Property Dealer Commission on Rent in Lahore: Who Pays and How Much

Most rentals in Lahore still go through a property dealer. A good dealer saves you days of searching, but the commission is one of the most common things tenants and landlords argue about afterwards. It is simple to avoid that: agree the fee before you start, not after you find the house.

How much commission is common

There is no government-fixed rate for rental commission, so it is a matter of agreement. In practice, dealers in Lahore commonly charge somewhere between half a month and one month's rent, and many charge both the tenant and the landlord. Commercial rentals, and high-value houses in areas like DHA and Gulberg, sometimes work on different terms.

Who pays

• Tenant side: the tenant usually pays the dealer who found them the property.
• Landlord side: the owner often pays the dealer who brought the tenant, sometimes the same dealer, sometimes a different one.
• Two dealers involved: when one dealer represents the owner and another represents you, each usually takes a fee from their own client. Ask about this at the start so you don't pay twice.

When it's paid

Commission is normally paid when the agreement is signed and the keys are handed over, not when you first view a property. Be careful with anyone who asks for a "visit fee" or "file charges" before showing you anything.

Questions to ask the dealer

• What is your commission, and is it a fixed amount or based on the rent?
• Am I paying anyone else, such as a second dealer?
• Does the fee include preparing the agreement and helping with police registration?
• If the deal falls through, do I owe anything?
• Will you give me a receipt?

Renting directly from the owner

Many landlords list their own property, which avoids commission entirely. On RentNest Lahore each listing shows whether it's posted by a landlord or an agent, so you can choose. If you go direct, take the extra checks yourself: see the ownership papers and follow our scam checklist.