Property problems
Estate agent fees in the UK
UK estate agent fees are typically 1.0 to 1.5 percent plus VAT for sole agency, 2.0 to 3.0 percent plus VAT for multi-agency, or a fixed fee of about £300 to £1,500 with an online agent. On a £300,000 sale a sole-agency fee is roughly £3,600 to £5,400 including VAT. Fees are negotiable, and you usually pay the high-street agent only when the sale completes.
What estate agents charge
| Type | Typical fee | When you pay |
|---|---|---|
| Sole agency (one high-street agent) | 1.0 to 1.5% + VAT | On completion |
| Multi-agency (several agents) | 2.0 to 3.0% + VAT | On completion |
| Online / fixed-fee | £300 to £1,500 | Often upfront, sometimes deferred |
The honest bits sellers miss
- Fees are negotiable. The percentage and the tie-in period are both open to discussion, especially in a slower market.
- Watch the contract type. "Sole selling rights" can mean you owe the fee even if you find the buyer yourself. "Sole agency" is usually safer.
- VAT is on top of any percentage figure (currently 20%), so a quoted "1.25%" is really 1.5% of the sale price.
- Online/fixed-fee is cheaper up front but you often handle viewings and negotiation yourself, and some charge whether or not you sell.
Sources
- Typical fee ranges and contract types: HomeOwners Alliance.
- VAT rate: gov.uk.
Editor, VettedHome
Adam leads VettedHome's editorial coverage of UK home services. He is the founder and managing director of Muswell Rose, the commercial strategy and modern systems business behind a portfolio of UK information sites, and he researches and writes the plain-English guides that help homeowners choose between installers and trades, drawing on the standards set by the relevant bodies for each job, such as Gas Safe Register, NICEIC, MCS, TrustMark and the Property Care Association. He is clear about what to check before any work starts.
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