EYE NEWS UPDATE: Rightmove fires back in wake of legal action court date

Rightmove has responded after the Competition Appeal Tribunal confirmed the first court dates in a proposed £1.5bn legal action brought on behalf of thousands of estate agents and housebuilders across the UK.

The claim, led by former Competition and Markets Authority panel member Jeremy Newman, alleges that Rightmove abused its dominant position in the online property portal market by charging agents excessive and unfair subscription fees.

The tribunal has scheduled a key hearing for 2-3 November 2026, when judges will decide whether to grant a Collective Proceedings Order – a decision that would formally certify the case and allow it to move towards a full trial.

The tribunal also ordered Rightmove to submit its defence by 29 July, with Newman required to file his response by 25 September.

The legal action seeks an estimated £1.5bn in damages and covers estate agents and new home developers that paid subscription fees to Rightmove between April 2020 and April 2026.

The case is expected to become one of the most significant legal disputes the property industry has faced in recent years, placing renewed scrutiny on portal pricing, competition and the balance of power between agents and the major property platforms.

A Rightmove spokesperson said: “Rightmove is confident in the value we provide to our partners and consumers, who are at the core of our business solutions and digital platform.

“As one of the most efficient parts of the UK housing market, we help people across the UK to move home by bringing buyers, sellers, renters, landlords and agents together. Our platform continues to provide a growing range of constantly evolving products and features which facilitate market transparency, liquidity and confidence. This claim is without merit, and we will defend it vigorously.”