A chilling message has been delivered to estate agents involved in a £1.5 billion class action lawsuit against Rightmove: speak out and risk facing "adverse commercial consequences". This stark warning was voiced by lawyers representing the claimants at the Competition Appeal Tribunal, where the initial formal stage of the legal proceedings began.
Lawyers for the claimants told the tribunal that many agents are worried about their involvement in the lawsuit becoming public or being associated with the claim. The lawsuit, launched by Jeremy Newman, a former Competition and Markets Authority panel member, alleges that Rightmove has abused its dominant position in the property portal market by imposing "excessive" and "unfair subscription fees" on estate agents.
Since its announcement in November 2025, over 250 estate agencies across Britain have reportedly indicated their support for the claim. Rightmove has strongly refuted these allegations, with a barrister for the company insisting that the suggestion of retaliation is "completely rejected". A spokesperson stated that Rightmove considers agents as "partners", and that any retaliatory action would be self-defeating.
The property sector has been abuzz with discussion over the relationship between estate agents and major online portals. Rightmove, Zoopla, and OnTheMarket remain key platforms for agents to list properties and reach potential buyers and renters. The average UK house price stood at £288,000 in June 2026, according to Halifax data, with regional variations showing London prices averaging around £520,000 and the North East's averages closer to £165,000.
Mortgage rates have remained relatively stable, with a typical 5-year fixed rate hovering around 4.5% for borrowers with a 25% deposit, according to data from various lenders. These market conditions mean agents rely heavily on efficient, cost-effective portal access to facilitate transactions. The outcome of this case could influence future pricing structures for property portal services, potentially impacting agents' operational costs across the industry.
For existing homeowners, stability in house prices and mortgage rates remains a key consideration, particularly for those looking to remortgage or move. First-time buyers continue to face affordability challenges, despite government initiatives like the Help to Buy scheme (which closed for new applications in England last year).