Estate and letting agents are becoming more confident about their own businesses while losing faith in politicians’ ability to tackle the housing crisis, according to new industry research.
The latest Voice of the Agent study found net business confidence across the sector has risen from +7% to +16%, with 47% of agencies expecting their businesses to continue growing despite wider economic uncertainty.
However, the improving commercial outlook contrasts with agents’ views of Westminster, with 43% unable to identify a single political party they trust most on housing.
No individual party commands the confidence of even one in six agents, according to the seventh report in the Voice of the Agent 2026 research series, which combines industry research with YouGov consumer data.
The findings suggest confidence has strengthened for a second consecutive year, although agencies’ expectations are increasingly centred on measured and sustainable growth rather than rapid expansion.
Sentiment towards house prices also remained positive across every UK region. Scotland recorded the highest level of confidence at +23%, followed by the North West at +21%.
However, prospective movers were less optimistic than the wider public about future house prices for the first time since 2024.
Simon Leadbetter, curator of The Voice of the Agent, said: “Politics and economics now shape estate agency as much as marketing, technology or portals. Agents aren’t looking for ideology. They’re looking for stability, credible housing policy and economic competence.
“The profession remains optimistic about its own future, but remarkably sceptical that any political party currently has the answers to Britain’s housing challenges.”
The report concludes that as the property market becomes more stable, agents increasingly believe success will depend on understanding interest rates, inflation, politics and international markets alongside traditional agency skills.
The findings are based on 351 responses collected through The Voice of the Agent, weighted against an independently recruited random sample of 90 UK estate and letting agents conducted by Find Out Now, alongside nationally representative YouGov consumer research.
Comments (2)
Pot calling the kettle black?
The two least trusted professions in the view of consumers.
Estate agency is obsessed with systems, so perhaps instead of asking those that broke the system to fix it, do it internally?
The systems are only there due to constant Government interference with new laws and compliance. Also to protect our businesses.