Zoopla sees record number of househunters on its sites

The company, which also runs Primelocation, SmartNewHomes and HomesOverseas, reported a 37 per cent surge in traffic to its four sites during the six months to March 31, with 39.9 million average monthly visits. The firm added this growth came across its mobile apps as well as its websites.

The business also said its profits rose 26 per cent during the period to £18.7m, while revenues lifted by the same percentage to £38.3m. The firm added it would pay an interim dividend of £14m.

There has been market speculation that Zoopla will be among the next property companies to go public, following Foxtons’ successful float last year. This could value the company at more than £1bn. A float at around this price could net founder and chief executive Alex Chesterman, who started the firm seven years ago, a fortune of £100m.

Zoopla has benefited from rising house prices and transaction levels, as the improving property market has been buoyed by Government initiatives such as the Help to Buy scheme.

The company, majority owned by Daily Mail & General Trust, makes money by charging estate agents and other property firms subscription fees to advertise their listings across its sites.