A startup property listings service has renewed its attacks on Rightmove.
Property DriveBuy claims agents are on course to see the Rightmove fees outpace the growth in commission earned for a third consecutive year.
The start-up looked at the average increase in house prices over the last two years, the resulting growth in the average commission secured per property sale by the nation’s estate agents and how this compares to the fee hikes implemented by Rightmove.
It apparently shows that in 2022, the average agent earned £3,773 in commission per property sale, whilst paying out £1,314 per month to Rightmove.
In 2023, with the average house price falling by -1.7%, the average agent also saw their commission fall by some £63 per property sold. However, the monthly cost of advertising on Rightmove climbed by 8.9% or £117 per month.
In 2024, house prices stabilised, increasing by 1.3% versus 2023, boosting the average commission earned per property by £49. However, Rightmove’s monthly fee also increased by £93 per month, an increase of 6.5% that far outstripped the boost seen to earnings as a result of positive house price growth.
So far in 2025, the housing market has recorded a 2.6% rise in the average house price to £271,531.. This has increased the average commission per sale to £3,856, some £97 higher than last year.
The start-up goes on to claim that while Rightmove’s fee increase for the year is yet to be officially reported, there are rumours of another hike.
A Property DriveBuy spokesperson says: “We are now seeing a clear pattern emerge. Even in years where the housing market stabilises, the uplift in commission is minimal while portal fees continue to climb at a far faster pace.
“The result is shrinking margins for the very professionals who drive the market forward.
“Agents are being asked to do more, deliver more, and absorb more cost while the value they retain from each sale barely moves. It is no surprise so many agents are questioning whether the current portal model is fit for purpose.”
