Frequently Asked Questions

The EAN is a network of non-competing, independent estate agencies across the UK who believe in doing the right things for their clients, colleagues, communities and the planet.

If you’re an ethically minded agent who takes their responsibilities seriously, the EAN offers six pillars of support that can help you and your agency get a whole lot better. The six pillars help our members build better, more sustainable businesses, have a bigger, more positive impact and be part of a supportive and select network of like-minded agency owners.

We have a strict application process that assesses an agency’s reviews and customer feedback. We also gauge whether they’re the right fit for the EAN (and vice versa) during initial calls. We consult our Advisory Team for their opinions on new applications, look at an agency’s values, and we require members to sign up to a code of ethics that we call the EAN Promise. We’re in no rush to grow the network, so our focus is firmly on quality over quantity.

You can find out more by visiting the Joining Criteria page on this website.

Like we said before, the Ethical Agent Network isn’t for everyone. Even some of your potential clients won’t be swayed by it. But some will. And that’s where the magic happens. We provide you with the seal of approval and marketing materials to highlight you can be trusted in an industry that suffers from an often-negative reputation. For some of your clients, this will be the difference that has an impact on who they instruct.

We’ve always been clear that being ethical and entrepreneurial aren’t mutually exclusive. They can work very well together – as many of our members prove time and time again.

Being a member of the EAN gives you a clear mark of distinction that you do the right things – and that alone brings opportunities.

Other benefits include savings from partners and suppliers, a source of income from referrals to fellow members and huge cost efficiencies when it comes to training your team.

If your application is approved, your monthly membership fee (based on exclusivity for three postcode districts) is £299+VAT per month. We aim to take no more than one week from the date of your application to make a decision.

Of course – it’s something to be proud of. We provide you with a membership certificate, news release and article templates to announce your acceptance, stickers for your office windows and an easy-to-use digital marketing pack covering use on your email signatures, website and social media.

The Karma Club started with our Estate Agent Content Club business and has proven to be very popular and rewarding for everyone involved.

Every month, we take £10 from each EAN member’s subscription and add it to a digital ‘kitty.’ We then ask our EAN members if they have a community group or local charity they wish to support that month.

Through our Karma Club donations, we usually have a budget of £250-300 each month to match EAN members’ donations of £100 that they want to make to local good causes.

For example, if you want to support the local school’s “Buy a Book for a Child” campaign – your agency donates £100 – we match that with £100, and the school receives £200 to help children, creating a win-win situation for everyone.

First and foremost, you earn the trust by winning the EAN stamp of approval — a visible sign that sets you apart as an Ethical Agent and helps you win more instructions.

From there, your membership delivers value every single day of the year:

Daily – Access to a supportive WhatsApp group of like-minded independent agents, 24/7 entry to the Content Vault, exclusive discounts and deals from trusted industry partners, and promotional materials such as window stickers, brochures and digital assets to showcase your EAN accreditation.

Weekly – Fresh content packages, breaking news updates, and our “Members’ Monday” webinars to keep you one step ahead.

Fortnightly – Collaborative, tight-knit mastermind sessions and PR & marketing activity that helps raise your agency’s profile in the public eye.

Monthly – A training masterclass with leading experts from inside and outside the estate agency world.

Quarterly – Topical 8-page guides that position you as the go-to expert in your area.

Every Six Months – A professional mystery shop to check and improve your standards, and a 1-hour marketing critique clinic to sharpen your strategy.

Annual – Our flagship members’ conference, packed with learning, networking and inspiration. And a review of how your membership of the EAN can be improved to work for the benefit of your agency.

All this is backed by exclusive territory protection (up to three postcode districts — more by arrangement), ensuring you’re the only EAN-accredited agent in your patch.

We attract independent agencies with one to three offices who seek to be the agents of choice in a defined area. The EAN works best for agencies that offer sales and lettings services.

Our members’ area exclusivity is important to us. And that’s why we’re strict about it. When a member joins, they must only actively market within the three postcode districts they are licensed for.

We take our members’ postcode exclusivity very seriously. We would assess this on a case-by-case basis but you wouldn’t be able to actively promote your membership in an existing member’s core areas. We do encourage collaboration among neighbouring members as it’s shown to work for both parties.

Nope. Nah. Never. We’re all about the give-back rather than the kick-back. We insist that our members get a great level of service delivered in a fair and transparent way. That’s all we want.

Twelve months – with a guarantee that if you’re unhappy with the service and we’re not delivering on our promises, you’re free to leave before then.

If something is brought to us which brings the integrity of an agent or the EAN into question we will carry out a thorough, yet balanced review.

Noooooooooooo. We do an annual review at the end of the first year. Then, if you’re happy, the contract rolls over to a month-by-month basis.

We ask that members wishing to leave give us one month’s notice in writing. This applies after the initial 12-month contract (a simple email suffices).

We’ve brought together some of the brightest minds and most ethical and generous people in the industry to help guide and direct the evolution of the Ethical Agent Network.

Asad Riaz – Founder of multi-award-winning London agency Location Location and one of the smartest guys in any room.

Vicky Bibiris – Managing Director of Location Location with a huge passion for developing people and teams.

Nick Cheshire – Founder of Nest in Essex, and a rising star, full of bright ideas and clever implementation.

Abigail Grey – Owner of Grey & Co who leads from the front and has built an enviable agency that does the right things across the board.

Spencer Lawrence – The chief at one of the UK’s leading letting agencies, Paramount Properties. Spencer’s built a team that is among the very best in the highly competitive world of lettings.

Dave Gibbons – Owner of Courtyard Homes and has managed to build a highly successful agency that runs smoothly without daily input from him.

Luke St Clair – Director and owner of Knightsbridge Estate Agents & Valuers, and one of the nicest and cleverest guys in estate agency.

Michelle Gallagher – JDG Estates – Double award-winning national estate agent of the year. Michelle is among the best of the very best.

In 2030 we want our members to look at their monthly invoice from us and say ‘that’s the best value subscription we have’. Because we understand that when you are valued, you’re valuable.

Unfortunately not. The EAN is for non-competing, independent estate agents.

Within six months of your agency’s initial application. We will offer help in getting you up to the EAN standards, if requested.

Yes, if you think they’re an ethical fit, we’d love to have an initial chat with them. Word of mouth is an important way that we learn about agents who share our values and ethics.

If we’re looking at making a big, fundamental decision, we’ll always consult and listen to members first.

Our Advisory Team have more than 200 years of estate agency experience and are consulted on many areas linked to membership. Ultimately, we’ll always be open, honest and fair.

If it’s a decision you fundamentally oppose you are free to leave at any time (including within the first 12 months of the contract).

Yes – if the postcodes are available for membership. Prices for more than the standard three postcode districts are available by getting in touch with us.

The Ethical Agent Network’s Promise

We promise to always act in our members’ best interests.

We promise to be totally upfront about our membership fees – they’re £299+VAT per month per three postcode districts.

We promise to tell the truth – simple.

We promise to do the right thing even if it costs us time, money, or both.

We promise not to work with a member’s rivals during their membership – we’re on your side.

We promise fair terms of business – An initial 12-month contract – One month’s notice period after the initial 12-month period – And we do an annual review not an auto-renew.

We promise to pay our bills on time.