Connells is to continue listing its approximately 30,000 group properties on ZPG’s two portals Zoopla and PrimeLocation after signing a “multi-year” deal, although both sides will not disclose how long it is to last because of “business confidentiality”.

ZPG has said that the marketing agreement covers all Connells’ brands including both its different high street brands as well as online agency Hatched, which it bought in November 2015.

Connells describes itself as the UK’s second largest estate agency group after Countrywide and operates 600 estate agency and lettings branches across the UK.

Its branches include the eponymously branded ones as well as those operated under the Ashley Adams, Atkinson Stilgoe, Burchell Edwards, Gascoigne Halman, Hurfords, Pattinson Lane, Paul Dubberley, Peter Allen, Rook Matthews Sayers, Sharman Quinney and the ten Sequence brands it acquired in 2003.

Connells, ZPG history

Connells was a founding shareholder in Zoopla in 2010 and, through its agency Gascoigne Halman, took OnTheMarket to court earlier this year arguing that its ‘one other portal’ rule was anti-competitive – but lost the long-winded and expensive case when a tribunal voted in OnTheMarket’s favour.

The company also sold some of its holdings in ZPG this year for £17 million, helping boost its pre-tax profits to £73.4 million, its most recent account show.

“Connells are an important partner for ZPG and we are delighted to be extending our relationship for the long term,” says ZPG’s CEO Alex Chesterman (pictured, left).

“There are clear opportunities for both businesses as a result of this new agreement and we look forward to continuing to ensure that Connells’ customers get the best exposure for their properties and Connells has access to the most effective services in the market.”

Last month ZPG signed up Connells’ rival Countrywide to a similar but this time three-year deal.