Do You Need an Estate Agent to Sell Your Property in the UK?

Once sellers understand what Nestive is, the next question is often straightforward:

Do you actually need an estate agent to sell a property in the UK?

The short answer is no.

Estate agents can be useful — but they are not legally required.

Understanding this distinction helps sellers decide what level of support they genuinely need.

What the Law Actually Requires

To sell a residential property in the UK, there is only one professional you must legally instruct:

A solicitor or licensed conveyancer.

They are responsible for:

• Preparing and issuing contracts
• Handling searches and enquiries
• Managing exchange of contracts
• Completing the legal transfer of ownership

Without a solicitor or conveyancer, a sale cannot legally complete.

There is no legal requirement to instruct an estate agent.

Why Estate Agents Became the Default

Estate agents became central to the selling process not because of legal necessity, but because of access.

Historically:

• Property advertising was designed for agents
• Major portals were not available to private sellers
• Sellers relied on agents to reach buyers

As a result, the ability to advertise became confused with the legal requirement to sell.

This made estate agency feel mandatory — even when it wasn't.

What Estate Agents Actually Do

Estate agents typically provide:

• Marketing and advertising
• Handling enquiries
• Conducting or arranging viewings
• Passing offers between parties

Some also offer sales progression support, though this is not universal and is often outsourced.

These services can be valuable for sellers who want a fully managed experience — but they are service choices, not legal obligations.

What Estate Agents Do Not Do

It's important to understand what agents are not responsible for:

• They do not carry out legal work
• They do not prepare contracts
• They do not handle buyer or seller funds
• They do not control exchange or completion

Once an offer is accepted, the transaction becomes a legal process led by solicitors — regardless of how the property was advertised.

So When Is an Estate Agent Useful?

An estate agent may be the right choice if you:

• Want minimal involvement
• Prefer not to manage viewings
• Are unfamiliar with your local market
• Value convenience over cost savings

For many sellers, this support justifies the commission.

When Is an Estate Agent Not Essential?

An agent may be unnecessary if you:

• Are comfortable dealing directly with buyers
• Are happy to manage enquiries and viewings
• Understand your property's value
• Want control over how your home is marketed

In these cases, the key requirement is access to advertising — not agency services.

Where Nestive Fits

Nestive exists to provide what private sellers historically lacked: a dedicated place to advertise property directly to buyers.

Nestive does not act as an estate agent and does not replace solicitors.

It simply removes the assumption that agency is the only route to market.

Understanding Your Options

Selling a property doesn't require choosing sides.

It requires understanding:

• What is legally required
• What is optional
• What level of support suits you

Once sellers understand this, they can make an informed decision — rather than following tradition by default.