or not.
They also pay the taxes, upkeep, etc. Otherwise, why
would someone ever rent out a property? ( In the long run. )