Estate agents accuse Rightmove of charging excessive fees

Alisa Zotimova is founder of AZ Real Estate, a London-based Bespoke Property Consultants and Estate Agents.

Zotimova said her fees have “more than doubled” in seven years.

She started with a reduced promotional rate which later increased significantly.

Whilst this was “no secret”, she described this rise as “unsustainable”.

“You don’t have to sign up but it feels like I’m pushed into a bit of a corner with my customers expecting me to use it,” she said.

If smaller agents cannot afford these sorts of fees, Zotimova said that would have knock-on effects for the housing market.

“For buyers, sellers, tenants and landlords there will be higher fees, less choice of agents if smaller ones can’t compete,” she said.

When Zotimova heard about the legal action she decided she didn’t want to opt out.

“It feels a bit David and Goliath, now it seems there is maybe a chance,” she said.