Does hiring an agent to find a renter count as an independent contractor for form 1099-misc?

The basic rule is that you must file a 1099-MISC form with the IRS if you pay an unincorporated independent contractor $600 or more during a year.  If the agent was an t unincorporated independent contractor and you paid the contractor more than $600 you would provide the contractor with a 1099-MISC. 

Are you sure?  I use a small local real estate company to find tenants for my single-family home.  They charge me a commission, and collect rent for me.  They provide me with a 1099 at the end of the year, not vice versa.  They show the amount paid out to me on the 1099, and provide a separate statement showing rent amounts collected and commissions deducted.

Since they are collecting the rent and then paying you, you do not have to send them a Form 1099-MISC.  Had you paid them a one time fee (say $750) to find you a tenant, then you would be required to issue them a 1099-MISC.