What if one guy wanted to set up a real estate company that catered to westerners, with maybe a newcomer to Phnom Penh type of nice/marketing target? How does a 1 man operation between a barrang real estate agent and a Cambodian landlord/owner typically go? What do the Khmer agents for the well known companies do. In some cases, they are not raising your monthly rent. I checked at my old placed and everyone was paying the same, some agents, some not. I heard that there is a legal ( thumb printed) agreement made between the landlord and agent just like back home ( sans thumb print) that basically says if they get anyone to sign a lease they get a percentage of the first months rent or some type of agreed upon lump sum.

I heard 6 month lease signs are 25% of 1st month's rent and 1 year+ are 50% of first months. Is this bullshit? Anyone else hear this? I know there are some barrang managed estate agents in town. Whats the story here? What should a real estate agent going out on foot, trying to get landlord agreements expect?

Speculation to a degree is accepted in this thread.

Sir Q

Based only on what I've been told, the kickback is much higher, especially on longer term leases. 100% of the first month and then a percentage to the spotter. If the lease amount can be inflated to further support this, so much the better. I was told by one ex-expat lady that the westerners who 'helped' her get an apartment were getting their own lease paid in on the deal. She didn't find out about it for years.

StroppyChops wrote:Based only on what I've been told, the kickback is much higher, especially on longer term leases. 100% of the first month and then a percentage to the spotter. If the lease amount can be inflated to further support this, so much the better. I was told by one ex-expat lady that the westerners who 'helped' her get an apartment were getting their own lease paid in on the deal. She didn't find out about it for years.

Word- Say I wanted to help other westerners find apartments to rent. What is the "smart" way to set up listings. I was thinking about this in regards to western real estate companies or independent agents. How would they get listings or agreements from Khmer landlords? You mention a spotter? For established companies with some employees, this system could work. For a one man start up/side gig, I am just curious how you would approach landlords. For an apartment complex and perhaps a landlord renting out 1 room of a house/shop style place.

I guess having Khmer translator/friends would help, but what is the best approach once you find out who is in charge ( the decision maker you should be talking to about setting up kickbacks for getting tenants to sign)?

What course does a western agent take if he or she gets a tenant to sign a lease with a Cambodian landlord, contract sorted and thumb printed before hand, and yet the landlord decides to not pay the commission. Take landlord to court? I am just wondering what is in place to actually make the landlord pay out on the commission.


ALSO- My old apartment next to Russian Market had multiple khmer agents showing people the units. When I signed my 6 month lease, the rent price was right in line with surrounding market value, so no real need to negotiate down, although I tried but failed.

A few new people moved in while I was there during my 6 month lease. I always asked them in the context of real estate agents what they were paying for rent. The 1 younger couple used an agent and were paying the same price I was. The landlord didn't try shit, the price was the price. I was expecting a complex full of people paying different rates, as some of us found the place on our own and some used agents. Nope, $400 per month, all 3 of us (3 different units)