If you contact a Singapore rental listing directly and the salesperson represents the landlord, arranging a viewing with that salesperson does not mean you appointed them to represent you. CEA says a property agent can represent only one party in the same transaction and cannot collect fees from both sides. Ask whose agent you are speaking to before making an offer or discussing commission.
The landlord’s agent can show you the home, relay your offer and, with the landlord’s consent, assist with paperwork while making their role clear. If you want advice or negotiation on your behalf, you can decide whether to appoint a separate tenant’s agent and agree their scope and fee in writing. Read CEA’s guidance on appointing a property agent.
- Ask who appointed the salesperson and confirm their role in writing.
- If you appoint your own agent, agree the fee, scope and payment terms.
- Ask for the basis of any commission request that comes after a direct viewing.
- Keep the estate agency agreement and the tenancy agreement separate.
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Work out who represents each side
The person who answers the listing may be working for the landlord even if they help you arrange the viewing or explain the next step. A tenant’s agent, if you appoint one, takes instructions from you. If both parties have their own agents, the two agents may work together on the transaction while representing their respective clients. CEA calls this co-broking.
| What happens | What to check |
|---|---|
| You reply to a listing and arrange a viewing | Ask whether the salesperson represents the landlord |
| The salesperson helps with a form | Confirm whose instructions they are acting on |
| You appoint your own agent | Agree the scope and fee in the prescribed agreement |
| A fee is requested after a viewing | Ask which agreement it comes from and which agency issued the charge |
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Ask about fees before agreeing to anything
CEA says commission is negotiable. If you appoint an agent, use the applicable prescribed estate agency agreement to document the agreed fee and scope. Ask what is included, whether GST applies and when payment is due. Keep a copy of the signed agreement and verify any invoice with the licensed agency. See how to read a prescribed estate agency agreement.
For example, a parent contacts a condo listing for a student moving closer to campus. The landlord’s agent arranges the viewing and sends a draft lease. A subsequent message asks for half a month’s rent as commission. The family can reply, “Please confirm which party you represent and send the estate agency agreement or other basis for this charge.” The answer helps the family separate the proposed lease payments from the fee request.
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Keep tenancy payments and agency fees distinct
Write down the proposed rent, security deposit and any stamp duty separately from any commission you have agreed to pay. Read the tenancy agreement for the housing terms and the estate agency agreement for the agent’s appointment and fee. Verify the party and payment instructions through an official or independently confirmed channel before paying. If the role or charge remains unclear, ask the agency to explain it in writing and check CEA’s guidance.
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Frequently asked questions
Can the landlord’s agent help with my paperwork?
CEA allows that help if the agent has the client’s consent, makes it clear they do not act for the other party and collects no fee from the other party for the help.
Can I negotiate an offer without appointing an agent?
You can communicate your offer and questions directly to the landlord or their representative. Put material terms in writing so you can compare them against the proposed agreement.
Can one agent represent both of us if we agree?
CEA’s restriction applies to representation in the same transaction. Each party can decide separately whether to appoint its own agent.