Estate agents’ practices come almost bottom of concerns among both the UK adult population as a whole and aspiring home owners.

While estate agents’ fees were more of an issue, they were nevertheless considered less of a worry than, for example, negative equity, being able to pay the mortgage and the availability of houses to buy.

The survey of 2,527 UK adults by lobbying group the HomeOwners Alliance tested responses on 15 possible issues to do with the housing market. The results seem to show that the public generally might not share the media’s view of the industry.

Estate agents’ fees came eight in the list, cited as a concern by 22% of home owners and 24% of aspiring purchasers.

The survey showed, however, that estate agent practices came in 12th place when it came to concerns about the housing market.

The only two issues which merited less concern for home owners were quality of housing stock and gazumping.

The aspiring home owners also rated estate agents’ practices as 12th in their list of worries. They put gazumping and Stamp Duty rates as the least worrying.

Top concerns for all adults, including aspiring home purchasers, were the ability for first-time buyers to get on the housing ladder; saving for a deposit; and house prices.

The survey was done by YouGov in March, and was sponsored by conveyancing firm myhomemove.