Good News: Agents’ fees not considered a key worry for consumers

One of the largest surveys of housing concerns amongst consumers suggests that agents fees - once a major issue - is no longer of great significance.

The HomeOwners’ Alliance questioned 2,195 people from across the UK about their housing worries.

Overall house prices were the biggest worry - cited by 82 per cent of those questioned, followed by the availability of affordable housing next on 76 per cent. 

Mortgage availability and payment concerns were next on 64 per cent, followed by issues over the quality of housing on 63 per cent.

Next up was worry over the controversial leasehold system on 60 per cent; concern about the ability to trade up the property ladder was voiced by 59 per cent.

Only then does concern over estate agents’ fees surface - that’s an issue to 58 per cent of respondents.

Concern over solicitor and conveyancing fees was next on 56 per cent, with 55 per cent saying stamp duty was a worry to them.

Paula Higgins, chief executive of the HomeOwners Alliance, says: "We crave a stable functioning housing market that delivers for everyone - from those struggling to get on to the ladder to those who find themselves at the whim of the leasehold system. Our annual survey shows more first time buyers than ever before reporting their struggle to get on the ladder, demonstrating how government and industry is failing a whole generation. 

“Our survey shows that although we are building more, we are not building better - concerns about the quality of our homes are our top housing concern. Meanwhile concerns about problems in the leasehold/freehold system has reached a five-year high.

“Our report also highlights barriers to buying a home, such as the complexity of schemes including Help to Buy. It also highlights issues homeowners face, such as finding reliable builders and the high cost of VAT.

“And it also tells us that we cannot underestimate the importance of people’s homes - they effect everything from feeling secure and safe to our well being.”