If a tenant renews lease does landlord have to pay the original real estate agent again who brought the tenant is the question this week for Ask Landlord Hank. Remember Hank is not an attorney and is not offering legal advice. If you have a question for him please fill out his form below.
Dear Hank:
Does the agent who initially found you a tenant and got commission on one month’s rent get a commission again if the same tenant renews the lease agreement for a second year?
And if they do how much is the total amount or  percentage?
Thank you.
-Helen
Hello Landlady Helen,
I would check your agreement with the agent that found your tenant.
In Florida, we use the standard MLS agreement and that agreement says that if the owner enters into any new lease or renewal of the original lease with a tenant placed in the property by or through broker, owner agrees to pay broker as compensation in connection with the new lease or renewals the amount specified in another section.
When I hear that a tenant is leaving a property at the end of the lease, I usually ask why.
Sometimes I hear that the tenant found a less expensive property, or one closer to work, or a larger property or is being transferred to another city, you get the idea, but other times I hear that the property manager was a poor communicator or made the tenant feel insignificant or didn’t take care of maintenance issues promptly.
So, I can see some rationale for charging renewal fees if tenant renews lease, stays and the owner is not managing. My company doesn’t charge renewal fees. We feel that when you pay for a good quality tenant and they stay for one year or ten years that the owner has already paid for the tenant.
Sincerely,
Hank Rossi
Each week I answer questions from landlords and property managers across the country in my “Dear Landlord Hank” blog in the digital magazine Rental Housing Journal.   https://rentalhousingjournal.com/asklandlordhank/
Ask Landlord Hank Your Question
Ask veteran landlord and property manager Hank Rossi your questions from tenant screening to leases to pets and more! He provides answers each week to landlords.
Do I Have to Paint and Replace Flooring for a Long-Term Tenant?
A Tenant Poured Grease Down Drain Who Is Responsible?
