Rightmove reports 7% revenue rise as £2.3 m legal costs loom over £1.5 bn competition claim

Rightmove disclosed that it expects to incur £2.3 million in legal and professional fees this year in connection with a class‑action lawsuit alleging anti‑competitive behaviour. The claim, valued at about £1.5 billion, was brought by former Competition and Markets Authority panel member Jeremy Newman and is scheduled for a hearing on 2‑3 November before the Competition Appeal Tribunal.

In the same half‑year results, the UK property portal said revenue grew 7 % year‑on‑year to £225.8 million and operating profit rose to £148.2 million. Rightmove highlighted progress on AI‑driven products, including a conversational “Ask Rightmove” experience and AI‑enabled online valuations that boosted unique valuation leads by roughly 50 %. The company noted a 42 % slump in its share price this year, partly attributed to the legal action.

Rightmove maintains that the competition claim is without merit and that it will defend it vigorously, stating confidence in the value it provides to estate agents and consumers in the UK housing market.