Buying and selling of own real estate: UK companies
261,131 live UK companies list buying and selling of own real estate as their main trade, or 4.6% of the register. It ranks 2nd among the 60 trades we cover. 40,327 of those companies were formed in 2025, against 4,585 still live from 2015. 8,818 (3.4%) have a proposal to strike off on file, below the UK figure of 7.3%.
Where they're registered
Where this trade is unusually common
The town's share of this trade, compared with its share of all UK companies.
By year formed
Only companies still live are counted, so older years look smaller. 2026 stops on 1 November 2026.
20122026
See every year as a table
| Year | Live companies |
|---|---|
| 2012 | 1,772 |
| 2013 | 2,395 |
| 2014 | 3,246 |
| 2015 | 4,585 |
| 2016 | 6,986 |
| 2017 | 10,538 |
| 2018 | 11,954 |
| 2019 | 14,321 |
| 2020 | 17,941 |
| 2021 | 20,377 |
| 2022 | 19,902 |
| 2023 | 22,162 |
| 2024 | 31,793 |
| 2025 | 40,327 |
| 2026 | 30,420 |
Oldest active companies in this trade
- Vernon Investments (1856)Formed 1856
- Reigate Investment CompanyFormed 1863
- Gillingham Pottery Brick and Tile CompanyFormed 1865
- Reigate Stock Share and Estates CompanyFormed 1870
- Sutton-In-Ashfield Town Hall CompanyFormed 1876
Related by size
- Other letting and operating of own or leased real estate
- Management consultancy activities other than financial management
- Retail sale via mail order houses or via Internet
- Information technology consultancy activities
Trade means the first Standard Industrial Classification code (SIC 68100) a company declares. Companies choose their own codes. Figures come from Companies House on 1 November 2026.