Like every industry Estate Agency has its share of rogues, but most are just like everyone else trying to support a family in these difficult times with the added pressure that they could lose their job. House prices are often pushed up by the greedy vendor and not always by the agent.

Caroline Pierce, Oxford, UK

Estate Agents are one of a handful of businesses that give an early warning signal regarding the countries economy.

Currently the banks are holding the country to ransom devaluing most peoples main asset and their own security!. Combine this with oil prices and you have a perfect storm.

G Williams, Bristol, UK

The Estate agents are a big contributer to the boom & bust mess we find ourselves in every 10 - 15 years. Their profits are linked to house prices so they push them up. I worry about the thousands of bricklayers, groundworkers, joiners, electricans etc who are now out of work, not the Estate Agents.

Steve Townsend, Birmingham, UK

It never ceases to amaze me how many people are still so negative (if not down right abusive) towards people who OFFER a service. I cannot recall seeing a law anywhere that tells people it is compulsory to use an estate agents service? Spain still charges 10%. No, I am NOT an estate agent!

Rob Clark, Reading, UK

Ultimately market forces will prevail and the strongest agents will survive. However I have been using a site called PROPERTYHAT.com which is AMAZING. It does everything an agent does but it is TOTALLY FREE to use. You can BUY and SELL. It is the market leader in my opinion.

Allan Willis, High Wycombe, England

How sadly predictable is the string of messages gloating about this news.

Estate agents are just businesses - there are good ones and bad ones, like any other high street business.

But they all employ ordinary people who will lose their livelihoods and these people deserve some sympathy.

Michael, Blackburn,

Had the so called "Professionals" conducted themselves professionally then they would not be in the position that they are in.
They could try working for a living; I have no sympathy for them at all.

mossy, jersey,

Take a look in the mirror. Agents only reflect their clients GREED !!!

James, Sidford, UK

Humberts lost £17 million? You would have to go on 3 day seminar to be that incompetent.

Tough - time for may to join the real world

terry, L'Absie, France

How perverse to raise your charges in times of a declining market and when the market (of agencies) is in oversupply.

Soon the interweb will take the rest down too.

Booooo hooooooo.

Tom Taylor-Duxbury, Ludlow, UK

You don't hear them moaning when house prices are going up! I fail to see how they could be in so much difficulty when house prices are so much higher than they were a few years ago, even if there is a slow down, they are still making more now than they were 10 years ago.

Paul D, Southampton,

You reap what you sow . Thankfully .

Benzo, Nr Chelmsford,

They were quite happy to rake in the money when property prices were increasing faster than inflation.

S2art, Cambridge,

During the last property slump the internet was still in its infancy, hence estate agents survived. However a great many may go under this time as there are websites where houses can be advertised for a nominal sum, obviating the need to pay an estate agent for the privilege of being on rightmove.

Paul, Coventry,

My heart bleeds for them

George, Richmond,

Can't really say I'm gutted . . . I managed to cut out these leeches when I sold my maisonette in W10 directly to the buyer at the tail-end of last year.

The more professional ones can be worth their weight in gold but most of them are winging it and I'm glad to say I helped stick it to 'em . . .

Ray, London,

Recently thought of selling our house, was told to barter with the agents as they were desperate they were quite uncompetitive but found a website www.estateagencyfeesdirect.com where I think the estate agents have to compete for selling your home ended up saving a possible £800 but still yet to sell!!

Gavin, Coulsdon,

I want everyone to put their hands together and kneel in silent prayer for all of the estate agents out there.

Alison Clooney, Leeds,

What delightful news. We can only hope that Foxtons is next. House buying will be more honest and we will once again be safe to walk the streets without fear of being killed by a Foxton loony agent in the company Mini.

Laura Roberts, London, UK