New research commissioned by Boon Brokers has revealed widespread concerns over pressure tactics used by estate agents to steer buyers toward in-house mortgage brokers.

The survey, carried out by TLF Research among 1,000 people who have bought a home in the past two years, found that 52% of respondents felt strongly encouraged or required to use the estate agent’s preferred mortgage adviser.

The findings follow the BBC’s Panorama documentary Undercover Estate Agent, which exposed how some agents tie property viewings or offers to the use of their own mortgage services. Boon Brokers’ research confirms these practices are far from isolated.

Four out of five respondents (80%) reported a direct crossover between access to properties and in-house mortgage promotion, with 18% stating that their offer would only be considered if they used the agent’s broker. A further 20% said they were only allowed to view a property under the same condition.

LACK OF REGULATION

Most respondents were unaware of the lack of regulation governing estate agents. While mortgage brokers are overseen by the Financial Conduct Authority and solicitors by the Solicitors Regulation Authority, 85% of those surveyed did not know that estate agents are not subject to any formal regulatory body.

Gerard Boon, Managing Director at Boon Brokers, says: “The summary of the research mounts to one specific public outcry: to restore fairness and transparency in the UK housing market, legislative reform is urgently needed.”

He adds that reforms should prohibit estate agents from holding direct or indirect associations with mortgage brokers to ensure buyers receive impartial, FCA-regulated advice.

VULNERABLE BUYERS

Younger buyers appear especially vulnerable, with 45% of those aged 25 to 44 reporting conditional access to properties, compared to just 6% of over-55s.

Overall, 96% of respondents support stricter regulation of estate agents, and 78% believe they should not have direct ties to mortgage brokers.

Boon says such relationships distort competition, limit consumer choice, and undermine trust.

He adds: “Without reform, the housing market will remain distorted, fuelled by murky in-house relationships and practices that unfairly limit access to homes.”

A petition calling for legislation to ban conditional selling by estate agents is now gathering momentum in response.