A former Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) panel member has lodged legal action in the Competition Appeal Tribunal today (1 April) against online property giant Rightmove, seeking damages of £1.5bn over “unfair subscription fees”.
The claim, brought by accountant Jeremy Newman, was announced in November, when the damages being sought were £1bn for thousands of estate agents.
The claim is fully funded by Innsworth Capital, with legal support from Scott+Scott UK and independent economic analysis by Kairos Economics.
The legal team cited Rightmove data that showed around 80% of all consumer time spent on UK property portals is focused on its platform.
Scott+Scott partner James Hain-Cole said: “For years, thousands of businesses have been captive customers of Rightmove, which faces no effective competition. It’s therefore been allowed to financially squeeze subscribers by consistently and materially raising prices without proper justification or explanation.”
Newman added: “There has been an extremely encouraging response from estate agents since we announced this legal action. The stories shared by businesses both small and large have confirmed long-held concerns in the market about Rightmove’s conduct.
“Filing this claim today advances the route to meaningful compensation for those businesses who have had very little choice but to absorb excessive fee increases for many years.”
Hain-Cole said: “We’re pleased to have now filed this important legal action and to be supporting Jeremy in seeking redress for thousands of British businesses.”
A Rightmove spokesperson said: “Further to our announcement of 13 November 2025, Rightmove confirms that it is aware of reports that an application to commence collective proceedings against Rightmove has been filed with the Competition Appeal Tribunal.
“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.”
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