When your client buys a property listed by another agent, the commission is usually split. The problem is that many of these deals are made verbally or over WhatsApp, and at closing nobody remembers the same thing. This guide explains what should be in writing, how to sign it and how to get paid.

## Why document a shared commission

- **Proof that you brought the client.** If the buyer later contacts the listing agent or the owner directly, you need to show when you registered them.
- **Same percentage for everyone.** It avoids arguments about whether it was half, 2.5% of the price or a fixed amount, and on which price it is calculated.
- **Orderly payment at the notary.** With a signed agreement you can ask for commissions to be paid on the day the deed is signed. Read [how to ask the notary to pay commissions](/guia/comisiones-notario?lang=en).
- **Basis for a complaint.** If you are not paid, a signed agreement is your main evidence before the agent's association or the state authority.

## What the agreement should say

1. **The parties:** names of both agents or agencies and their state license or registration numbers.
2. **The property:** address or listing ID and the listing agent's name.
3. **The client:** name of the buyer (or tenant) you introduce, and the date you register them.
4. **The split:** percentage or fixed amount, what it is calculated on (e.g. the final transaction price), and whether VAT (IVA) is included.
5. **When and how it is paid:** e.g. at signing before the notary, through a payment instruction in the deed, or by transfer the next day.
6. **Protection period:** how long the client registration counts if the purchase closes months later.
7. **What happens if the deal falls through**, and if the client buys another property from the same listing agent.
8. **Signatures and date** of both agents.

## E-signatures: how valid are they?

In Mexico, the Commercial Code recognizes electronic signatures in commercial acts. A simple e-signature (for example, confirming with a code sent to your phone) is worth more the better the evidence of who signed, what they signed and when:

- **Text integrity:** a digital fingerprint (hash) of the document shows it was not changed afterwards.
- **Timestamp:** an independent timestamp proves the date and time of signing.
- **NOM-151 certificate:** the NOM-151-SCFI-2016 standard governs the retention of data messages; a certificate issued by an accredited certification provider strengthens the evidence in large deals.

This guide is not legal advice: for high-value deals, review the agreement with your lawyer.

## How Multilistado does it (free)

On Multilistado the "commission handshake" works like this:

1. You register your client on another licensed agent's listing and propose the split.
2. The listing agent accepts and **both sign electronically** with a code sent to their phone. The agreement text is sealed with its fingerprint and a free **RFC 3161 timestamp**.
3. Optionally, either agent adds a **NOM-151 certificate** (MXN 59 per agreement).
4. The agreement moves through stages: accepted, under contract, closing at the notary (the price is recorded and the amount calculated) and paid.
5. If you are not paid, you open a dispute in one click and we help you file a complaint with the agent's association or the state authority, with the agreement as evidence.

Anyone —including the notary— can check an agreement with its code on the public agreement verification page.

## Good practices

- Register the client **before** the first showing, not after the offer.
- Check that the other agent holds a current license: [how to verify an agent](/guias/como-verificar-agente-inmobiliario?lang=en).
- Keep everything in one place: agreement, showings (with the [verified showing log](/agentes/verificacion?lang=en)) and emails.
- Ask the notary for the commission payment instruction well in advance.

No account yet? [Find your registry profile](/registro?lang=en) or [sign up with your license](/portal/register).

## FAQ
### Is a commission agreement over WhatsApp valid?
A message can serve as evidence, but it is hard to prove who agreed to what and when. A written, signed agreement stating date, percentage, property and client is much stronger.

### What percentage is usually shared?
There is no fixed legal percentage; agents agree on it. What matters is writing it down: percentage or amount, on what price it is calculated and when it is paid.

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Updated: 2026-09-30 · Author: Equipo Multilistado · https://multilistado.mx/guias/comision-compartida-entre-agentes?lang=en