{"id":60,"date":"2024-12-06T00:29:26","date_gmt":"2024-12-05T16:29:26","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/blog.homie.co\/?p=60"},"modified":"2025-08-20T18:29:53","modified_gmt":"2025-08-20T10:29:53","slug":"property-agent-commission","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.99.co\/singapore\/insider\/property-agent-commission\/","title":{"rendered":"Property agent commission in Singapore: How much should I pay?"},"content":{"rendered":"
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A good property agent more than deserves their commission, but many buyers and sellers are often unsure about how much to pay. And it’s the same with landlords and tenants.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In Singapore, property agent commissions are typically based on a percentage of the property’s transaction value. Sellers generally pay around 2% of the sale price for HDB resale flats, and between 2% to 4% for non-landed private properties like condominiums. For landed properties, the commission can exceed 2%, as these transactions are often more complex. Buyers of HDB resale flats typically pay a 1% commission. However, buyers of private properties usually do not pay a direct commission, as the buyer\u2019s agent shares the seller\u2019s agent\u2019s commission through a common practice called co-broking.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Commission rates are negotiable, particularly for higher-value or unique properties like landed homes. Some agencies offer flat fee structures, but these are less common. It is essential for buyers and sellers to discuss and agree on the commission terms clearly with their agent, ideally formalising it in the Council for Estate Agencies (CEA) Prescribed Estate Agency Agreement. Importantly, property agents are prohibited from collecting commission from both the buyer and the seller in the same transaction to avoid conflicts of interest.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In November 2023, 16 major property agencies representing 88% of Singapore\u2019s agents adopted a best practice guide for co-broking commissions. This guide encourages agents to collect fees directly from their own clients, promoting greater transparency and professionalism in the industry.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

So here’s our guide to help you be sure about the commission you should pay for any property transaction, be it selling<\/a>, buying or renting as a landlord or tenant.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

New Best Practice Guide for Co-broking Commission rolled out by Singapore Estate Agents Association (SEAA)<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Under this guide<\/a>, agents\u00a0are strongly encouraged to collect\u00a0<\/strong>commissions from the party they represent. The seller\u2019s agents will collect from the seller. The buyer\u2019s agents will collect from the buyer. The landlord\u2019s agents will collect from the landlord. The tenant\u2019s agents will collect from the tenant.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

When clients opt not to cover their agent\u2019s commission, they can request a co-brokerage fee from the opposing party\u2019s agent. To formalise the sharing of commissions, agents must prepare a co-broking agreement. Agents are strictly prohibited from receiving commissions from both the buyer and seller in a single transaction, ensuring impartiality and integrity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The\u00a0Best Practice Guide for Co-Broking Commission\u00a0<\/strong>aims to enhance professionalism, integrity, and efficiency within the real estate industry, providing greater clarity and protection for agents and clients.<\/p>To understand property agent commissions in Singapore, we first need to know the two types of agents:<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

1. Landlord\/Seller’s Agent<\/b><\/h2>\n\n\n
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\"Landlord<\/a><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

This is any property agent the landlord or seller appoints to market a unit. This agent:<\/p>\n\n\n\n