The UK estate agency industry is at breaking point. While the government reports inflation at just 2.5%, Rightmove has hit some estate agents with reportedly in many cases, an eye-watering 18% increase in fees - without adding any meaningful value to their service.
For most independent agents, this means an extra £300 per month or nearly £4,000 per year - just to maintain access to the same platform they've always used. In an industry already squeezed by falling commissions, shrinking transaction volumes, and rising competition, this is a step too far.
The Reality of Rightmove's Stranglehold on the Market
Rightmove is one of the most profitable companies on the FTSE 100, running at a staggering 73% profit margin. While independent agents struggle to keep their doors open, Rightmove continues to push aggressive price increases without offering improved service or additional value.
At the same time:
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Comments 11
We’ve just been hit with an extra £325 per month on Rightmove. Same service, no upgrades, nothing new. We’re cutting back on staff just to cover it. This can't keep going on.
We’re experiencing the same pressure here. Fumming!!! Our fees jumped again this year, and there’s no justification. It feels like we’re just funding their profits while we struggle to stay open.
We’ve signed up to things before petitions and lists and FB groups. I remember the Say No to Rightmove in 2020 or 21, thousands of us got involved, but nothing changed. A few big agents dropped off for a while, but most of us crawled back because sellers wouldn’t list elsewhere. It felt pointless. Been there done that got the t shirt It needs a different approach
I remember the last big boycott push. We dropped Rightmove for 6 months. Enquiries halved, instructions dried up. The problem isn’t just Rightmove it’s that homeowners think Rightmove is the property market. That’s what makes this so hard to fight.
Truthfully, I’m tired. Tired of being rallied into action only to watch these initiatives fade. I support the cause, I really do. But unless there’s a real, tangible strategy this time, it’s hard to get emotionally invested again.
I've been in the industry 18 years. Every few years someone launches a "revolution" against Rightmove. We all get angry, talk tough, and then… crickets. It always ends the same way with agents too scared to walk away alone.
Martin, we backed PropertyMutual. Backed OnTheMarket. Backed Boomin. Backed GetAgent reforms. Still stuck paying Rightmove £1,600 a month. If agents can’t unite and actually stay the course this time, I fear nothing will ever change.
Dan we backed a couple too. If someone is serious we need this to be different. We need more than just joining a group of protesters or signing petitions. We need a coordinated withdrawal, industry-wide messaging, and public awareness campaigns. Otherwise, we’re just venting into the void.
Signed and shared. Enough of watching small independents go under while FTSE execs cash out. Let's disrupt this monopoly from the ground up. Let us know how it goes and if you need any more action from us.
We’ve talked about it for years - now we act. I’ve added my agency to the list. It’s time we forced change, together.
Interesting that, eight months later, a "class action" is launched against Rightmove. As always, the lawyers (on both sides) will come out best - but it'll be interesting to see how this plays out.
Watch this space, I guess...