Last verified： · WeProperty Editorial Team · Editorial policy
Short answer：Commission and payment timing should be negotiated and recorded clearly. Neither 0.5% nor 1% is a compulsory fee for each party. Start with the agreement and evidence before deciding which dispute-resolution route applies.
Read the agreement instead of assuming a standard rate
Confirm who pays, the calculation basis, agency period and conditions that make payment due. Record discounts or rebates with their conditions rather than relying on an oral promise. EAA: estate agency agreements, 30 March 2026.
| Hypothetical HK$6,000,000 transaction | Illustration only |
|---|---|
| One client separately agrees 0.8% | That client’s fee: HK$48,000 |
| One client agrees a fixed fee | Use that written amount |
| The other party’s agency fee | Check its separate agreement; do not automatically split a total |
The 0.8% example is arithmetic, not a recommended price or market statistic. This article does not present unsupported complaint-growth figures or invented personal experience as evidence.
Build an evidence file for the actual disagreement
Keep agreements, dated viewing records, offer discussions, invoices and written discount confirmations. With multiple agents, do not assume that the first viewing alone decides liability. For exclusive arrangements or an incomplete transaction, check the exact payment terms before concluding that nothing is payable.
Separate a complaint from a payment determination
Write to the agency identifying the disputed items first. A disciplinary complaint is not automatically a refund order. EAA commission determination has eligibility conditions, including both parties’ agreement and the prescribed agency agreement; consult the EAA: determination of commission disputes procedure rather than assuming every complaint qualifies.
For complex documents or liability questions, review the legal-referral service scope. A referral does not make WeProperty a law firm or guarantee recovery.
Questions and answers
Is 1% mandatory in Hong Kong?
No. The fee and payment timing are negotiated; confirm the applicable agreement.
Does the first agent to show a flat always earn commission?
Do not decide liability from viewing order alone. Review the agreement and transaction evidence.
Will an EAA complaint automatically refund my commission?
No. Disciplinary complaints, commission determination and court proceedings are different routes.
Sources and verification
Revision note: corrected outdated rules or unclear calculations and removed unverifiable first-person experience and client claims. Numerical illustrations are hypothetical.
General educational information, not individual legal, tax or financial advice. Check applicable rules, your actual contract and appropriate professional advice.