What Does a Letting Agent Do — and What Are Typical Fees in Ireland?

What is a Letting Agent (and What is a Landlord’s Agent)?

When you hear the terms letting agent, landlord’s agent or sometimes estate agent (for lettings), they broadly refer to a professional who acts on behalf of a property owner (the landlord) to let the property out, or to manage it once let. The following explains how we define the roles.

Letting Agent

A letting agent is the firm you hire to market your property, source a tenant, put the tenancy agreement in place, and often handle the handover and deposit procedures. In Ireland, letting agents must be licensed by the Property Services Regulatory Authority (PSRA) and follow the relevant standards. Society of Chartered Surveyors Ireland
Their core duties include:

• Advertising your property on high-profile portals, arranging and conducting viewings.
• Screening prospective tenants (references, employment, previous landlord, credit if applicable).
• Preparing/negotiating the lease agreement in line with the Residential Tenancies Act 2004 and registering the tenancy with the Residential Tenancies Board (RTB). Society of Chartered Surveyors Ireland
• Collecting the security deposit, coordinating checks, dealing with the hand-over of keys.

Landlord’s Agent / Management Agent

When an agent offers ongoing management, then they become more like a landlord’s or property management agent. Their services extend past finding a tenant to servicing the tenancy during its term. That includes:

• Collecting the monthly rent and remitting it to you (minus their fee)
• Conducting periodic inspections of the property
• Liaising with tenants, handling maintenance/repairs, dealing with tenant queries or disputes
• Taking care of renewals, lease endings, move-outs, inventory checks, deposit returns, and legal compliance.

In short, you can choose either a “tenant-find only” service (we find a great tenant for you) or a “full management” service (we manage the let for you).

What Do Letting Agents Charge in Ireland?

Typical Fee Structures

There are two broad models:

1. One-off tenant-find/letting fee — a one-time fee when the property is let.
2. Ongoing management fee — a percentage of rent paid monthly while the tenancy runs.

One-off letting/Tenant-Find Fee

• Many Irish letting agents charge the equivalent of one month’s rent (plus VAT) as the standard tenant-find fee.
• For example: if your property lets at €2,000 per month, the up-front fee could be €2,000 (plus 23% VAT) for tenant-finding. Property Vision

Ongoing Management/Full-Service Fees

• In Ireland, full management services typically range from 6 % to 12 % of monthly rent (plus VAT) depending on the market and the level of service.
• Some sources quote 8-12% per annum of annual rent for part-services, with another 5-10% on top if you want full management.
• Example: A rent of €1,500/month might attract a management fee of ~€90-€180/month (ex-VAT) depending on service level.

What Affects the Fee Level

• Location: Dublin and commuter belt markets tend to entail higher fees because the rent levels are higher and competition is stronger.
• Property type/tenancy complexity: Furnished properties, short-let use, student accommodation often have more management needs and thus higher fees.
• Service scope: The more services an agent provides (maintenance oversight, legal compliance, rent review, 24-hour support), the higher the fee. homehak.com
• Portfolio size: Landlords with multiple properties may negotiate lower rates per unit. Property Vision

What We Charge at Property Vision

Because we aim to give clarity and value, here’s how our offering works for you as a landlord:

Lettings (Tenant-Find Only)

• From €600 + VAT per property.
• This covers: rental valuation, marketing the property, arranging viewings, tenant vetting, preparing the lease, coordinating hand-over.
• After that, you as landlord take over the ongoing management, unless you choose our service.

Management (Full Service)

• From 7% + VAT of the monthly rent (for properties under our full management).
• With the full-service model we handle everything: rent collection, tenant liaison, inspections, repairs coordination, renewals & lease ends, legal compliance.
• Ideal if you’d prefer a hands-off approach and want to avoid day-to-day involvement or worry.

Call us now for a chat and a tailored quote: 01 545 9064

Breaking Down What You’re Paying For

Here’s a simple comparison to illustrate the cost vs value for a typical Dublin let.

Monthly Rent	One-off Letting Fee (approx)	Ongoing Management Fee (7% + VAT)	What You Get
€1,500	€600 + VAT	~€105/month + VAT	We find the tenant & manage the let ongoing
€2,000	€600 + VAT	~€140/month + VAT	Higher rent, more oversight needed
€3,000	€600 + VAT	~€210/month + VAT	Larger property or premium market

Note: The one-off fee is fixed in our model (from €600 + VAT) rather than a full month’s rent, which gives more value in many cases.

Why Use an Agent — What We Do for You

We know as a landlord you have many responsibilities, and you’ll want assurance that your property is well-let, compliant and maintained. Here are some of the key benefits we provide:

• We keep you fully compliant with landlord obligations — registration with RTB, BER certificate, safety checks. Society of Chartered Surveyors Ireland
• Avoid bad tenants: Through proper vetting, we reduce the risk of arrears or damage.
• Faster letting: Correct marketing, professional photography, strong exposure means shorter void periods.
• Peace of mind: With full management you don’t get late-night calls, or need to chase contractors or monitor leases — we do.
• Clear reporting: You’ll receive monthly statements, full documentation, and transparent fee breakdowns.

Common Questions Landlords Ask

“What does a letting/agent fee cover?”

It varies. For tenant-find, it typically covers marketing, tenant screening, lease drafting and hand-over. For full management, it encompasses rent collection, property maintenance & inspections, legal compliance, renewals.

“What is a ‘landlord’s agent’?”

It’s essentially the same as a letting agent offering full management. When we say we act as your “agent”, it means we act on your behalf (the landlord) and manage the property as your representative.

“What are other typical agent costs I should watch out for?”

• Advertising costs (some agents include, others pass on separately) Property Vision
• Inventory, check-in/check-out surveys or reports
• Renewal fees if the lease is extended (some agents charge) Property Vision
• Legal or administration fees (especially if major work or dispute)

“Can I negotiate the fees?”

Yes — especially if you have multiple properties or long-term arrangements. Most agents publish standard rates, but are open to discussion. Property Vision

Why Choose Property Vision?

• Transparent pricing — from €600 + VAT for lettings and from 7% + VAT for management, no hidden surprises.
• Expertise — We live and breathe the Irish rental market in Dublin and the Greater Dublin Area.
• Tailored service — Whether you want us to just find the tenant, or fully manage the let, we can adapt to your needs.
• Compliance and peace of mind — You stay on the right side of legislation and your property is actively managed.
• Support for landlords — We explain clearly what we do; you remain informed and in control.

Final Thoughts

If you’re asking any of the following searches:

• what does a letting agent do
• what are letting fees
• what do estate agents charge for renting
• what do letting agents charge
• what is a landlord’s agent / what is a letting agent
• what is agent fee for rental / how much are letting agent fees for landlords

… then you are absolutely in the right place. The Irish letting market has its own patterns, rules and regulations, and using a reputable, transparent agent like Property Vision can make a big difference to your experience as a landlord.

If you’d like a free, no-obligation property appraisal, or simply want to talk through your options, give us a call on 01 545 9064 and let’s have a friendly chat about how we can help you maximise your letting outcome.

Disclaimer: This article provides general information and does not constitute legal or tax advice. Landlords should consult their accountant or legal advisor for obligations and specific circumstances.