How To Get Commission You So Rightly Deserve

If you work on a commission basis and you are in the real estate market, you may have come across a situation where the individual paying the commission to you, will not pay you.  This can be one of the most frustrating parts of the business.   You have sent a referral over to a landlord and the renter clearly indicates you were the procuring cause of the lease.  The owner/landlord has stated that a commission will be paid if your client notates that you were the source.  What can you do? What are the remedies?

Phone Calls

Is the landlord or management company who pays the fee taking your phone calls? Do your best to get a hold of that individual who is in charge.  If you can speak with the individual you will increase your chances of receiving payment.  The only questions you should have for this individual should be, “do you have a check number” and “when can I receive payment”.   By the reaction of the contact person, you will most likely get a good feeling or a not so good feeling.  They should give you a time frame when you can expect the check.  You may even schedule a “pick up” time whereby you can personally pick up the check. Now you will enter the waiting period.  If you do not receive the payment in the allotted time, it will be time for you to make follow up phone calls.

Demand Letter

If you have exhausted your resources using the phone it is time to structure a well written demand letter.  You should have all the pertinent information.  Include your clients name, move in date, rental amount, and any other information that is necessary to identify the commission you should have received.  Make sure you send the letter certified.  Also you will need to implicate the company and then let them know what you will do if you don’t receive your commission.  You will want to give them a set number of days to send payment.  Make sure you put together a well written demand letter. Research what should be included in the letter and how it should be worded.

Small Claims Court

Assuming you do not receive your payment, your next step will be to go to your local courthouse and file a civil suit.  There are forms you will need to fill out, including information pertaining to who you are going to sue.  The defendant will have a set number of days to respond to these claims.  However, they will be forced to show up to the courthouse or you will receive a judgment against them. The court system will allow you to resolve this situation.

Following these processes is extremely time consuming and mundane.  However, if you want to receive payment these steps and methods will be necessary.