How much do REALTORS® charge to help renters find a rental?

For real estate agents who manage rentals, finding the perfect one for clients can be a balancing act. Part of this is determining how much REALTORS® should charge to find a rental. It requires time, expenses, and lots of tasks, so you should receive compensation accordingly.

Setting the right fee structure reflects your value and helps you remain competitive in the market. In this guide, we’ll help you determine what to charge, discuss industry standards, and provide tips on effectively communicating this.

How much do REALTORS® cost? Included services

Before diving into the details about how much REALTOR® fees are for rentals, let’s look at the services customers pay for. These typically include:

• Marketing the rental property
• Advising the landlord on rent estimates
• Assessing the current rental market conditions to find options that meet your client's needs
• Conducting property searches based on your client's criteria
• Arranging and conducting property viewings and tours for clients
• Following up with prospective tenants
• Managing tenant screening to create a shortlist of the best candidates for your landlord client
• Assisting with lease terms and rental rate negotiations
• Guiding clients through the rental agreement and paperwork process
• Facilitating rent payment collection and key handoffs
• Providing ongoing support and advice post move-in

Who pays the REALTOR® fee for a rental?

The responsibility for paying the REALTORS® fee can vary. It depends on the location of the property, the agreement between the parties, and the standard practices within the real estate market of a particular area. For a better understanding, let’s take a look at these common scenarios.

Tenant pays the fee

In many high-demand rental markets, especially in major urban areas like New York City and San Francisco, the tenant usually pays the REALTOR® fee.

Landlord pays the fee

A landlord may cover the REALTOR® fee in less competitive markets to attract quality tenants quickly or minimize vacancy periods. This can also benefit landlords since it can lead to better tenant retention.

How much do REALTORS® charge to find a rental?

While real estate commissions are almost always negotiable, they typically adhere to industry standards. Here are the most commonly used practices to decide how much to charge renters when helping them find their next home.

1. Percentage of annual rent

One method is to charge a percentage of the annual rent. Although this percentage can vary, it typically ranges from 10% to 15% of the first year's rent. For instance, if the annual rent is $24,000 ($2,000 per month), a 10% fee would be $2,400.

2. One month's rent

In many markets across the U.S., it’s standard for real estate agents to charge the equivalent of one month's rent as their fee. This straightforward approach makes it easy for clients to understand and budget for the final move-in cost.

3. Flat fee

Other professionals prefer to charge a flat fee for their services, which can be beneficial in providing clarity and consistency, especially for clients wary of percentage-based charges. Depending on the services and the market conditions, flat fees can range from a few hundred dollars to several thousand.

4. Hourly rate

Although charging an hourly rate for your time is rare, it can be ideal for clients who need limited or specific services, such as negotiation assistance or lease review. Hourly rates can range between $50 to $200 per hour, depending on your experience and the services provided.

Communicating your fees effectively

Once you’ve determined your fee structure, communicate it clearly and confidently to potential clients. Here are some tips:

1. Transparency

Be upfront about your fees from the outset. Use a written agreement to outline the included services and any additional costs that might arise. This ensures clarity and legally protects both you and your client.

2. Value proposition

Highlight your market knowledge, negotiation skills, and the time you save clients by handling the entire rental process. Consider sharing success stories and testimonials from past clients to build trust and demonstrate the value of your services.

3. Flexibility

Flexibility can sometimes be the key to securing a client. Be open to discussing your fees and possibly adjusting them based on the client’s needs and budget.

How to set competitive rates

To ensure your rates are in line with your competition, follow these pointers.

1. Market research

Regularly research what others in your area are charging for similar services. Staying competitive is crucial, but you want to ensure your rates reflect your services' quality and scope.

2. Evaluating your costs

Think about your business expenses, such as marketing, transportation, and administrative costs. Does your fee cover these expenses and also provide a reasonable profit margin?

3. Adjusting for experience

As you gain more experience and build a stronger reputation, don’t hesitate to increase your fees accordingly. Experienced Realtors offer more value and can justify higher rates.

4. Specializing

Consider focusing on a particular niche, such as luxury rentals or corporate relocations. Concentrating on a niche allows you to charge higher fees due to the specialized knowledge and services you provide.

Factors affecting REALTOR® fees for rentals

When considering rates for rentals, several factors impact what you charge. Those include:

• Market conditions: Highly competitive markets may warrant higher fees.
• Services you provide: Not every renter will need the full suite of services. Your pricing will vary depending on your efforts.
• Location: Where the property sits could influence fees. Some cities and states limit what you can charge. For example, California has limits on costs for rental applications and screening.
• Experience level: Seasoned real estate agents with lots of experience may have the right to set rates higher than those new to the industry.
• Property type: High-end or luxury rentals could command a higher rate because of the additional steps required in this specialized market.

Pros and cons of hiring a REALTOR® as a renter

Why might a tenant want to work with you? Renters will, of course, first consider how much REALTORS® charge to find a rental. There are other components, some of which are pros, and others may be cons.

Pros

Time savings

Opting to work with a REALTOR® can save renters time. Many people have too much to manage with work and life. Hiring you takes this burden off their plate.

Navigating competitive markets

In a competitive, high-demand market, finding available properties that meet specific criteria can be challenging. With the help of a REALTOR®, renters can streamline the search process without worrying about finding and scheduling viewings.

Exclusive listings access

REALTORS® often have access to listings not available to the public or on popular rental websites. It enables renters to gain an edge in finding desirable properties before they’re advertised widely.

Negotiation expertise

When it comes to securing favorable rental terms, including lease duration, rent amount, and potential concessions, expert negotiation skills are handy. Renters can count on this when they work with a REALTOR®.

Support in the application process

Sometimes, the rental application process can be overwhelming for renters. A REALTOR® can provide step-by-step guidance for renters. This ensures they understand each part of the process and avoid common pitfalls.

Local market knowledge

A REALTOR® can provide insights into neighborhoods, amenities, and commuting options. With local market knowledge, renters can make more informed decisions about where to live. It’s especially beneficial for those relocating to unfamiliar areas.

Cons

While hiring a REALTOR® can be advantageous in many situations, there are some scenarios where a renter may decide to proceed without one.

Limited rental inventory

In markets with ample rental inventory and low competition, renters may easily find properties without needing a REALTOR®'s extensive search capability.

Familiarity with the local market

Renters familiar with the local rental market, including available listings, rental rates, and neighborhood dynamics, may not require additional guidance from a REALTOR®.

Simple rental needs

Renters with straightforward rental requirements, such as those looking for standard apartment leases in non-competitive markets, may find the services of a REALTOR® unnecessary.

Personal connections or referrals

Renters with personal connections or referrals to landlords or property managers may be able to secure rental opportunities without a REALTOR®.

Cost considerations

In some cases, how much REALTORS® cost may outweigh the benefits. Renters with tight budgets cannot afford more costs.

Strong DIY skills

Renters confident in managing the rental process independently, including conducting property searches, negotiating lease terms, and completing paperwork, may not require a REALTOR®.

Renters aren’t the only party that uses real estate agents. Landlords can benefit as well.

When a landlord may benefit from hiring a REALTOR®

A REALTOR® can be a valuable asset for a landlord, and here are some of the reasons why.

Professional marketing and exposure

In addition to having access to multiple listing services (MLS), a REALTOR® can also use other advertising platforms to maximize exposure. REALTORS® can create compelling listings with high-quality photos, detailed descriptions, and virtual tours. These activities can attract a larger pool of potential tenants and increase the chances of finding qualified tenants for landlords.

Tenant screening and selection

For many landlords, conducting tenant screening can be tedious, time-consuming, and stressful. REALTORS® can relieve that burden by conducting thorough background checks, including credit history, employment verification, and rental references for landlord clients.

Expert pricing and market knowledge

Attracting quality tenants and ensuring profitability for a rental property depends on strategic pricing. A REALTOR® brings in-depth knowledge of local rental markets to provide accurate, data-driven pricing recommendations for landlords.

Legal compliance

As a REALTOR®, one of your many responsibilities is to stay updated on local, state, and federal rental laws. Doing so ensures landlords avoid legal noncompliance and potential disputes such as eviction issues, discrimination claims, and lease violations.

Time and stress management

Managing a rental property isn’t easy, especially for landlords with multiple properties or those who live far from their rentals. A REALTOR® can help take on the day-to-day responsibilities of property management. You can handle inquiries, show the property, coordinate maintenance and repairs, and address tenant concerns.

Efficient handling of vacancies and turnovers

When a tenant decides to move out, turnover can be labor-intensive and costly. REALTORS® streamline this process by managing move-out inspections, organizing necessary repairs or cleaning, and marketing the property to new tenants.

Financial management and reporting

Many REALTORS® offer financial management services, including rent collection, accounting, and detailed financial reporting. By providing landlords with regular reports, you enable them to gain visibility of their rental income, expenses, and overall financial performance. These insights aid in informed decisions and identify opportunities for growth and improvement in their property investments.

Professional network access

REALTORS® have established relationships with contractors, inspectors, legal advisors, and financial planners. Landlords needing reliable services or expert advice will appreciate that you have a network of professionals.

Alternatives to using a REALTOR® for rentals

There are other ways to find rentals. The most obvious is that renters do all the searching and negotiating themselves. They’ll simply search online and reach out to the property owner or manager to inquire and go through the rental application process.

There are also lots of online platforms specially designed for renters to find their next home. Examples include Zillow, Apartments.com, and Rent.com. These sites, however, may not have all the listings available in a market and require lots of time for consumers. Fees could apply, especially for applications and screening.

FAQs about REALTOR® fees

Is it worth hiring a REALTOR® to find a rental?

There are many benefits to working with agents. They will consider how much REALTOR® fees are for rentals when making a decision. There will be other pros and cons, as described above, that weigh on this as well. Working with a REALTOR® saves renters time with fewer worries.

Do all REALTORS® charge the same fees?

No. Many factors determine how much REALTORS® charge to find rentals. It depends on location, market demand, regulations, experience level, and the services they provide.

Are REALTOR® fees negotiable?

The answer depends on the agent’s fee structure. What they charge varies, so each situation is unique. Renters can ask about this upfront to determine what may or may not be negotiable.

Simplify rentals with RentSpree

With RentSpree, you can streamline the rental application process, making it easier and more efficient for prospective tenants to apply online. Our platform provides integrated tenant screening services, including credit checks, background checks, and eviction history reports.

You’ll also have access to a centralized system for managing rental listings. You can showcase properties with detailed descriptions, photos, and virtual tours. This comprehensive approach saves time and enhances visibility. The results for you are attracting more renters and establishing yourself as a trusted professional.

See it for yourself here.

‍