A £1.5 billion legal action has today been filed against property company Rightmove in the Competition Appeal Tribunal (CAT).
The claim alleges that Rightmove abused its dominant position in the UK online property portal market by charging thousands of estate agents and new home developers excessive and unfair subscription fees. The action is brought by Jeremy Newman, a former panel member of the Competition and Markets Authority.
Rightmove received a pre-action letter informing them of the imminent legal action in November 2025. Today the claim has been filed at the CAT, detailing the evidence and relief sought for thousands of UK estate agents.
Jeremy Newman, leading the case against Rightmove, says: “There has been an extremely encouraging response from estate agents since we announced this legal action.
“The stories shared by businesses, both small and large, have confirmed long-held concerns in the market about Rightmove’s conduct.
“Filing this claim today advances the route to meaningful compensation for those businesses who have had very little choice but to absorb excessive fee increases for many years.”
He adds that over 250 estate agencies from across the UK so far have expressed interest in and support for the claim against Rightmove since it was first announced in November 2025.
The claim is fully funded by Innsworth Capital, with legal support from Scott+Scott UK LLP and independent economic analysis by Kairos Economics.
James Hain-Cole, Partner at Scott+Scott, comments: “For years, thousands of businesses have been captive customers of Rightmove, which faces no effective competition.
“It’s therefore been allowed to financially squeeze its subscribers by consistently and materially raising prices without proper justification or explanation.
“We’re pleased to have now filed this important legal action and to be supporting Jeremy in seeking redress for thousands of British businesses.”
In response, Rightmove says it’s aware of reports that an application to commence collective proceedings has been filed with the Competition Appeal Tribunal.
In a statement to its shareholders it says: “Rightmove is confident in the value we provide to our partners and consumers, who are at the core of our business solutions and digital platform.
“As one of the most efficient parts of the UK housing market, we help people across the UK to move home by bringing buyers, sellers, renters, landlords and agents together.
“Our platform continues to provide a growing range of constantly evolving products and features which facilitate market transparency, liquidity and confidence.
“This claim is without merit, and we will defend it vigorously.”
