Is it Legal according to Qatari LAw???
I'm looking for a house to rent and I called the numbers posted in QL classified ads section but I was surprised that the persons I have talked with is asking for 1 month commission aside from the rent. Is it legal that these agents will asked you for 1 month commission? are they not being paid by the owner of the house?
In Qatar I visited a lot of houses - villa - flats - stand alone (in 2004 and 2009) and I was never requested to pay a commission to the agent. The ads were on local newspapers.
First time I saw commission (in Qatar) was on QL.
But I would say that if you find the place of your dream at a good price (always negotiate the rent) not to take it because you have to pay a commission would not be very reasonable.
I would like to know in which countries the people above consider the renter paying commission to the agent normal? In no places have I ever been has it been considered normal...
The agents here will tell you that you have to pay as the landlord will not, but what they will do is take commission from the agent and from the landlord for not doing very much.
For the last 5 years the agents have not had to do any work as the people come to them and they can tell them anything as if they don't want the property they have another 5 people who do. Now the situation has changed and the agents will have to work for their money. For some of them this has not got into their brain yet.
happens always...
IT'S THE WAY OF YOUR POINT OF VIEW, AS I BELIEVE COMMISION IS NEVER & NO WHERE LEGAL.
BUT IF YOU ARE IN NEED YOU OVERLOOK THESE THINGS & MOVE ON. IT DEPENDS UPON HOW DESPERATE YOU ARE FOR THAT PARTICULAR THING/NEED.
IT GOES LIKE "BEGGARS ARE NOT THE CHOOSERS".
HOPE THIS WILL HELP/CONVINCE YOU.
Its quite a usual practice here as well as in many other countries for the agent to charge you a service fee 1/2 or 1 month rent. It depends on the individual and which real estate agent he/she is dealing with, to settle how much that can be negotiated. This is not illeagal since once you pay this they will provide you a receipt for service charge.
However when you actually get the contract paper in hand do read every line carefully and clarify with the agent. If anything you find objectionable do talk to the agent and request for amendment. However the contracts are very land lord pro... So dont get panicked... !!
All the best for ur searching...
It is probably not illegal but it is an unethical practice. I would refuse to pay if you are shown a place you like.
Best thing to do is visit the areas you like as some buildings/villas have phone numbers to contact the landlord or ask the watchmen who the landlord is and contact them directly.
The standard of real estate agents here is very poor verging on extremely unethical. My advice would be not to trust any of them and they cannot force you to pay a introduction fee.
Typically, the real estate agent gets paid via the landlord in this town.
It is fine, as real estate agents ask for one month rent as commission (one time only) to save your time and energy searching apartment or villa. you could negotiate to round it off.
well ,, as no one is answering you
its known that they take one month or half month rent if the amount of rent is more than 8000 ,, the owner has nothing to do with it ,,, he wants his rent from first month .
Please go through the link, you might get useful information on what you need.
http://www.qatarliving.com/node/100993
Regards!!