Compare Estate Agents in London – Savills, Foxtons & More

London is home to over 2,600 estate agents all vying for your attention and business. Whether you’re selling or letting your property, an experienced agent can make the difference between closing the deal and accepting a lowball offer.

To help make your decision a little easier, we’re going to compare estate agents in London. We’ve picked 3 players in the London market right now: Foxtons, Your Move, and Savills.

So let’s take a closer look at some of the best estate agents in London right now and compare everything from their fees and services to online ratings, offers, and awards.

Fees summary of London Letting Agents

Before we jump into the nitty gritty of these agents, lets take a view on common charges for selling or renting out your property with these firms plus a couple more big players

Agent	Estate agent fee	Letting agent fee
	1.50%	Let only: 15% Management: 20.4%
	3.00%	Let only: 13.2% Management: 20.4%
	Not stated	Let only: 50% of 1 month’s rent Management: 17%
	1%	Let only: 50% of 1 month’s rent Management: 15%
	1.18%	Let only: 100% of 1 month’s rent Management: 15%
	1.18%	Let only: 100% of 1 month’s rent Management: 18%

 

 

How does the above compare to online agents?

Online letting agents are usually a lot cheaper than the big high street brands. However they require DIY sellers & landlords, which include you doing your own viewings, appointment scheduling and other general tasks.

As a reference point, below are some of the big online agents and an indication of their prices

 

 

Savills

Founded in the UK in 1855, Savills is not only one of the oldest but one of the leading estate agencies in the world. With 600 locations across the globe, Savills services the Americas, Europe, Africa, the Middle East, and Asia Pacific. 

Savills has over 39,000 employees in 70 countries and works with properties of all sizes and prices. 

 

Fees and Services

Savills offers a wide range of services including planning, property, management, and valuations. Their website breaks down each service by location. 

There are special tabs and pages specifically designed for those in London, the UK, and Europe. While there’s no prices listed on Savill’s website, here’s a breakdown of the services they offer.

• Acquiring commercial property
• Auctioning a property
• Buying a brand new home
• Buying or selling a residential property
• Buying or selling an international property 
• Asset management 
• Property management
• Valuation
• Planning
• Letting or renting

Savills also offers financing, consulting, research, occupier, investment, and development services. Within each service sector are a number of options targeted to your unique needs. 

Special Services

Savills offers too many specialty services to list here. Within each of the above-mentioned categories are a long list of very specific services.

For example, under buying and selling, property owners can choose from categories like: “buying or selling a farm”, “buying or selling waterfront property”, “buying or selling equestrian property”, and much more! 

While having choices is important, it can be overwhelming as well. You’ll need to search by location, the service needed, and then pinpoint exactly what type of service you’re looking for and how much you’re willing to pay. 

You can also search by sector with categories like marine, leisure, mixed use, and office or business, just to name a few. Like Your Move, Savills doesn’t list prices on their website so you’ll need to speak with an agent and negotiate pricing.

 

Advertising Outlets

One unique feature of Savills is that they offer global exposure. That means more eyes on your property listing. Your property will also be listed on their website which attracts 2.7 million monthly visitors from over 220 territories. 

All properties are categorized by location, type, size, and price, making navigation easy and specific.

Regulatory Affiliations

Savills has several regulatory affiliations that protect your interests. These include membership in the following:

• RICS (Royal Institution of Property Surveyors)
• Property Redress Scheme
• TDS (Tenancy Deposit Scheme)
• ARLA Propertymark (The Association of Residential Letting Agents)

Awards and Recognition

With over 160 years in the estate agent business, it’s no surprise that Savills has racked up a few awards and accolades.

Here are some of their most notable recognitions.

• No. 1 Real Estate Brand 2020 according to the UK Superbrand list (this is the 14th consecutive year in the top spot)
• UK Sales Agency & Lettings Agency of the Year in 2019 (awarded by RESI)
• Global & Residential Real Estate Advisor 2019 (awarded at the annual Estates Gazette Awards)
• CoStar Awards 2019 (Savills took home 4 awards: Most Active Agent by Acquisitions, Top Investment Agency by Value, and two awards for Dealmaker of the Year)

 

Foxtons

Founded in 1981 in Notting Hill by 2 motivated agents, Foxton has grown to be one of London’s leading estate agents with over 50 locations. 

You may have seen Foxton’s fleet of Minis zipping around the city streets with eye-catching designs. Foxton also offers cafe-style offices and takes pride in giving back to the community. With over 1,100 employees, Foxtons is a strong presence throughout the local London area.

Fees and Services

When it comes to comparing the best estate agents in London, price is usually the number one factor. You want to know what services the agent offers and how much they charge. Foxtons offers a wide range of services including:

• Buying and selling property
• Access to brand new homes
• Property management
• Helping tenants find a property
• Helping landlords let their property
• Short lets and leases

Fees can vary based on the price of the property and exactly what services you need. Many estate agents in London don’t divulge their exact pricing. While this can be frustrating for some, it often means they’re willing to negotiate.

Here’s some insight on what Foxtons charges for each of their services.

• Selling a property – Foxtons doesn’t negotiate below 2.5%
• Letting a property – 11% (13.2% with VAT included)
• Letting a property plus property management – 17% (20.4% with VAT included)
• Managed short let – 26% (31.2% including VAT) 
• Valuation (both online and in-person valuations are free)

For buyers and renters, using Foxtons’ website is easy. Simply pull up the map and click on properties in your area and price range. You can also filter through properties based on price, location, size, and types (apartment, house, etc.). 

Special Services

In addition to these basic services for homeowners, landlords, buyers, and renters, Foxtons also offers several specialty services which help them stand out from other estate agents in London.

These include:

• Corporate relocation
• Prime lettings
• Prime sales
• B2R (build to rent) and Institutional PRS (private rented sector)
• China desk

Corporate Relocation

These services are for business owners looking to relocate their company and team to the London area. Foxtons has thousands of properties to choose from to help make the relocation process seamless. They even offer continued support after the move is complete.

Prime Lettings

Signing up for Foxtons Prime Lettings means working with a dedicated team of managers and negotiators. Both landlords and tenants will have a dedicated point of contact from the moment they register throughout the entire tenancy. 

Prime Sales

When it comes to selling and buying properties, Foxtons Prime Sales team has over 35 years of experience brokering some of the area’s finest and rarest properties. Your listing will include a virtual reality tour and marketing tailored and designed specifically for your property.

B2R and Institutional PRS

If you’re a property investor, Foxtons’ team of 250 PRS specialists working in over 50 connected offices have access to over 18,000 eager tenants in London and across the Home Countries. The team consults with landlords on everything from market seasonality and renewal rates to optimizing rental pricing. 

China Desk 

Foxtons also offers special services for Chinese customers including letting services and residential sales. The in-house team has both Mandarin and Cantonese speakers to cater to all client needs.

 

Advertising Outlets

Whether you’re selling a property or looking for tenants, Foxtons markets your listing on some of the most well-known property portals including Rightmove, Zoopla, and Primelocation. Your listing is also featured on Foxtons’ website which is one of the most visited estate agent websites in London. 

You’ll also receive advertising on Facebook and £500 worth of premium advertising. Targeted email alerts and real-time updates will ensure you never miss an offer. Professional photography, a detailed listing description, and a floor plan help showcase your property in the best light possible.

Regulatory Affiliations

Foxtons prides itself on offering fee transparency and following the strictest code of practice. This is why the company is registered with many of the key governing bodies that ensure reliable, legal, and honest service.

These include:

• The Property Ombudsman (TPO) 
• ARLA Propertymark (The Association of Residential Letting Agents)
• NAEA Propertymark (The National Association of Estate Agents)
• My Deposits (Tenancy Deposit Protection Scheme) 
• Safeagent 
• Cyber Essentials (Cyber Essentials Scheme)

Awards and Recognition

In an effort to remain one of the best estate agents in London, Foxtons works to improve the industry through challenge and change. Their efforts haven’t gone unnoticed. Foxtons has received numerous awards and recognition over its long career as one of the top agencies in the area.

Here are just a few of their notable accomplishments:

• Best International Estate Agency Website, Best UK Lettings Agency, Best Estate Agency in London, and Best Estate Agency Website in the UK (UK International Property Awards 2016)
• Best UK Large Lettings Agency and Best Website (The Sunday Times Lettings Awards 2016)
• Best Large Lettings Agency (The Estate Agency of the Year Awards 2015)
• Best In Industry: Real Estate Website (New Media Awards 2015)
• Best Customer Service, Best Website, Best Large Estate Agency, and Shortlisted New Homes (The Estate Agency of the Year Awards 2014)

Time and again Foxtons is recognized as a leading estate and letting agency in the local area. As one of the largest agencies on our list, Foxtons is constantly expanding, developing, and improving the customer experience. 

With a state-of-the-art website design, it’s never been easier to navigate properties for buyers, sellers, renters, and landlords. 

 

Your Move

Your Move is a UK estate agency with branches across the nation. They offer basic buying, selling, and letting services. Established in the 1980s as General Accident, Your Move was rebranded in 1999 and since has grown into a major force in the residential marketplace. Your Move places special importance on customer service and clear communication. 

Fees and Services

Your Move offers the same basic services as most London estate agents. These include services for homeowners looking to buy or sell their property, landlords looking to let out a property, and tenants in search of a rental.

Fees vary based on the type of services and how much support you need. Your Move is one of the many London estate agencies that don’t provide pricing on their website.

Companies like this want you to contact them before discussing a price or percentage fees. This is done for several reasons. 

Some agencies believe not offering pricing upfront motivates interested clients to contact them. On the other hand, this turns some property owners away. Those who want to know upfront what they can expect to pay find websites with no pricing suspicious. 

Another reason some agencies like Your Move don’t list their prices is because they can vary drastically based on the property’s value, location, and the services you need. 

Some of Your Move’s services include:

• Buyers (new homes, auction, land, Spanish properties)
• Sellers (sell by auction, free valuations, sold home prices, 360-degree virtual viewing, professional marketing package)
• Renters (rental listings, reviews from tenants, student services)
• Landlords (fully managed, rent collection, finding tenants, property inventory, valuations, professional marketing package)

 

Special Services

In addition to the standard services for property owners, buyers, renters, and landlords, Your Move also offers mortgages and insurance.

Mortgages 

Your Move works with Embrace Financial Services to help offer buyers mortgage options. Advisers and experts work alongside buyers during the entire process to help them secure an affordable mortgage that makes sense for their needs and budget.

Insurance

Unlike many other estate agencies, Your Move offers insurance to help you protect your investment. You can choose from a variety of policies including landlord insurance, home insurance, and protection insurance. All policies are offered through Embrace Financial Services.

Advertising Outlets

Your Move offers professional marketing packages that include 360-degree virtual viewing listings, photography, floorplans, and targeted Facebook advertising.

Properties are listed on all the major property portals including Rightmove and Zoopla. If you’re willing to pay and want maximum exposure, you can also secure premium listings on these sites.

 

Awards and Recognition 

Your Move was a finalist in The Property Reporter Awards for Best Letting Agency of 2020. Your Move also won GOLD at the British Property Awards in 2017 for its Hinckley location. In 2016, team member Sue Petty (Your Move franchisee) was recognized at the Bexley Business Excellence Awards. Petty received the Business Commitment and Community Award.

 

Dexters

Dexters is one of the leading independent estate agencies in London. It currently has 70 offices across London, 35 of which are located in Central London. Dexters offers a variety of services from residential sales and lettings to corporate and international relocation services. 

Dexter’s team of in-house experts is trained in dealing with every aspect of the London property market including working with local, national, and overseas clients. Dexters also invests in long-term career development for its team members with more than 90% of all managers coming from the company’s own training program. 

Fees and Services

Dexters offers a variety of services for landlords, property investors, and homeowners. They’re also one of the top estate agencies for corporate customers as well as residential property owners. Here’s a quick breakdown of the services they offer. 

• Free valuations
• Sales and letting (new homes and apartments in London)
• Corporate lettings and relocation
• Property and block management

Dexter’s fees vary greatly depending on the type of service, size of the property, and if you own a residential or commercial piece of property. Valuations are always free and give you a better idea of what your property is worth. Landlords and property owners can take advantage of Dexter’s letting and management services to simplify the process. Dexter’s also specializes in selling and letting period homes and finding land and development opportunities. 

Special Services

Dexters does more than just help you let or sell a property. They also provide a variety of special services including:

• Charted surveyors
• Corporate relocation
• Design and refurbishment
• Financial services 
• Land and development
• Leasehold extensions
• Investment opportunities 

Advertising Outlets

Dexters offers bespoke marketing to provide maximum exposure. With over 3,000 sales per year, the team at Dexters tailors every marketing campaign to fit the customer’s unique needs. The company uses its own in-house photographers to create breathtaking photos, floor plans, and a brochure for every client. Advertising designers guarantee that your property will look as good in pictures as it does in person.

Dexter advertises properties throughout London and internationally. Locally, they advertise using the Evening Standard, other London magazines and papers, as well as the national press. Dexters also has its own magazine where it showcases new properties and listings, as well as on the website. 

Regulatory Affiliations

As the leading independent estate agency in London, Dexters has several regulatory affiliations including:

• Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS). 
• The Property Ombudsman (TPO)
• Tenancy Deposit Scheme (TDS)
• The Association of Residential Lettings Agents (ARLA)

Inclusion in these organizations shows that Dexters is a professional, reliable company that acts with integrity. 

Awards and Recognition 

With both residential and corporate clients around the world, Dexters has earned its fair share of awards and recognition. Here are a few of the agency’s most notable achievements. 

• Large Lettings Agent of the Year 2018 (Negotiator Awards)
• London Estate Agent of the Year 2018 (Negotiator Awards)
• Residential Agent of the Year 2018 (PROPs Awards)
• UK’s Most Highly Recommended Estate Agent 2020 (based on YouGov’s Brand Index rankings)
• Best London Estate Agent 2021 
• UK’s Best Letting Agency 2021

 

Winkworth

Winkworth is an international estate and letting agency that’s been in business since 1835. Their agents take a unique approach to matching people with properties. With years of experience in the local community, Winkworth has a pulse on the local market and community. The company’s business model guarantees that every agent is an independent professional. 

Winkworth offers both local and international services including buying, selling, and letting for residential and commercial properties. 

Fees and Services

As with most other estate agencies, fees and services vary greatly depending on numerous factors including the property location, size, value, and what services you need. Here’s a breakdown of Winkworth’s basic services.

• Residential sales and letting
• Commercial property
• Corporate services
• Property management 

Winkworth also specializes in new London homes, land, and country houses. 

Special Services

In addition to the basic services listed above, clients can utilize Winkworth for a variety of other things including:

• Appraisals
• Mortgages
• Tips, tutorials, and guides

Winkworth’s international services extend to China and Spain. The agency also offers help and services to land developers, property investors, first-time buyers, and vendors. 

Advertising Outlets

Winkworth provides clients with both online and print advertising opportunities. Properties are advertised on all major property portals including Rightmove. Your property is also listed on the agency’s website, which is mobile-friendly and easy to navigate, making it simple for interested buyers and tenants to find and view your listing. All listings are also advertised in local publications including Country Life, The Daily Telegraph, The Daily Times, and the Financial Times. 

Winkworth also provides every client with a beautiful brochure filled with high-quality photographs. The property description is carefully written to captivate and inspire buyers. Winkworth uses a unique form of photography and a special writing approach to bring each property to life on the page.

Winkworth also prides itself on its own internal marketing efforts. The team works closely with other local agencies and neighboring businesses to get the word out about your property. The agency’s unique software program seamlessly matches interested buyers and tenants with the perfect property, both locally and across the country. 

Regulatory Affiliations

Winkworth is committed to self-regulation. All franchised offices are required to register with the Property Redress Scheme for both sales and lettings. Businesses are also encouraged to be licensed by other self-regulatory organizations including Safeagent and the National Association of Estate Agents (NAEA).

All Winkworth offices that provide letting services are required to put a CMP (Client Money Protection) in place. This complies with The Consumer Rights Act of 2015. Offices must also display a copy of their certificate on the company’s homepage.

Awards and Recognition 

In 2018 and 2019, two of Winkworth’s offices (Blackheath and Greenwich) won 3 Gold awards at the British Property Awards including:

• Best Letting Agent in London Overall
• Best Letting Estate Agent in Britain
• Letting Agent in SE3

In 2019, the Blackheath office was also recognized as Estate Agent of the Year. 

The Winkworth Chislehurst office made its own headlines in 2018-2019  by receiving the Best Letting Agent in South London award and the Best Letting Agent in Chiselhurst. They also received the title of Best Estate Agent in Chiselhurst in 2019.

The popular property portal Rightmove recognized Winkworth’s excellence, with reports ranking the Blackheath office as number one for sales agreed out of all other agencies in the area from 2014 until 2019. They also ranked number one in let’s agreed in 2019. Other notable acknowledgments include Winkworth Greenwich ranking number one for sales agreed in 2019 and Winkworth Chislehurst earning the number three spot for new instructions and sales agreed in the local area.

 

Compare Estate Agents in London to Find the Perfect Fit

With so many estate agents in London claiming to be the best and offering a wide range of services, it can be difficult finding the right one. Navigating their websites, pricing, and packages can seem like more trouble than its worth.

In addition, there’s a new wave of hybrid and online estate & letting agents. This includes the popular Purplebricks as well as a host of other smaller challenger agents utilising low fees, attempting to take business away from the traditional agents.

Using a website like Rentround lets you easily compare estate agents in your local area. It takes the guesswork out of buying, selling, and letting property by providing a comparison of fees and services by giving you the exact information you want with the push of a button!