Renting out an apartment through an agency: what it costs and what you get
Who pays the real estate agency commission, what the service includes and when it pays for an owner to rent out alone. A comparison of costs, time and risks.
Author: Vladislav GlinskijCEO · Prestige Group
In brief
- In Prague, the tenant most often pays the agency commission.
- With Prestige Group, renting out is free for owners.
- The service includes valuation, photos and video, 12+ platforms, viewings, tenant screening, lease and handover.
- The hidden cost of renting out alone is an empty month and a badly set price.
- Full management afterwards costs 10% of the net rent.
Owners renting out an apartment for the first time most often ask: how much will an agency cost me, and is it worth it? For many, the answer is surprising — with a number of agencies, including ours, the owner pays nothing for finding a tenant. In this article we explain who pays the commission, what you get for it and when it is better to rent out on your own.
Who pays the commission
On the Prague market, the agency commission is most often paid by the tenant, usually once when signing the lease. Some agencies also charge the owner — for listings, photos or “administration”. Before signing a brokerage agreement, ask exactly how much you will pay and for what.
With Prestige Group, renting out is free for owners. The tenant pays the commission and knows the amount in advance, before the viewing.
What the rental service includes
- Rent valuation based on apartments actually rented nearby — not on listings.
- Preparing the apartment and recommending small changes that increase the rent.
- Professional photos, video and drone shots where useful.
- Listings on more than 12 platforms and reaching our clients who are looking for a home.
- Viewings — also in the evening and at weekends, without you having to attend.
- Tenant screening — income, employment, references.
- The lease based on proven templates, deposit and terms of use.
- Handover with a handover report, photos and meter readings, transfer of energy contracts.
What renting out alone really costs
Renting out alone does not mean renting out for free. The costs are just less visible:
- An empty apartment: every month without a tenant means losing the whole rent. For an apartment at CZK 25,000 a month, one empty month costs CZK 25,000 — more than many agencies charge.
- A badly set price: rent that is too high extends the empty period; rent that is too low costs you money every month for the whole lease.
- Time: answering dozens of messages and calls, viewings, meetings and paperwork.
- Risk: a tenant who doesn’t pay or damages the apartment. Evicting a non-paying tenant can take months.
- The lease: a template from the internet may not cover your situation, and mistakes only show in a dispute.
Comparison
| With Prestige Group | Alone | |
|---|---|---|
| Cost for the owner | CZK 0 | listings, time, possible mistakes |
| Rent valuation | based on apartments actually rented | based on listings |
| Presentation | professional photos and video | phone photos |
| Listings | 12+ platforms | 1–2 portals |
| Viewings and communication | the agent | you |
| Tenant screening | income, employment, references | gut feeling |
| Lease and handover | proven templates, handover report | internet template |
Thanks to the right price and a professional presentation, we rent out apartments for up to 20% above the market price and usually find a tenant within 30 days.
How to choose an agency
- Ask who pays and how much — and have it written in the contract.
- Look at the agency’s listings: the quality of the photos and descriptions shows how your apartment will be presented.
- Read reviews on Google and Firmy.cz.
- Check how the agency screens tenants and who prepares the lease.
- Find out whether it can continue with management if you don’t want to deal with the apartment day to day.
Rent out your apartment with us
For owners, renting out an apartment is free. If you don’t want to deal with anything after the tenant moves in either, we can take over full management for 10% of the net rent. We will prepare a rent estimate free of charge within 24 hours.
