Estate agency job vacancies reach 1,300 across England

Estate agency job vacancies in England have reached approximately 1,300, with London accounting for nearly one-third of all advertised positions, according to new research.

Analysis by EXP of job listings on recruitment platform Reed examined estate agency roles across 15 major cities. The data reveals 1,274 positions currently advertised, with London representing 413 vacancies, or 32.4% of the total.

Regional distribution

Birmingham accounts for the second-highest share of vacancies at 7.6%, followed by Manchester at 3.5% and Bristol at 3.2%. Nottingham represents 2.4% of advertised positions, with Leeds at 2%, Bradford at 1.8%, and Liverpool at 1.6%.

Adam Day, Head of EXP UK and Europe, commented: “It’s somewhat surprising to see traditional estate agencies crying out for staff to this extent, particularly when the market itself has been operating at a more measured pace.”

The high concentration of vacancies in London is notable given that the capital’s property market has experienced slower conditions during the first half of 2025, according to EXP’s analysis.

Declining workforce

The recruitment demand contrasts with recent data showing significant reductions in estate agency headcount. Earlier this year, analysis of the estate agency sector highlighted operational challenges facing traditional firms.

Figures from prime agency Jefferies London, based on Statista employment data, showed the number of estate agents and auctioneers fell from 62,400 in the final quarter of 2024 to 57,700 in the first quarter of 2025. By the second quarter of 2025, this figure had dropped to 53,800.

The decline has been attributed in part to companies adopting artificial intelligence to handle administrative functions, reducing the need for certain roles whilst creating demand for others.

The disparity between falling overall headcount and high vacancy numbers suggests a potential mismatch in the labour market, with firms possibly seeking to fill specific roles or replace departing staff in key locations. The concentration of vacancies in London and other major cities may also reflect higher staff turnover in urban markets where economic conditions and living costs affect workforce retention.