Real estate agent charges

Posted by TiredandDaggy (302 days ago)

Apologies in advance for a dumb question, but I am new to HK and the property rental market.

If you contact a real eastate agent with respect to seeing a particular apartment or building, which leads to you signing a lease, what do the agents normally charge you as the tenant?

In other countries, the agent takes a cut of the rent from the landlord or owner. But I had an inkling that in HK the agent might charge the new tenant? Is this correct or I have gotten it wrong?

Any help appreciated - I'd like to know what I am getting into by speaking with a real estate agent before I jump into a lease.

Posted by Claire (302 days ago)

Commonly, both the owner and tenant pay 50% each of one month's rent. This might be negotiable.

Posted by walkup (301 days ago)

Yes you will pay half 1-month's rent commission plus 2 months deposit plus 1 month rent in advance.

Posted by Gentlebob (279 days ago)

Just curious- but are there any real estate agents working in Hong Kong who were born in Us, UK, or anywhere Downunder?

The reason I ask is not because I prefer working with them, my agent is Hong Kong and is wonderful, but there are so many expats in different industries, but I never noticed any English-speaking agents here.

Thanks!

Posted by tsuiwah (279 days ago)

There are plenty of English-speaking agents in Hong Kong. They just aren't white. Personally, real estate is probably one of the last industries where you want an expat to represent you. You need a local or an "expat" who has been living here for a long time.

Posted by Havefaith (279 days ago)

I have come across a couple of British born real estate agents in Hong Kong. Sonia Cheng a Sallmans and a bloke at Iglu - not sure of his name. I think it was James.

Posted by ldavy (265 days ago)

There are a lot of us working as estate agents who are both English-speaking and white! In my company there's one from South Africa, one from Germany and two from the UK. I know of others from the UK, France, Holland, Australia, you name it!

Posted by mark_palmer (264 days ago)

There are a lot of british/american/aussie agents in HK!! Probably more in commercial leasing rather than Residential...but there defintely are some!