Agent Commission for Rentals in Singapore is not fixed by law, but the market norm in 2026 is usually around half a month to one month’s rent depending on your lease length, rent amount, and whether you are a landlord or tenant using an agent.
Because commission is negotiable and practices are changing after new industry guidelines, both tenants and landlords in Singapore should clarify the rental agent fee and who pays it before signing any Letter of Intent (LOI) or Tenancy Agreement.
This FAQ is a focused cluster guide under Homejourney’s main tenancy rights pillar, designed to give you clear, step-by-step answers on agent commission rental issues. For a bigger-picture view of your rights and responsibilities as a tenant or landlord, you can also refer to our comprehensive tenancy pillar guide at .
What is the typical agent commission for rentals in Singapore?
In practice, the most common property agent commission pattern for residential rentals is:
• 1-year lease: about ½ month’s rent as commission
• 2-year lease: about 1 month’s rent as commission
This rule-of-thumb applies widely whether you are renting an HDB in Punggol or a city-fringe condo near Outram Park, but the exact rental agent fee is always negotiable and should be clearly recorded in your estate agency agreement.[1][3]
For example, if you are renting a 4-room HDB in Tampines for S$3,000/month on a 2-year lease, a typical landlord agent fee would be around S$3,000. For a one-year lease of a S$4,500/month Queenstown condo, a common landlord agent fee is about S$2,250.[1][3]
Homejourney encourages users to confirm these details early in the viewing process. On Property Search , you can filter rental listings and speak with verified agents who disclose their expected commission and representation clearly, so there are no surprises later.
Is rental agent commission in Singapore regulated by law?
No, there is no government-fixed rate for property agent commission in Singapore. The Council for Estate Agencies (CEA) does not set commission levels – they only regulate professional conduct and require transparency in estate agency agreements.[1][3][5]
Instead, commission is negotiated between you and your agent and must be clearly stated in the CEA-prescribed estate agency agreement that you sign before or at the time you engage the agent. This applies whether you are hiring a landlord’s agent or a tenant’s agent.[1][3][5]
Legal reminder: Commission disputes are usually treated as contractual issues. If serious disputes arise (for example, over unpaid commission), they may be resolved through negotiation, mediation, or civil proceedings, not through fixed statutory tables.
Who pays the agent commission – landlord or tenant?
Historically, the common pattern for agent commission rental in Singapore looked like this:[1][2][3][4]
- Landlord-only agent (no tenant agent): Landlord pays the landlord agent about ½ month’s rent per year of lease. Tenant usually does not pay commission.
- Two agents (co-broking): Landlord pays the landlord’s agent ~½ month per year, and that fee may be shared between landlord’s agent and tenant’s agent.
- Room rentals / lower rents: Either side may pay, often around ½–1 month’s rent, depending on who engaged which agent.
Since mid‑2024, however, industry practice has started shifting. The Singapore Estate Agents Association (SEAA) issued a Best Practice Guideline recommending that each agent should collect commission only from the party they represent – landlord agents from landlords, and tenant agents from tenants.[1][3]
This guideline is not law but many agencies now follow it, especially for units under S$6,000/month. As a tenant, this means you should be prepared that your tenant agent fee will likely be paid by you directly, instead of being secretly shared out of the landlord’s commission.[1]
Typical landlord agent fee vs tenant agent fee (with examples)
Here is how landlord agent fee and tenant agent fee commonly play out on the ground, based on recent market norms.[1][3][4]
Example 1: HDB 4-room in Punggol (S$3,000/month, 2-year lease)
- Market norm commission: 1 month’s rent ≈ S$3,000
- If only landlord’s agent: Landlord pays ~S$3,000. Tenant pays no commission.
- If both parties have agents and follow 2024 guideline: Landlord pays S$3,000 to landlord’s agent; tenant pays S$3,000 to tenant’s agent.
Insider tip: In estates like Punggol or Sengkang where a lot of similar HDB flats are available, some landlords accept a slightly lower commission (e.g. ½ month) if the unit is rented out within the first weekend of viewings. It never hurts to negotiate politely before signing.
Example 2: City-fringe condo in Queenstown (S$4,500/month, 1-year lease)
- Market norm commission: ½ month’s rent ≈ S$2,250
- Landlord-only agent: Landlord pays S$2,250 to landlord’s agent.
- With tenant’s agent: Tenant may pay S$2,250 to their agent; landlord pays a separate fee to their own agent.
At popular condos along the East-West Line, such as those near Queenstown or Buona Vista MRT, it is common for multiple offers to come in quickly. In a landlord’s market, landlords are less likely to reduce commission, but they may instead agree to small tenant requests (e.g. to paint the unit, service all aircon units, or replace older appliances).
Example 3: Common-room rental in Tampines (S$1,200/month, 1-year lease)
- Market norm commission: ~½–1 month’s rent (S$600–S$1,200)
- Either the landlord, tenant, or both may pay – this is the most variable segment of the market.[1][3]
For room rentals around Tampines MRT or near the Changi Business Park shuttle bus stops, tenants sometimes offer to pay a full month’s commission for exclusive use of a master bedroom or for shorter fixed leases of 6–12 months. Always have your agreed commission and inclusions (utilities, WiFi, cleaning) written clearly in the contract.
How to calculate your rental agent fee step-by-step
Use this simple framework whenever you are estimating your rental agent fee in Singapore.[1]
- Confirm monthly rent and lease length
Example: 3-room HDB in Bukit Merah at S$2,700/month, 2-year lease. - Apply the market norm
½ month per year of lease → 1 month ≈ S$2,700 total commission. - Check who is represented
Only landlord has an agent? Then landlord likely pays the S$2,700. Both sides have agents? Under new guidelines, each side should pay their own agent around S$2,700. - Confirm in writing
Ensure the agreed commission is stated in the estate agency agreement before you sign the LOI or Tenancy Agreement.
For investors planning to hold multiple rental units, it is wise to factor this recurring commission into your long-term yield calculations. You can use Homejourney’s Bank Rates page together with our Projects Directory insights to estimate net yields after financing costs and agent fees.
Key rights and responsibilities around agent commission
Although there is no special rental commission law, your rights and obligations flow from CEA regulations, your contract, and common law principles in Singapore.
For tenants
- You have the right to know exactly how much commission your tenant agent will charge and who is paying (you or the landlord) before engaging the agent.
- You should not pay any commission to an unregistered agent – always verify the CEA registration of your agent.
- If your agent has collected commission from you, they must act in your interest (e.g. highlight defects, negotiate terms, not hide competing units for their own gain).
- If you agreed to a commission in writing and your agent performs the agreed services, you are generally contractually bound to pay that fee.
For landlords
- You decide which services your landlord’s agent will provide – for example, marketing, viewings, tenancy screening, inventory, check-in, and end-of-tenancy inspection.
- You have the right to negotiate the landlord agent fee, especially for premium units with strong demand or repeat deals with the same agent.
- Once you agree to a commission in an estate agency agreement and your agent secures a tenant on the agreed terms, the commission is usually payable when the tenancy agreement is signed.
- If the deal falls through due to reasons outside your agent’s control (e.g. you withdraw after accepting the LOI), some agents may still seek compensation depending on your contract – read clauses carefully.
Common commission-related issues and how to handle them
1. Surprise tenant agent fee at LOI stage
Scenario: As a tenant, you are told at the LOI stage that you must pay 1 month’s tenant agent fee, even though nobody mentioned this earlier.
- What to do: Pause and clarify. Ask for a written breakdown of fees and justification. You are not obliged to sign if the terms differ from what you reasonably understood earlier.
- Prevention: Before your first viewing, ask your agent directly: “How much is your commission, and who is paying it?” Get this confirmed via WhatsApp or email.
2. Dispute over dual representation
Scenario: The same agent is handling both landlord and tenant and expects commission from both, or seems to favour one side.
- What to know: CEA discourages conflicts of interest and expects agents to declare their role clearly. Since 2024, industry guidelines increasingly favour single-agency (one party per agent).[1][3]
- What to do: If you feel unfairly represented, you can decline to proceed, or ask to engage your own agent. When in doubt, seek advice or consider mediation if a dispute has already occurred.
3. Commission and early termination
Scenario: The tenancy ends early, or the tenant is evicted. Can the landlord ask the agent to refund commission?
- General practice: Commission is usually earned once the tenancy is successfully secured and the tenancy agreement is signed. It is not automatically refunded if the tenancy ends early, unless expressly agreed in the contract.
- Practical tip: Landlords concerned about this can negotiate performance clauses (e.g. pro‑rated refund if tenancy ends within the first 6 months) before signing the estate agency agreement.
Disputes over commission amounts or services can sometimes be brought to the Small Claims Tribunals (for smaller sums) or resolved via the Community Mediation Centre, depending on the nature of the disagreement. This FAQ is general information only and is not legal advice; for complex disputes, you should seek advice from a qualified legal professional.
How Homejourney makes agent commission safer and more transparent
Homejourney is built around three priorities: safety, transparency, and trust. For rental transactions, this translates into several concrete safeguards:
- Verified agents and listings: Homejourney works only with properly registered agents, and we encourage full disclosure of property agent commission expectations upfront.
- Clear fee communication: Our agent profiles and rental listings increasingly specify whether a tenant agent fee is payable and under what conditions, so tenants can budget accurately.
- User feedback loop: We actively track user reviews and feedback. Agents who repeatedly surprise clients with hidden fees or unclear roles are flagged for review.
- Educational guides: Articles such as Agent Commission for Rentals in Singapore: Homejourney’s Transparent Guide , Agent Commission for Rentals in Singapore: Homejourney Cost Guide 2026 and Rental Agent Commission in Singapore: Common Mistakes Explained | Homejourney help you understand your rights and avoid costly misunderstandings.
If you are ready to rent your next home or list out your unit, explore quality rentals on Property Search (status pre-set to “For Rent”) and connect with trusted agents via . For landlords planning multiple properties, our Bank Rates and Projects Directory tools can help you build a safer, more sustainable investment plan.
FAQ: Agent Commission for Rentals in Singapore Explained
1. What is a fair agent commission for renting a flat in Singapore?
A fair agent commission rental for most residential leases is typically ½ month’s rent for a 1-year lease and 1 month’s rent for a 2-year lease, whether you are a tenant or a landlord. Because commission is fully negotiable, “fair” also depends on services provided (e.g. multiple viewings, negotiation, documentation, handover, defect checks) and the speed and complexity of the deal.[1][3][4]
2. Do I have to pay tenant agent fee if the landlord’s agent already gets commission?
Not automatically. Under older norms, landlord’s agents often shared their commission with tenant’s agents. But current SEAA guidelines encourage each party to pay its own agent. If you have engaged a tenant’s agent and agreed on a fee in writing, you should expect to pay that tenant agent fee even if the landlord’s agent is also collecting from the landlord.[1][3]
