Why is there no single standard commercial agency fee?
Commercial agency instructions differ widely. A large office building requiring inspections, negotiations and complex lease progression creates a different workload from a small unit where the landlord is happy to manage enquiries.
Agents may quote a percentage-based fee, minimum fee, marketing charge or separately priced services. Ask for the complete written fee agreement rather than relying on a headline percentage alone.
What does an agent fee usually cover?
Depending on the agreement, an agent may advise on rent, prepare particulars, market on specialist websites, handle enquiries, arrange viewings, negotiate offers and assist with heads of terms.
Professional photographs, floorplans, signage, legal work and VAT may be additional. Clarify which tasks are included and who pays if the property does not let.
How does fixed-fee advertising compare?
Fixed-fee online advertising generally separates marketing from the rest of the letting. For Letlaunch Commercial, LoopNet advertising is advertised at £149 for three months; Rightmove Commercial adds £99, making the combined package £248.
The landlord is responsible for more of the process under advertising-only. The right comparison is therefore not simply £248 versus an agent’s fee: it is the cost and time of the complete service you require.
How Letlaunch can reduce costs or workload
Letlaunch is built around transparency and choice: pay for the advertising you need, manage your applicants online and add the services relevant to your letting. This is not a like-for-like replacement for every task in a traditional agency instruction.
Find tenants cost effectively
Pay £149 for LoopNet or £248 including Rightmove Commercial rather than an unnecessary percentage-based commission.
Select your letting extras
Add commercial tenant referencing or Heads of Terms creation where useful, instead of buying every service for high fees.
The prices shown are advertising package prices, not an all-inclusive lease or legal service. Optional referencing and Heads of Terms creation are charged separately.
An illustrative cost comparison
Imagine a commercial unit with an annual rent of £20,000. A hypothetical agent fee of 10% would be £2,000 before any VAT or agreed extras. And many times - traditional agents require minimum fees.
With Letlaunch, you can advertise commercial property from £149, access specialist portal exposure and manage applicants through an online agency platform. Landlords can then choose optional add-ons as and when needed.
Illustrative numbers only: commission structures and VAT treatment vary by agency and engagement.
Questions to ask before choosing
Which portals will carry the advertisement? Who responds to occupiers? Will someone conduct viewings, review proposed occupier terms and progress the transaction?
Choose advertising-only when you are confident you can manage those activities. Choose a more involved service if your time or the transaction’s complexity makes professional support worthwhile.
LETLAUNCH COMMERCIAL - ONLINE LETTING AGENCY
An online commercial letting agent, your way.
Flexible help. Clear costs. More control.
LoopNet Advertising
Three months of commercial property advertising, with enquiries and applicants managed through your Letlaunch portal.
LoopNet + Rightmove Commercial
The £149 online advertising package plus a £99 Rightmove Commercial upgrade.
