How UK property fees actually work

Property costs are easier to plan for once you can see who is charging whom, and for what. This is the ordinary shape of it in the UK, and the parts that are genuinely negotiable.

Selling through an estate agent

• The seller usually pays a commission, often a percentage of the sale price plus VAT, on a sole agency, joint agency or multiple agency basis.
• The basis matters more than the percentage: sole agency for a fixed period is cheaper but ties you in.
• Ask what is included — photography, floorplan, portal advertising, viewings, progression — and what is extra.
• Ask about tie-in length, notice period, and whether the fee is payable if you find your own buyer.

Selling privately

You avoid agent commission, and take on the advertising, enquiries, viewings and negotiation yourself. You still pay for a solicitor or conveyancer, an EPC in England, Wales and Northern Ireland or a Home Report in Scotland, and any advertising you choose.

Letting

• Landlords pay letting agents either a percentage of rent for full management, or a one-off fee for tenant find only.
• Fees that letting agents and landlords may charge tenants are restricted by law in England, Wales and Scotland, with a short list of permitted payments such as rent, deposits and certain default charges.
• Landlords also pay for safety certificates, licensing or registration where required, insurance, maintenance and tax on rental income.

Buying and renting

Buyers pay for their survey, legal work, searches, mortgage costs and the relevant property transaction tax. Renters pay rent, a protected deposit and any permitted payments — and should never be asked for a fee simply to view or apply where such fees are banned.

Where PointClickView sits

PointClickView is an advertising platform. Advertisers pay us £99 as a one-off for a single listing for 90 days, or £250 per month for up to 10 active listings. We charge no sales commission and never charge buyers or renters anything.