By continuing you agree to eChinacities's Privacy Policy .
Sign up with Google
Sign up with Facebook
Q: What does the realtor/zhongjie actually do that merits me paying him/her a whole months rent?
I recently rented an apartment in Beijing for the first time, and was shocked to find out that in addition to a months rent for the deposit, and 6 months of rent paid in advance, that the realtor was expecting a months rent for his commission (unwilling to barter for a lower price).
What do these people do to merit that kind of money? is it possible to skip the middleman and sign directly with the landlord?
Nothing! It is such a racket. One time I went to an apartment with those property agents and then said I was not interested. I left but make note of where the apartment was.
I then returned and the owner was happy to work with me without the agent. Sometimes this doesn't work, but if you can avoid the agents do so at all costs!!
Realtors get paid for introducing clients to landlords, taking care of the agreements and documents and also "marketing".
They're not necessary, and often landlords will be more than willing to deal one on one because they also have to pay the realtor (usually the same price you have to pay them) so they also want to avoid it.
a months worth of rent? thats heavy...
i thought shanghai is expensive where it is a 35% of a months rent.
anyway, the only advantage you have is a proper contract from the agency. apart from that they will just lie to you anyway, tell u that this is the best and u wont have any troubles bla bla bla...
I have never had to pay a commission to a realtor for renting an apartment. They typically get their commission from the owner, not the rentor. If you have to pay the commission, you are getting ripped off.
Absolutely nothing, so do not pay it. Many will collect from the owner.
