QUICK ANSWER
- Rentals: RealEthio charges 10% of the advance rent paid to the landlord (minimum 10% of 3 months’ rent) + 15% VAT.
- Sales: 2% of the sale price + 15% VAT; across the market, sale commissions usually run 2–5%.
- Tenant and landlord each pay their own fee. Viewings are free and you pay only once the contract is signed.
“How much is the agent fee?” is one of the first questions every tenant and landlord asks — and in Ethiopia the answer varies a lot from broker to broker. Here is how commission usually works in Addis Ababa, exactly how RealEthio calculates its fee, and what to check before you agree to pay anyone.
How agents charge in Ethiopia
There is no single official rate, so fees depend on the agent and the deal. As a guide:
- Sales: typically 2–5% of the transaction value.
- Rentals: many brokers charge about one month’s rent; others charge a percentage of the rent paid.
Informal brokers (“delala”) sometimes ask for money before you even see a property. A professional agent should charge only when a contract is signed, give you a receipt, and add VAT if they are VAT-registered.
How RealEthio's rental fee works
Our fee is 10% plus VAT, and what it is 10% of depends on the lease:
- Lease of 3 months or more: 10% of the advance rent paid to the landlord, with a minimum of 10% of 3 months’ rent.
- Lease under 3 months: 10% of the total rent for the whole lease.
Examples with a monthly rent of 20,000 ETB (before 15% VAT):
| Situation | Calculation | Fee |
|---|---|---|
| 2-month lease | 10% × 40,000 total rent | 4,000 ETB |
| 1-year lease, 6 months paid in advance | 10% × 120,000 advance | 12,000 ETB |
| 1-year lease, 1 month paid in advance | Minimum applies: 10% × 60,000 | 6,000 ETB |
You pay once per lease — there is no extra fee when the lease is renewed — and the fee is due when the lease is signed. It applies to both residential and commercial property.
Who pays: tenant, landlord or both?
With RealEthio, the tenant and the landlord each pay their own fee to us, calculated the same way. That keeps us working for a fair deal on both sides rather than pushing the price up or down.
Commission when you buy or sell
For sales of residential or commercial property our fee is 2% of the total sale price, plus 15% VAT, paid when the sale agreement is signed. On a 10,000,000 ETB apartment that is 200,000 ETB + VAT.
What you get for the fee
- Homes shortlisted to your budget and needs
- Free car pickup and accompanied viewings
- Price and terms negotiated on your behalf
- Help preparing and registering the lease or sale agreement
Red flags to watch for
- An agent asking for a “viewing fee” or deposit before you have seen anything.
- No written agreement on the fee, or a fee that changes after you choose a home.
- Pressure to pay the landlord in cash without a receipt or registered contract.
- Someone claiming to represent RealEthio outside our official website and phone numbers.
See homes with free viewing pickup
Frequently asked questions
No. Viewings are free. You pay only if a lease is signed.
Yes. 15% VAT is added on top of the fee.
No. It is a one-time fee per lease.
No. Once the lease is signed the fee is not refunded, even if the lease ends early.
Sources (checked October 2026)
Want us to find it for you?
Free car pickup for viewings. You pay our fee only after the lease is signed.