The agent asks for a fee just to view the unit. Is that normal?
No. A licensed real estate broker or agent earns a commission from the owner when the unit is rented, not a fee from you to open the door. A "viewing fee", "tripping fee" or "reservation before viewing" paid by GCash to a stranger is a scam sign.
Some fake agents collect viewing fees from many people and never show up. Others show a real unit they have no right to rent, and collect reservation fees from several viewers. Either way, the fee is the business, not the unit.
What to do
- Refuse any fee before a viewing, politely. A real agent will still show you the unit.
- Ask for the agent's PRC license number and check it.
- Ask who the owner is and whether the agent is authorised in writing.
- Search the agent's name and number with "scammer".
- Pay only after a viewing, a contract and matching names on the contract and the account.
Frequently asked questions
- The agent said the fee is for transportation. Reasonable?
- No. Transport is the agent's cost of doing business. Paying it by GCash to a stranger is paying for nothing.
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