# Co-broking

- Topic: Industry & regulation
- Last updated: 6 Nov 2026
- Fact-checked against official government sources: 6 Nov 2026
- Canonical URL: https://propertymeter.sg/glossary/co-broking/

## What is co-broking?

Co-broking is when two or more property agents, each representing a different party, work together on one transaction, for example the seller's agent and the buyer's agent. They may share the commission, but that split is strictly an agreement between the agents. Refusing to co-broke can lead to disciplinary action by CEA.

## Key facts

- **What it is:** Agents representing different parties working together on one transaction
- **Commission split:** Strictly an agreement between the agents involved
- **Best practice:** Agents should collect commission only from the client they represent
- **Industry guide:** Best Practice Guide for co-broking commission, launched 14 November 2023, effective 1 July 2024
- **Not allowed instead:** One agent acting for both buyer and seller (dual representation)

## How co-broking works

In a co-broked deal, each party keeps their own agent, and each agent works only for their own client.

| Role | Acts for | Paid by |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Seller's agent | The seller | The seller, under their estate agency agreement |
| Buyer's agent | The buyer | The buyer, or a share of the seller's agent's commission |

The industry's Best Practice Guide for co-broking commission, launched in November 2023, rests on two principles: agents should avoid conflicts of interest, and they should be paid for their services, collecting commission only from the client they represent.

## Example

A seller agrees a 2% commission with their agency on a $1,500,000 sale. The rate is for illustration. A buyer's agent brings the buyer, who pays no commission. The two agents agree between themselves to share the seller's $30,000 commission. Neither agent collects from the other side's client.

## Common mistakes

- **Expecting one agent to act for both sides.** That is dual representation, which is an offence.
- **Assuming a fixed split.** There is no prescribed rate or split; it is agreed between the agents.
- **Not asking how your agent is paid.** Ask upfront who pays whom, so there are no surprises at completion.

## Frequently asked questions

### Does the buyer pay commission in a co-broked sale?

Not necessarily. If the buyer doesn't pay, the buyer's agent negotiates with the seller's agent to share the commission, and the split is an agreement between the two agents.

### Can an agent refuse to co-broke?

It can lead to disciplinary action. In 2023 a CEA Disciplinary Committee fined a salesperson $14,000 and suspended him for 7 months after he hid a listing's address and avoided a buyer's agent to stop a co-broked deal.

### Why does co-broking help me?

For sellers, it can widen the pool of buyers. For buyers, it can widen the choice of properties, since your agent can work with other agents' listings.

## Sources

1. [Key things to know about the SEAA Best Practice Guide for co-broking commission (25 March 2025)](https://www.cea.gov.sg/about-cea/newsroom-publications/ceanergy-blog/key-things-to-know-about-the-seaa-best-practice-guide-for-co-broking-commission/) (CEA)
2. [What to take note of when engaging a property agent](https://www.cea.gov.sg/consumers/engaging-a-property-agent/what-to-take-note-of-when-engaging-a-property-agent/) (CEA)
3. [Fined $14,000 and received 7 months' suspension for refusing to co-broke a property transaction (14 July 2023)](https://www.cea.gov.sg/about-cea/newsroom-publications/ceanergy-blog/fined-14-000-and-received-7-months-suspension-for-refusing-to-co-broke-a-property-transaction/) (CEA)

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Source: PropertyMeter (https://propertymeter.sg/glossary/co-broking/). General information only, not financial, legal or tax advice.