Gavel — How Property Auctions Work

The process

Five steps to the hammer

Whether you're bidding in the room or online, the journey is the same.

1

Register

Create a free bidder account, verify ID, and receive your paddle number.

2

View

Book a viewing and download the legal pack to review with your solicitor.

3

Bid

Bid in the room, by phone, by proxy, or live online up to your limit.

4

Win

When the gavel falls in your favour, contracts exchange on the spot.

5

Complete

Pay the deposit, then complete on the agreed date — usually 28 days.

Bidder reviewing a property catalogue at a desk

Step 1 & 2 · Before the sale

Do your homework

Once registered, you'll have full access to each lot's legal pack — title documents, searches, leases, and special conditions of sale. We strongly recommend instructing a solicitor to review the pack and arranging finance in advance, because there is no cooling-off period once you've won. Viewings are open to all registered bidders.

Browse the catalogue

Auctioneer raising a gavel in an auction room

Step 3 & 4 · On the day

Bid with a clear head

Set a maximum and stick to it. Bidding moves quickly in fixed increments set by the auctioneer. If bidding reaches the reserve, the lot will sell. When the hammer falls you are legally committed: you'll sign the memorandum of sale and pay the deposit immediately. Can't attend? Bid live online, by telephone, or leave a proxy bid.

Register to bid

New owner holding keys outside a property

Step 5 · After the hammer

Complete and collect the keys

You'll typically pay a 10% deposit on the day plus the buyer's administration fee. Completion follows on the date stated in the special conditions — most commonly 28 days later, though some lots complete sooner. Your solicitor handles the transfer of funds and title, and the property is yours.

Costs explained

Fees at a glance

No hidden charges. Here's what a successful bidder can expect to pay. Exact figures are confirmed in each lot's special conditions.

Charge	When it applies	Typical amount
Deposit	Paid on the fall of the hammer	10% of the hammer price
Buyer's admin fee	Payable by the successful bidder	£1,500 + VAT
Legal pack fee	Some lots, stated in the pack	£0 – £350
Stamp duty (SDLT)	On completion, where applicable	Per HMRC bands
Bidder registration	To obtain a paddle number	Free

Good to know

Frequently asked questions

The questions first-time bidders ask us most often.

A guide price is an indication of where the reserve is likely to sit. It is not a valuation and the reserve can be set up to 10% above a single-figure guide. Guide prices may be revised before the sale.

The reserve is the minimum confidential price the seller will accept. If bidding does not reach the reserve, the lot will not sell on the day — but we may negotiate a post-auction sale on your behalf.

Yes. Because contracts exchange on the hammer, you must be able to pay the deposit immediately and complete within the stated period. Have a mortgage agreement in principle or cleared funds ready before you bid.

Absolutely. You can bid live online through our platform, by telephone with a member of our team, or leave a maximum proxy bid that we execute on your behalf. All remote bidders must register and verify ID first.

You'll sign the memorandum of sale, pay the deposit and buyer's fee, and the property is legally yours to complete. Our team guides you through every form on the day, and your solicitor manages completion.

How property auctions work