The number of real estate employees in the UK working from home has dropped by almost half in the space of a year.

According to latest government figures, 9.3% of the sector’s workforce were yet to return to the office in January. That compares to 16.9% in January 2022, and signals a continuing change in culture as the effects of the Covid pandemic continue to wane.

The official government report surveyed 10,000 business across the UK on working patterns, including 130 firms in the real estate sector.

And while a further 26.1% of estate agents were using a hybrid model – where workers spend some of the week in the office and some at home – as many 59.5% had returned to the office full time.

Gavin Brown, director of Speak With Impact, said a return to the office environment will present “challenges and opportunities” for real estate firms.

“Some workers may need supported in regaining confidence to deal face-to-face with others again, and those at the top level will need to brush up on their presentation skills again,” he said.

“For those who get that right, there will be many opportunities to expand business and contacts, using the few positives from Covid in terms of technology while ramping up activity in person too.”