Navigating real estate agent rental commission trends: What every new agent should know

Earning income as a real estate agent typically comes in the form of commissions. It’s true for homes sold and properties leased. Understanding real estate agent rental commission is critical as you begin your career.

Agent commission on rentals varies depending on many factors. As interest rates remain high and the rental market continues to be in high demand. However, you deserve compensation for securing reliable, qualified tenants.

You pre-negotiate commissions as a percentage of or flat fee on the rental deals you close. It covers your investment of time, services, and expertise.

For insight into real estate rental commissions, we’ve developed this guide that includes everything you need to know.

What is a commission?

Commissions are how agents earn income based on deals they close. When agents facilitate a real estate transaction, they receive a real estate agent fee for their services, known as a “real estate commission.”

Commissions differ between home sales and rental properties.

In home sales, commission is typically a percentage of the final sale price. It’s split between the buyer's agent and the seller's agent.

The commission compensates the agent for various tasks, including property valuation, market analysis, negotiation, and ensuring a smooth transaction process from start to finish.

For rental transactions, commission structures are different. In some cases, the agent's fee is a percentage of the annual rental amount, typically ranging from2.5% to 15% of the yearly rent.

Other options are a percentage of the total lease value or a flat fee.

How do agents get commission on rentals?

There are several commission models introduced above. Let’s look at these more closely with examples.

Percentage-based commissions

Percentages are the most common structure for rental commission for agents. It could be a percentage of one year’s rent or the total lease value if it's for multiple years.

If the annual rent is $24,000, and your commission rate is 7%, the formula would be $24,000 x 0.07, which equals $1,680.

Flat fees

Another option is a flat fee, usually equal to the first month’s rent. There may be other flat fee options that you work out with a property owner if you’re managing a large portfolio of properties.

In addition to commissions, you may also be able to generate additional income as a property manager for landlords.

Who pays the real estate agent rental commission?

In most cases, the landlord is paying you a commission. However, some markets have rules and regulations where the tenant, rather than the landlord, pays a portion of the agent's fee.

Another scenario would be if you’re only representing the renters. You find the property and work out all the details in exchange for a negotiated fee. This could be advantageous for newagents and may accelerate the payment.

Agent rental commission fees: Understanding included services

Agents are paid a commission fee for their services, which can include any or all of the following:

• Conducting market analysis
• Promoting the property
• Inspecting the property and advising of repairs needed
• Negotiating lease terms with tenants
• Preparing leases and other documents
• Providing guidance to the landlord on setting competitive rental rates
• Discussing necessary improvements to attract tenants
• Arranging and participating in property/rental showings
• Collecting applications and deposit checks from potential renters
• Evaluating applicants' credit, references, and employment/income sources, and presenting the compiled information to the landlord

What happens to an agent’s commission if a deal falls through?

In home sales, there are unique scenarios where a seller may still be obligated to pay the broker's commission even if the sale doesn’t close. While these situations are rare, they can arise if the seller:

• Changes their mind and refuses to sell.
• Encounters complications with a spouse unwilling to sign the deed (if that spouse initially signed the listing agreement).
• Faces title issues left uncorrected.
• Engages in fraudulent activities related to the transaction.
• Cannot deliver possession to the buyer within a reasonable timeframe.
• Insists on terms not specified in the listing agreement.
• Mutually agrees with the buyer to cancel the transaction.

For rentals, the commission is usually lost if the deal falls through. If the landlord is the reason, there may be some grounds for compensation, depending on your contract or agreement with them.

Recent commission lawsuits

Several commission-related lawsuits are impacting earnings and the overall dynamics of real estate transactions.

The most prominent of those was the settlement by the National Association of Realtors (NAR). The organization reached an agreement with plaintiffs regarding properties for sale on a Multiple Listing Service (MLS). Plaintiffs claimed that NAR’s compensation rules forced sellers to pay the commission of the buyer’s agent. NAR agreed to pay $418 million in damages and will change commission rules.Agents who use and list properties on an MLS must enter into written agreements regarding commissions. NAR has provided information about what the settlement means and the new guidelines going forward, which went into effect on August 17, 2024.Overall, the rules encourage more negotiation and transparency.

Trends in real estate agent rental commissions

With the digitization of rental transactions, new trends are emerging regarding commission for rental property. By using technology, you can automate and streamline a lot of the work of qualifying andscreening tenants.As a result, your overall time and effort investment may be less, allowing you to scale. You can increase efficiency, which may allow you to negotiate flat rates or percentages with property owners. Demonstrating how productive and effective you can be could enable you to win all the business from that client.Another trend comes from the changing expectations of property owners. They want to maximize their income but also recognize they need an expert to assist with filling rentals that have lower demand. In that case, your rental commission may be a hybrid model. It could be higher for those properties in that category and lower for those that have many applicants.

Adapting to economic changes: Commissions during downturns

One factor you can’t control that impacts commissions is the economy. It’s unique for every market, and there’s always uncertainty. In 2024, the economy grew, unemployment stayed low, and consumer confidence was mostly positive. However, inflation still kept many consumers from feeling financially stable.The 2025 economic picture is yet to be determined. Ultimately, the demand for housing will always be high. Housing and rental prices could decrease in a downturn, which would likely cause lower commissions.Some strategies to prepare for such times include:

• Increasing your networking opportunities to build relationships and find clients.
• Keeping current clients updated about new properties hitting the market for sale or rent.
• Monitoring local economic trends and their impact so you can educate clients.
• Offering to do more property management administration for landlords to diversify income.
• Focusing on niche markets like luxury, urban, or rural properties.

The future of real estate agent rental commissions

As the industry evolves, so will commissions. Several factors will play a role in the future. Changing regulations and the impact of litigation may limit the amount you can charge for commissions. They also open up the opportunity for more transparency, which can be a positive for all parties and their expectations.

Consumer behavior will affect agent commission on rentals. More people are moving than ever based on trends like remote work.Analysis of the U.S. Census Bureau migration numbers revealed that major metro areas lost about 1.92 million residents, while the regions outside gained 3.84 million people. Depending on the popularity of your region, this could be good for business or negatively impact it.

Younger generations are now looking for rentals and have different priorities and expectations. Many will forego their wish lists on size, amenities, and location for greater affordability. Currently,Gen Z is the group driving the most rental demand, so you’ll have to adapt to their preferences and motivations.

Finally, technology innovation is part of the future of commissions. Streamlining and automating processes increases efficiency and speed in the process. With these gains, new commission structures that are more a la carte versus percentage or flat fees may emerge. The infusion of artificial intelligence (AI) in technology platforms could disrupt the current norms of the entire leasing process. This could provide you with an easier analysis of comps and historical data to deliver data-driven pricing for units.

Optimizing rental commissions with RentSpree’s calculator

Understanding real estate commissions is foundational for new agents aiming to build successful and sustainable careers. RentSpree's commissions calculator makes it easy to navigate the intricacies of commission structures, enabling agents to quickly assess compensation by inputting property details and commission rates.

Our calculator aids in financial planning and empowers you to negotiate confidently, setting realistic expectations for yourself and your clients.
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