If they worked, that might make sense.
I have no problem with the security deposit or the garantia issues here (given that the law seems to protect the occupant rather than the owner, it makes sense). However, in my experience, the agent/agency does NOTHING (certainly in the case of rentals) except advertise the property in a window...maybe online, and show the potential occupants around. Not only does the agent/agency receive 2 months rent commission from the occupant but they also get paid by the owner (I don't know how much). In the UK, the agents will call you, offer you potential properties you might like, help sort out the contract, hold the deposit and will then usually act as a point of contact should there be any problems with the apartment/owner. Here, once they check your guarantee, they disappear off the face of the planet...They must work a maximum of half a day for such a massive commission and don't want to know if you have any issues with the property/landlord afterwards.
Also, take a look at rentals now. Most average 1 bedrooms are between 3,500 and 4,500 pesos/month. High-end apartments are more likely to be got at over 8-10 grand if not more. That's a prohibitive amount of commission to come up with just to move rentals.
