Courtage / Estate Agency Fee

Estate agents can provide useful assistance when searching for a property to rent. However, in exchange for their service, you will be required to pay an agency fee, known in German as the 'courtage'. For this reason estate agencies are often an expensive option; their fee is typically the equivalent of two months' basic rent. It is important to remember that the agency fee is payable only when you have found a suitable property and signed a rental contract. Showing you appropriate advertisements or organising viewings of properties is not a valid reason for charging an agency fee. The estate agent is also forbidden to charge a fee if they are personally renting out the apartment, or know or do business with the person who is.