How Much Do Estate Agents Charge in the UK? (2026 Fees)
Quick answer
Most high-street estate agents charge a percentage of the final sale price, often plus VAT, and extras can apply. There is no single national rate set in law. Online agents and advertising platforms may use fixed or monthly fees instead. Compare total cost for your likely timeline, not the headline alone.
Illustrative maths only: 1% to 3% plus VAT on a £400,000 sale is roughly £4,000 to £14,400. That is not a promise of what your local agent will quote.
What you are usually paying for
A traditional instruction usually covers marketing, portal listing, viewings, negotiation support, and progress chasing. Packages differ by branch. Some extras sit outside the headline percentage.
Read the official selling overview before you compare quotes: GOV.UK How to sell a home.
Commission, fixed fees, and monthly advertising
| Model | How you pay | Typical use |
|---|---|---|
| Sole agency commission | % of sale price (+ VAT in many quotes) | One high-street agent |
| Multi-agency commission | Higher % when several agents compete | Faster coverage, higher fee if they sell |
| Online agent fixed package | Upfront or staged fixed fee | Marketed as fixed cost vs % |
| Advertising platform | Monthly listing fee, 0% of sale price | You run viewings; flat advert cost |
My Savvi Home is the advertising model: Essential from £49.99/month and Premium from £79.99/month while the listing is live, with zero commission on the sale price. See [pricing](/pricing). Listings appear on mysavvihome.com today. Rightmove and Zoopla syndication is not currently included.
A published industry figure (cite the source)
The HomeOwners Alliance estate agent fees guide has published typical sole-agency fees around 1.42% including VAT. Treat that as an industry snapshot they published, not a legal standard and not a quote for your street.
Always ask your agent for:
- the VAT-inclusive total
- what happens if the sale falls through
- photography, portal featuring, and early-exit terms in writing
Illustrative cost table (not a quote)
Using 1.5% + 20% VAT as a worked example only:
| Sale price | 1.5% fee | VAT (20%) | Total in this example |
|---|---|---|---|
| £200,000 | £3,000 | £600 | £3,600 |
| £300,000 | £4,500 | £900 | £5,400 |
| £400,000 | £6,000 | £1,200 | £7,200 |
| £500,000 | £7,500 | £1,500 | £9,000 |
| £750,000 | £11,250 | £2,250 | £13,500 |
Your real quote may be higher or lower. Multi-agency rates are often higher still. Online fixed fees are a different trade-off: you may pay whether or not you sell, so read the refund and sole-agency clauses.
VAT and extras to check
Ask whether the quote includes:
- VAT
- photography and floorplans
- portal featuring upgrades
- “premium” marketing packs
- withdrawal or early-exit fees
- referral arrangements for conveyancers or brokers
How to compare a quote fairly
- Expected asking range from your own valuation work, not a blog number.
- Fee type: % commission, fixed package, or monthly advertising.
- Tie-in period and cancellation terms.
- What happens if the buyer pulls out or you withdraw.
- Total cash out if you sell in 1 month vs 6 months (monthly ads vs % of sale).
Private listing alternative
If you want advertising without a sale commission, compare a flat monthly listing on [My Savvi Home pricing](/pricing). For the full private-sale path, read [Sell without an estate agent](/sell-without-estate-agent) and [How it works](/how-it-works).
You still need proper conveyancing. Saving agency commission does not remove legal, EPC, or tax rules. See GOV.UK: tax when you sell your home if Capital Gains Tax may apply.
Sole agency vs multi-agency in plain English
Sole agency means one firm markets the home for an agreed period. Multi-agency means several firms can introduce buyers, usually at a higher winning fee. Neither model is “required by law.” Pick the contract you understand, not the valuation that flatters you into signing.
If an agent ties you into a long exclusive period with a steep exit fee, calculate the worst case before you commit. Quiet withdrawals still cost money under some contracts.
Scotland and the rest of the UK
Property law and consumer rules differ across the UK. This article focuses on fee *types* sellers meet in practice. For process steps in your nation, start with GOV.UK’s selling guidance and a local solicitor or conveyancer. Do not assume an England and Wales fee quote applies unchanged elsewhere.
Documents and readiness still cost money
Agency fee is only one line on the selling budget. Most sellers also pay for:
- a valid EPC before marketing in most cases ([EPC guide](/blog/what-is-epc-do-i-need-one-to-sell-house))
- conveyancing and disbursements ([solicitor guide](/blog/do-i-need-solicitor-to-sell-house-uk))
- paperwork checks listed in [documents needed to sell](/blog/documents-needed-to-sell-house-uk)
Common questions
Is there a standard UK commission rate?
No. Fees are commercial and vary. Demand a clear written breakdown. Industry guides (such as HomeOwners Alliance) publish typical ranges; your agent’s quote is what matters.
Can fees be negotiated?
Often yes. Ask what is included and whether the percentage or fixed fee can move. Get the VAT-inclusive figure in the same email as the extras list.
Do I still pay legal fees if I use an agent?
Usually yes. Conveyancing is separate from marketing fees. Instruct a solicitor or licensed conveyancer for a normal residential sale.
How do estate agent fees compare with My Savvi Home?
High-street commission scales with price. Our listing fee is a monthly advert with 0% commission on the sale. Run the maths for your price and likely time on market, then decide. Start at [pricing](/pricing).