Font size: +
3 minutes reading time (601 words)

ESTATE AGENTS UNITE: SIGN THE PETITION AGAINST RIGHTMOVE'S UNJUST PRICE HIKES?

Rightmove-Fee_20250214-162430_1


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:

  •  Estate agency fees have fallen dramatically. In 2011, the average fee was 1.8% of the sale price — today, it's below 1%.
  •  People are moving home less frequently. In the 1980s, the average person moved house every ten years — today, it's every 21 years.
  •  The number of estate agents has increased over 20% since 2018. More agents are now chasing fewer listings while also being forced to lower fees to stay competitive.
  •  Worryingly, Forvis Mazars reports 32% increase in number of agents going bust!

All the above means less revenue, more competition, and fewer transactions - yet despite this, Rightmove keeps pushing up costs, draining the industry's resources and driving smaller agents out of business.

A Monopoly That's Harming the Industry

Yet, Rightmove's grip on the market isn't just affecting estate agents we believe it's actively harming the entire property transaction process. Here's why:

  • No support for faster transactions: Despite controlling the largest property portal in the UK, Rightmove has done very little over recent years to help speed up property transactions. In fact, we have it on good authority from Land Registry that they're refusing to display Material Information against properties unless it is both "free and complete," leaving agents legally exposed to Trading Standards compliance issues. Worse still is the arrogance of a portal dictating that providers have to hand over valuable information for free, whilst they actively take agents property listings for free and sell it back to them at a whopping 70%+ profit margin!
  • Blocking innovation: The dominance of Rightmove stifles competition, making it nearly impossible for innovative services that could genuinely help the industry to gain traction.
  • Discriminatory pricing: Reports suggest that fees are not evenly applied, with independent agents being charged disproportionately more based on size, location, or success — a practice that desperately needs full transparency if rumours are true that corporate agents are paying substantially less than independents.

Time for Change: Add Your Agency To The List Of Those Who Want Change NOW!

Because of these unfair practices in the estate agency profession by this singular, dominant supplier, WiggyWam are launching this petition to:


  • Demand complete transparency in Rightmove's pricing structure.
  • Call for a freeze on excessive annual price increases and hopefully a reduction in the fees charged to agents.
  • Hold Rightmove accountable for helping improve property transaction speed and compliance.
  • End unfair pricing models that penalise independent agencies.

This isn't just about estate agents - it's about the future of the UK property market. If we don't stand together now, independent agents will continue to be priced out, leading to less choice for sellers and buyers, slower transactions, and an industry monopolised by corporate giants.

Are you an Independent Agency? Add Your Details To The List Of Supporters Below.
×
Stay Informed

When you subscribe to the blog, we will send you an e-mail when there are new updates on the site so you wouldn't miss them.

How we've enhanced our digital services
What’s the real cost of unsafe cladding?
 

Comments 10

Guest - James on Tuesday, 25 February 2025 14:48

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’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.
Guest - Sarah in Cantebury on Wednesday, 26 February 2025 14:53

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’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.
Guest - T Pilkington on Sunday, 02 March 2025 15:04

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

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
Guest - Ant - Colchester on Wednesday, 12 March 2025 08:10

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.

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.
Guest - Rachel on Monday, 17 March 2025 22:16

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.

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.
Guest - Martin Jones on Sunday, 09 March 2025 10:07

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.

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.
Guest - Dan on Thursday, 13 March 2025 15:13

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.

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. :(
Guest - Martin Jones on Wednesday, 02 April 2025 19:21

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.

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.
Guest - Ben-r on Tuesday, 18 March 2025 15:25

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.

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.
Guest - Gary Bishop on Tuesday, 18 March 2025 17:27

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.

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.
Already Registered? Login Here
Thursday, 15 May 2025