Question about Property Management Contract

I've had this rental property in Austin for three years, managed by a property manager. They recently sent me a new agreement to sign. One of the new items is that I pay 60% of the first month's rent whenever a new tenant signs a lease, 30% going to the broker who referred the tenant, 30% going to the property manager.

Below that is another item saying I'll pay 30% of one month each time the lease is renewed.

In the past I've only paid...I think it was 40% of 1st month's rent to the referring broker, while my manager charges 6% a month.

I emailed the property manager asking about these items and was told I could scratch the 30% renewal part and that the 30% of first month's rent was a new charge on their part.

I was just wondering how other property owners handle agreements like this. Do you pay broker fees for referrals (my apartment is near the university, so I'm told this sort of arrangement is common to be more competitive)? I've been happy with the property manager, they're quick to respond to both me and the tenants. I'm just curious to see what others have going.

This sounds slightly dubious to me! You are paying a management fee of 6% per month on an existing deal with the same tenants? Presumably you were charged an initial setup fee to find the tenants and set up the contract??

I personally wouldn't pay any more than the management fee on a monthly basis. Could you rent the apartment direct to avoid the broker fees? There are various websites that do a good job of acquiring new tenants at a low or no cost.

It doesn't make sense and seems illogical. Can you seek a 2nd opinion? Maybe just look for another person who is well-versed in this and ask them to see if this is OK?

My property management company charges me 7% of gross rental income collected, plus a fee of one month's rent every time they fill a rental property of mine with a new tenant. For my situation, it's worth it to me to pay it; for other landlords, it may not be.
One possibility you might try is managing it yourself, with the help of online property management software. It may or may not be feasible for you, but I know of at least one website that offers state-specific rental agreement (http://www.ezlandlordforms.com/) forms and online property management software (http://www.ezlandlordforms.com/resources.aspx), might be worth checking out.
Alternatively, I don't think your property management company is charging that much, relative to mine anyway!
Cheers,
Brian