[applefan]

If I go look at apartments with an agent, typically do I sign anything saying that I'll rent an apt through him/her?

[KnowItAll]

No, but you do sign a sheet saying that this agent has shown you the following appartments and if you rent any of the appartments they have shown you, you will sign through them.

[towercity]

Not all estate agents will do that, I was told by my employers not too sign anything as they would be paying for it.
One or two estate agents tried to get me to sign the form kia talks about but they werent angry or upset when I refused.

The estate agents who showed us the best properties never asked us to sign anything, only ones like midland realty who kept taking us to dumps.

Tony

[freeier]

2 possibility, if they are the exclusive agent for that unit then you do not need to sign anything.
else its just a procedure that the company might require.
my agent did not ask me to sign the form, until we have confirmed the lease and etc, then he showed me the form and said for formality wise we need to have it signed.

[applefan]

Thanks for all the info. I don't mind signing such form and paying them the commission if they show me a place I want to rent. I know someone who might have a place to rent and I just don't want to end up in a situation in which no matter what apartment I rent (whether the agent shows it to me or not), I'll have to pay them the commission.