Estate agent revenues plummet as transactional decline hits home

The latest research by estate agent comparison site, GetAgent, has highlighted the declining revenue of the average UK estate agent due to a reduction in transactions, largely driven by the industry-wide lockdown as a result of the coronavirus.

GetAgent looked at the average fee charged by estate agents and what the total potential value is when considering all residential transactions. GetAgent then compared this to market performance over the last year and five years to see how lucrative it is to be an estate agent in the current market climate.

In the financial year of 2015-2016, the average estate agent charged a fee of 1.3%+VAT which equated to £2,622 on the average house price of £201,695; £3,146 when taking VAT into account.

Fast forward five years and this fee has dropped marginally to 1.25%+VAT, however, with house prices climbing to an average of £231,906 the average agent has seen income from each transaction climb by 10.6% to £2,899.

The difference? A -11.8% reduction in transactions, meaning that five years ago the 1,321,630 annual transactions within the resi market would have made the industry nearly £3.5bn in fees.

With the lockdown in March seeing agents restricted throughout April and transactions plummeting as a result, this total value has seen a notable decline, with £86,373,744 lost in fees.

Between 2018/2019 financial year and 2019/2020, the data also shows transactions have fallen by -1.9% meaning that while the average estate agents fee has still increased when compared to this time a year ago, the industry as a whole has seen revenues fall by nearly £25m where the fees secured on completed transactions are concerned.

Period
Average Fee (%)
UK AveHP (financial year – 1st Apr to 31st March)
Average Fee (£) Not Inc VAT
RESI – Property Transactions
Total Value (average fee x transactions)
2015-2016
1.3% + VAT
£201,695
£2,622
1,321,630
£3,465,360,117
2018-2019
1.25% +VAT
£229,163
£2,865
1,188,200
£3,403,643,458
2019-2020
1.25% +VAT
£231,906
£2,899
1,165,640
£3,378,986,373
Average estate agent fee sourced from GetAgent.co.uk

Properganda PR

National and local media coverage for property businesses. Journo quotes delivered in minutes.

You May Also Enjoy

Breaking News

Westminster Council Embraces the Worst Aspects of NIMBYism

In May 2025, Westminster Council will seek to ban ‘For Sale’ signage across the borough, adding to the growing list of localist powers that are being misused by councils through tacit nods to NIMBYism and the creation of new revenue streams. Misuse of Localism Powers   Abuse of ‘localism’ powers is not uncommon. In 2024,…
Read More
bank of england interest rate
Breaking News

Bank of England Money and Credit – November 2024

Overview These monthly statistics on the amount of, and interest rates on, borrowing and deposits by households and businesses are used by the Bank’s policy committees to understand economic trends and developments in the UK banking system. Key points: Net borrowing of mortgage debt by individuals fell by £1.0 billion, to £2.5 billion in November.…
Read More
bricks rubble
Commercial Agent Talk

Understanding the Importance of Waste Management in Tampa

Tampa, located on the Gulf Coast of Florida, is a vibrant city known for its sunny weather, flourishing tourism, and growing business sectors. With a population that continues to rise, the demand for efficient waste management practices has never been greater. Proper waste handling is critical not only to preserve Tampa’s pristine beaches and nature…
Read More
to let sign 2025
Letting Agent Talk

Quick Survey for Letting Agents & Property Managers – Chance to Win £200!

A short 2-3 minute survey researching the processes and challenges Letting Agents and Property Managers face in property maintenance and management. As a token of appreciation, all participants will be entered into a draw to win a £200 Amazon or Uber Eats Gift Voucher! https://s.surveyplanet.com/3inqb13s Thank you for your time and insights!
Read More
Breaking News

Nationwide: Strong end to the year for UK house prices

UK house prices up 4.7% year on year in December Northern regions see higher price growth than southern regions Northern Ireland best performing area for second year running, with prices up 7.1% over 2024 East Anglia weakest performing region, with prices up 0.5% over the year Headlines Dec-24 Nov-24 Monthly Index* 540.8 536.8 Monthly Change*…
Read More
Breaking News

28.8% of property sales fell through before completion in 2024

The most common reasons for failed sales include the buyer pulling out or failing in an attempt to renegotiate a lower purchase price after a survey (27.3%), the buyer changing their mind and withdrawing from the sale (23.6%), and difficulty getting a mortgage (21.8%). Reasons for failed sales Reason Percentage of failed sales Buyer pulled…
Read More