As many as one in five agents don’t plan to take time off over Christmas.

Of the 80% who do plan to take a break this Christmas, 44% stated they would be working right up until Christmas Eve.

Some 45% stated they would also be returning to work between Christmas and New Year’s Eve, with the majority planning to do so as early as the 26th or 27th December.

A higher proportion (85%) stated they would be taking New Year’s Day off, however, 63% of those who did stated they would be back in the office from 2nd January.

Just 11% said that they plan to fully switch off during the festive period and avoid work calls and emails.

For those that can’t switch off, progressing current transactions through to completion and hosting or organising viewings are most likely to take most of their attention.

The research was commissioned by exp UK and the agency boss Adam Day says: “Estate agency can be a round the clock business and whether they are burning the midnight oil or up at the crack of dawn, many agents work incredibly hard to ensure that the sales they oversee make it through to completion.

“For a considerable number, this means working right up to, if not through, Christmas itself.

“This year is likely to be busier than most as a result of next spring’s impending stamp duty relief deadline and so agents will likely have more sales in the pipeline than they may have traditionally, increasing the urge to manage them over the festive break.”