Country guide · United Kingdom
Choosing an estate agent in the United Kingdom
Fees, redress schemes, agency agreements and the questions that separate agencies.
Updated: 04/10/2026
In brief
- Compare several agents on evidence, not on a high valuation alone
- Membership of an approved redress scheme is required
- Ask what advertising, photography and viewings cost
- Understand sole agency, sole selling rights and multi-agency
Valuations
Ask two or three agents to value the property and explain how they reached the figure using comparable sales. An inflated valuation looks attractive but often leads to price reductions.
Fees and agreements
Fees are usually a percentage of the sale price plus VAT, sometimes with fixed marketing charges. Sole agency gives one agent exclusivity for a period; sole selling rights can mean a fee even if you find a buyer yourself.
Redress and protection
Agents must belong to an approved redress scheme, and many hold client money protection for deposits and service charges held in trust.
Marketing and communication
Ask which portals are included, who conducts viewings, how offers are passed on and how often you will receive a written update.
Official sources and further reading
National starting points only. State, provincial and territorial rules may add further requirements.
Professionals in United Kingdom
Documented profiles of agents, developers, managers, investors and architects, listed in a neutral order.
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General information, not legal, tax or financial advice.