How much is a referral fee in Calgary real estate?

by Michael Smith

As of September 2026, the Michael Smith Team found no published Alberta standard for referral fees. Brokerages negotiate the amount. A referral fee is a share of the commission paid to the agent who sends a client to another agent. It moves brokerage to brokerage, and the client gets written disclosure that a fee may be paid.

How much is a referral fee in Calgary real estate?

We did not find a published Alberta standard for referral fee percentages, so we will not guess at one. The brokerages involved negotiate the amount. If you see a percentage online, check where it comes from. We did not find one set by an Alberta source.

Our own program is different. In the MST Legacy Program, the rate is set in your program agreement. We show that rate on the program pages, and we label it as the program rate, not a Calgary market rate.*

What is a real estate referral fee?

A referral fee is a share of the commission paid to the agent who sends a client to another agent. The commission is the pay a brokerage earns when a home sells. Think of the referral fee as a thank-you for the introduction. Here is how it moves.

The client agrees. The agent shares the client's name and contact details only after the client agrees.
The client is told in writing. The agent discloses, in writing, that a fee or benefit may be paid. The agent keeps a copy.
The brokerages settle up. The fee is paid brokerage to brokerage, not agent to agent.

A brokerage is the company an agent's licence is registered with. A licensee is a person licensed to work in Alberta real estate.

Who pays a referral fee?

Referral fees move from one brokerage to another, not from agent to agent. Rule 54 says a licensee can only promise, pay or accept a referral fee through the brokerage they are registered with. The Alberta Real Estate Association (AREA) says only the brokerage can receive one.

Here is how it looks at Real Broker. When a Real agent refers a client to an agent outside Real, the receiving brokerage pays Real, and Real pays the referring agent.

Does the client pay extra because of a referral fee?

Commissions are negotiable and vary by transaction.* If you are the client, it is fair to ask your agent how the fee is paid.

Who can be paid a referral fee in Alberta?

A brokerage cannot pay a referral fee to someone who needs a licence for the services involved but does not have one. Rule 50(e) goes a step further. A brokerage cannot pay another licensed brokerage when it knows the money will be paid to, or shared with, that kind of unlicensed person.

Whether a particular referral needs a licence is a question for RECA or a lawyer. RECA is the Alberta regulator. Its rules are published on its website, and RECA can amend them. This page reflects the text we checked in September 2026.

The rules at a glance (RECA's rules, as of September 2026)

Rule	What it says, in plain words
Rule 44	A licensee must not share information about a client, property or deal unless the client authorizes it or the law requires it.
Rule 45	When a licensee refers someone and may get a fee or benefit, they must say so in writing and keep a copy.
Rule 50(d)	A brokerage must not pay a referral fee to a person who needs a licence for those services but has none.
Rule 50(e)	A brokerage must not pay another brokerage when it knows the money will go to, or be shared with, that kind of person.
Rule 54	Referral money goes through the brokerage the licensee is registered with.

This is general information, not legal advice. Check your own situation with RECA or a lawyer.

What must the client be told?

When an Alberta agent refers you to another agent and may be entitled to a referral fee, Rule 45 says the agent must tell you in writing. The notice must say they passed on your name and contact information, and that they may receive a fee or benefit. The agent must keep a copy.

RECA's referral bulletin (last revised May 2014) adds two points. The person being referred must agree to their information being shared. The disclosure also needs the client's acknowledgement. Rule 44 sets the same base rule on sharing client information.

Do you have to be told the amount? AREA says there is no requirement to disclose the amount or how it is calculated. It says the amount could be shared upfront to avoid confusion. AREA is an industry association, not the regulator.

How the MST Legacy Program uses referral fees

The MST Legacy Program lets a retiring Calgary agent earn a 25% referral fee* on deals from clients they introduce to our team. The fee is paid through Real Broker, and each client agrees in writing before any information is shared. The program is built to follow RECA's rules, and every fee is paid through the brokerage. Enquiries are confidential.

For the full picture, see what a book of business could earn, or start at the MST Legacy Program. Already retired? Our page for retired agents covers licences and renewals. To see how Real Broker handles referrals, read Real Broker for agents near retirement.

Frequently asked questions

Is there a standard referral fee percentage in Alberta?

We did not find a published Alberta standard for referral fee percentages. The brokerages involved negotiate the amount. We do not print a typical number, because we would be guessing. In the MST Legacy Program, the rate is set in your program agreement. Before you agree to anything, ask the brokerage how it sets its fees.

Does the client pay extra because of a referral fee?

We did not find an Alberta source that answers this for every case, so we will not promise an answer. In the MST Legacy Program, the referral fee is worked out after Real's 15% and before the team and agent split. Commissions are negotiable and vary by transaction.* If you are the client, ask your agent how the fee is paid.

Can I pay a referral fee to a friend who is not licensed?

Rule 50(d) stops a brokerage from paying someone who needs a licence for the services involved but does not have one. Whether a particular referral needs a licence is a question for RECA or a lawyer. Do not pay a friend on the side. Rule 54 says referral money goes through the brokerage.

Can an agent be paid a referral fee directly, or in cash?

No. Under Rule 54, referral fees go through the brokerage you are registered with. A licensee cannot promise, pay or accept a referral fee any other way, directly or indirectly, for a trade in real estate. AREA also says only the brokerage can receive a referral fee.

Does the client have to be told about a referral fee?

Yes, if the agent who refers you may be entitled to a fee or other benefit. Rule 45 says the agent must tell you in writing that they passed on your name and contact information and that they may receive a fee or benefit. The agent must keep a copy. RECA's referral bulletin also says you must agree to your information being shared.

Does the client have to be told how much the fee is?

AREA says there is no requirement to disclose the amount or how it is calculated. It says the amount could be shared upfront to avoid confusion. The written notice under Rule 45 covers that a fee or benefit may be paid. You can still ask about the amount. This is general information, not legal advice.