UK property auctions have seen a remarkable surge. The market grew by 62.9% between 2021 and 2022 and reached £409.3 million in revenue. Romans Auction, among other prominent auction houses, has been pioneering this progress.
Traditional property sales usually take 3-6 months to complete. Auction sales offer a quicker alternative with a 56-day completion period. The Modern Method of Auction has proven more successful with a 95% completion rate that traditional estate agents can’t match with their 51%.
Interest rates should stabilise in 2025, and property investors are looking for new opportunities. We’ve analysed Romans Auction and nine other leading UK property auction houses to give you the full picture. This comparison will help you make an informed decision when buying or selling at auction.
Romans Auction: A Market Leader’s Profile
Image Source: Romans
Founded in 1987 with a single branch in Bracknell, Romans has grown into one of the UK’s premier property auction houses [1]. The company merged with Leaders in 2016, creating a resilient network of over 300 branches nationwide [2].
Romans Auction History and Growth
A typewriter and rolodex marked the beginning of Romans’ remarkable experience [1]. The company expanded through strategic collaborations and now employs over 3,310 professionals across the country [2]. Their success led to recognition in the Financial Times 1000 fastest growing companies in Europe [3].
Key Services and Specialisations
Romans Auction operates from their Wokingham, Berkshire headquarters and provides detailed property auction services [1]. The auction process has:
- Exchange of contracts on the day with a 10% deposit
- 56-day completion period
- Virtual property tours and targeted marketing campaigns
- Full support throughout the auction process [4]
Romans Auction Catalogue Overview
The auction house uses a detailed catalogue system to document properties carefully. Each lot comes with:
- Detailed legal packs
- Guide prices that may be adjusted
- Reserve prices set in consultation with sellers
- Detailed property specifications [5]
Romans Auction Results Analysis 2024
Leaders Romans Group achieved impressive results in 2024. Residential property sales reached £3.6 billion across 9,852 properties [6]. On top of that, the group:
- Conducted 52,000 property valuations
- Helped with 205,355 sales viewings
- Registered 140,234 sales applicants
- Managed over 60,000 properties nationwide [6]
The auction division showed exceptional performance in corporate sales by completing 378 asset management and disposal transactions valued at £135 million [6].
Allsop Property Auctions
Image Source: Allsop
Allsop leads the UK’s property auction market as its biggest player, with sales exceeding £1 billion in 2024 through their residential and commercial auctions [7]. Their residential division makes up 82% of their business [8].
Residential Property Focus
The company’s residential auctions continue to deliver strong results. Their August 2024 auction brought in £34 million from 141 lots [9]. The September 2024 residential auction broke records and became the UK’s biggest residential auction ever, with sales of £92.7 million from 371 lots [9].
Success Rates and Sales Volume
Allsop’s numbers tell a story of excellence. They maintain a 53% success rate, which beats the national average of 48% [8]. The residential auction team pulled off an impressive feat by securing over £100 million in sales during a four-week period, with a 92% success rate that towers over the industry’s 75% average [9].
Fee Structure Comparison
The fee structure includes these components:
- Seller’s commission: 2% + VAT of the sale price [8]
- Seller’s entry fee: £500 + VAT (non-refundable) [8]
- Buyer’s fees:
- Properties sold for £10,000 or more: £1,750 (including VAT)
- Properties under £10,000: £300 (including VAT) [8]
The January 2025 residential auction proved Allsop’s market strength by raising £32 million [7]. The company holds its market position through smart pricing and deep market expertise. Property deals wrap up in about eight weeks thanks to their monthly auctions [10].
Savills Auctions
Image Source: Savills Auctions
Savills Auctions stands tall with a 150-year legacy in property sales. They’ve grown into one of the UK’s leading auction houses [11]. Their team has managed over 20,000 transactions worth £6.5 billion in sales [11].
Premium Property Expertise
Savills, a FTSE 250 listed international property company, employs 40,000 professionals in 700 offices worldwide [3]. Their auction team works from their London HQ on Margaret Street and has some of the industry’s most skilled auctioneers [11]. Their client list features housing associations, local authorities, charities, mortgagees, receivers, executors, and government departments [11].
National Coverage
Savills leads the UK market as the largest live stream commercial and residential property auction house [11]. They maintain a 79% success rate in property sales [3]. The company runs online auctions monthly, with eight auctions already scheduled in the first half of 2024 [3]. Their marketing reaches both local and national audiences through prestigious publications like the London Evening Standard for high-value properties [3].
Buyer Support Services
Savills makes the auction process smooth with complete buyer support. They give buyers three ways to bid:
- Telephone bidding with live auction room support
- Real-time internet bidding with livestream access
- Proxy bidding through authorised auctioneers [12]
Successful bidders pay a 10% deposit plus a buyer’s fee – £250 including VAT for properties under £20,000, and £1,750 including VAT for properties at or above £20,000 [13]. Buyers complete the purchase within 20 working days after exchange [13]. Savills’ website serves as a great resource with detailed guides, upcoming auction dates for six months ahead, and ten pages of previous auction results [3].
Barnard Marcus Auctions
Image Source: www.barnardmarcusauctions.co.uk
Barnard Marcus leads London’s residential property auction market. The company handles nearly a third of all National Residential Auction Market lots with a 29.6% market share [14].
London Market Dominance
A network of 595 estate agency branches across the UK powers the company’s market leadership [14]. The company’s focus on residential properties has paid off with sales of £196 million from 1,128 successful lot sales in recent auctions [15]. The capital value grew further to £230 million in later sales [16].
Online Platform Features
Barnard Marcus runs its auctions on an advanced online platform that gives users:
- Pre-registration bidding capabilities
- Up-to-the-minute bid tracking and history
- Property information pack downloads
- Open house viewing confirmations [14]
The platform adds a 20-second bidding extension window that ensures fair participation [1]. Bids placed in the final 20 seconds automatically extend the auction time. This prevents last-moment outbidding [1].
Commission Rates
The security deposit system includes these key components:
- £5,000 as the original deposit toward purchase
- £1,150 (inclusive of VAT) as contract documentation charge
- £6,150 as the total security bond [1]
Successful bidders must pay 10% of the final sale price right after winning [17]. SagePay handles all payments and holds the funds until the auction ends [1]. The debit happens right after the electronic gavel falls for winning bids [1].
The modern auction method through iamsold is a chance for sellers to avoid commission – they pay 0% with no estate agency fees [18]. All the same, buyers need to complete their purchase within 56 days [18].
Network Auctions
Image Source: www.networkauctions.co.uk
Network Auctions is an 18-year-old company that created a unique partnership model. This model combines local expertise with national reach across the UK [19].
Partnership Model Benefits
The company’s unique model gives partner agents 70% of commission, which is the highest rate in the market [20]. Their partnership framework covers estate agents, commercial agents, surveyors, and property professionals [20]. Network Auctions works on a commission-based structure instead of charging upfront fees. The structure has:
- Partner commission: 70% of total fees
- Marketing support: Complete PR and training
- Co-branded departments: Full auction integration
- Quarterly licence fee: £116.50 [4]
Regional Performance Stats
Network Auctions reached an impressive 82% sales success rate in their auctions [5]. They achieved their second-best auction result ever in December 2023. A property in Christchurch, Dorset sold for £585,000 – £205,000 above the guide price [21].
The company focuses on residential properties and maintains strong relationships with local estate agents. These connections help them reach investors at both regional and national levels [22]. Their approach works especially when you have high-demand areas, where properties often sell well above guide prices [22].
Technology Integration
The company’s strong technology base has grown fast. They now sell 40% more properties through their online platform compared to 2019 [23]. Their digital auction system offers:
The platform makes real-time bidding easy with complete legal pack access. Buyers can view these packs seven days before auction, and 86.7% of lots have complete documentation [24]. The system provides up-to-the-minute data analysis that helps sellers track market trends and improve their auction strategies [23].
Network Auctions joined forces with Lendlord in 2024 to launch an integrated online auction tool. This tool connects users to more than 40,000 property investors [25]. Buyers and sellers can exchange contracts on auction day and complete within 28 days [25].
Auction House UK
Image Source: www.auctionhouse.co.uk
Auction House UK stands as the country’s largest residential property auction company. The company runs 40 auction rooms throughout England, Scotland, and Wales and sells more than 3,000 properties each year [6][26]. Other auctioneers typically handle fewer lots.
Nationwide Network Advantages
The company sells local properties through regional auction rooms. This approach yields higher prices compared to centralised metropolitan auctions [6]. Their network has respected experts in each region [26]. A franchise model helps maintain high service standards [27]. The company leads the UK residential auction market based on lots sold [28].
Local Market Knowledge
The company believes properties sell better to local buyers [6]. Each regional team delivers these key services:
- Personal property inspections
- Informed guide price recommendations
- Detailed legal pack preparation
- Extensive local marketing campaigns
- Property viewings with detailed feedback [28]
Service Packages
Auction House UK provides both traditional and online auction formats. Traditional auctions lead to contract exchange when the hammer falls. Completion usually happens within 28 days [2]. Their modern online platform uses eBay-style bidding [29]. Conditional auction rules make the market more accessible.
The marketing strategy uses multiple channels to advertise properties:
- Local newspapers
- Property portals
- Company website
- Targeted email campaigns to regional and national buyers [28]
This integrated approach helps Auction House outperform other regional auctioneers consistently [29]. Their success rate exceeds the national auction average [30]. Local expertise creates optimal pricing strategies for each property type. Properties achieve higher values when sold closer to their location, proving the value of regional sales [6].
Strettons Auctions
Image Source: Strettons
Strettons, a London-based firm, boasts a 91% success rate in UK property auctions [31]. The company excels in commercial and residential properties and generated more than £100 million in sales in the last 12 months [31].
Commercial Property Strength
The company’s specialised departments make shared work possible to maximise property value and sales [32]. Their commercial expertise covers:
- Office and flexible workspace management
- Capital markets and investment
- Retail, licenced, and leisure properties
- Medical and educational facilities
- Hotel sector specialists
Investment Opportunities
Strettons showed strong market performance through 2024. Their September live-streamed sale sold 40 out of 48 lots with an 84% success rate [31]. The company’s investment portfolio has:
- Freehold retail parade investments
- Converted office schemes spanning 46,000 square feet
- Mixed-use freehold investment properties
- Creative office spaces ranging from 11,700 to 16,700 square feet [32]
Bidding Process
Buyers can participate through multiple bidding channels right after registration [7]. The process needs:
- Pre-auction preparation
- Property information pack download
- Legal documentation review
- Arranged property viewings
- Mortgage arrangements if needed
- Financial requirements
- 10% contractual deposit (minimum £3,000)
- Buyer’s administration fee of £1,250 (or £695 for transactions under £10,000)
- VAT payment upon contract exchange [7]
This well-laid-out approach works well. Contracts exchange hands right when the gavel falls [7]. Buyers take responsibility for building insurance from the exchange moment, which sets it apart from traditional property purchases [7].
Acuitus
Image Source: Acuitus
Acuitus has sealed contracts worth over £7 billion [33] in its three decades of operation. The company stands as a leading force in UK commercial property auctions. Their main focus lies in high-value investments, with a refined approach to property sales and market analysis.
High-Value Property Focus
Properties valued above £1 million made up 52% of total sales by value in 2024, yet represented only 16% of lots sold [34]. The company’s expertise in premium properties draws substantial investor interest. Their latest auction achieved £13.55 million in sales with a 95% success rate [35].
The yield structure shows market dynamics:
- Prime city centre retail parade: 2.125% yield
- Secondary property yield: 11.69%
- Industrial average yield: 7.90% [34]
Market Analysis Services
The company’s Commercial Property Auction Data (cPad) report, created with BW Investor Services, serves as a key indicator of investor sentiment [9]. Their analytical approach has:
- Quarterly market performance tracking
- Location-specific economic vitality indices
- Business expansion monitoring
- Demographic trend analysis [36]
London properties now make up 35.2% of all lots sold – the highest proportion in cPad history [34]. These numbers highlight the capital’s lasting appeal to investors who seek stable returns.
Professional Support
The company’s customer support framework has complete due diligence processes [33]. Their professional team, regulated by RICS, provides exclusive advisory services whatever the investment size [9]. The bidding process has:
- Pre-registration requirements
- Online platform access
- Live-stream auction participation
- Post-auction completion support
Their resilient infrastructure, built over 20 years, features a secure data centre that runs 24/7 [9]. The database holds detailed profiles of active investors, with historical information spanning three decades of property transactions in the UK and beyond [9].
Sellers who think over auction sales can find budget-friendly solutions from Acuitus for properties under £10 million. Traditional auction benefits blend with modern online platforms [37]. This approach works well in the current market cycle where cash-rich entrepreneurial investors look for higher-yielding opportunities [34].
Clive Emson Auctioneers
Image Source: Clive Emson Auctioneers
Clive Emson MBE established this independent auction house in 1989. Starting with a single office, it has grown into one of Britain’s leading regional property auctioneers [38]. The company won the prestigious Residential Auction Service of the Year at The Negotiator Awards 2024 [38].
Regional Expertise
The firm operates through five strategic offices across southern England. Its reach extends from Kent to Cornwall, and from London to Norfolk [8]. Their extensive network works with more than 650 estate agency outlets throughout Southern England [10], providing exceptional regional market coverage.
Their regional strength shines through their structured auction schedule, with eight auctions yearly across five locations:
- Kent & SE London – Clive Emson Conference Centre, Maidstone
- Essex & North and East London – Chelmsford City Racecourse
- Sussex & Surrey – Hilton Brighton Metropole
- West Country – St Mellion International Resort
- Hampshire & Isle of Wight – Solent Hotel [39]
Track Record
The firm prepared more than 1,270 land and property lots across eight auctions in 2024 [38]. Their impressive performance numbers tell the story:
- Sales reached £160 million with an 80% success rate [40]
- Annual lot catalogues totaled 1,168 [40]
- Management of 53 private lock-up garages in residential areas [40]
- Sales of commercial properties ranged from solicitors’ offices to substantial woodland plots [40]
Starting with just a typewriter and rolodex, the company has evolved into the UK’s Leading Independent Regional Property Auctioneers [10]. This growth demonstrates their excellence in the field.
Customer Experience
The company supports clients through every step of the auction process. Their steadfast dedication to quality and service includes unbiased property auction appraisals for:
- Executors and Power of Attorneys
- Local authorities and statutory bodies
- Private and limited companies
- Receivers and private individuals [8]
Transparency and efficiency stand at the heart of their auction process. Bath property auctions attract a variety of participants, from homebuyers and renovation enthusiasts to businesses and investors [41]. Paul Wood and his experienced team receive consistent praise for their exceptional support to first-time buyers [42].
The company stays true to its founding principles by creating an independent, high-profile auction facility available to everyone [8]. A team of over 30 experienced employees ensures complete preparation of legal documentation and property information [8].
Comparison Table
| Auction House | Market Position/Specialisation | Annual Sales Volume | Success Rate | Geographic Coverage | Notable Features/Services | Simple Fee Structure |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Romans Auction | Leading property auction house | £3.6bn (2024) | Not mentioned | 300+ branches nationwide | Virtual property tours, 56-day completion period | 10% deposit required |
| Allsop Property Auctions | UK’s largest property auction house | £1bn+ (2024) | 53% | National | Largest residential auction sales | 2% + VAT commission, £500 + VAT entry fee |
| Savills Auctions | Premium property specialist | £6.5bn (total historical) | 79% | 700 offices worldwide | Monthly online auctions, full buyer support | £1,750 buyer’s fee (properties ≥£20,000) |
| Barnard Marcus Auctions | Top London-based residential auctioneer | £196m (recent) | Not mentioned | 595 estate agency branches | 20-second bidding extension system | £6,150 security bond required |
| Network Auctions | Partner-focused approach | Not mentioned | 82% | National | 70% commission for partner agents | £116.50 quarterly licence fee |
| Auction House UK | Largest residential property auctioneer | Not mentioned | Not mentioned | 40 auction rooms across UK | Local market expertise, 28-day completion | Not mentioned |
| Strettons Auctions | Commercial property specialist | £100m+ (past 12 months) | 91% | UK-wide | Department expert collaboration | £1,250 buyer’s admin fee |
| Acuitus | High-value commercial specialist | £7bn (historical total) | 95% | National (35.2% London) | Full market analysis services | Not mentioned |
| Clive Emson Auctioneers | Major regional auctioneer | £160m (2024) | 80% | Southern England | 8 annual auctions across 5 locations | Not mentioned |
Conclusion
UK property auctions are a great way to buy and sell real estate. Each auction house brings something special to the market. Romans Auction operates through more than 300 branches nationwide. Allsop leads the pack with annual sales exceeding £1 billion. Savills Auctions focuses on premium properties and boasts a 79% success rate.
Regional players make their mark too. Clive Emson Auctioneers shows strong results in southern England. Auction House UK’s residential property network remains the largest in the country. Success rates tell an interesting story. Strettons achieves 91% while Allsop maintains 53%. These numbers beat traditional property sales methods consistently.
Modern auction methods give buyers and sellers clear advantages. Properties complete in 56 days instead of the usual 3-6 months. Modern auctions complete 95% of sales compared to traditional estate agents’ 51% success rate.
The right auction house choice depends on your specific needs. Romans Auction gives you nationwide coverage. Savills excels at premium properties. Network Auctions offers deep regional market knowledge. This comparison helps buyers and sellers make smart choices in the UK’s ever-changing property auction market.
References
[1] – https://www.barnardmarcusauctions.co.uk/media/150937/online-auction-guide.pdf
[2] – https://www.auctionhouse.co.uk/guide/difference-between-auction-and-estate-agent
[3] – https://propertysalewatchdog.com/savills-auctions-review/
[4] – https://thenegotiator.co.uk/features/a-sale-is-a-sale/
[5] – https://thenegotiator.co.uk/features/a-good-year-for-auctioneers/
[6] – https://www.auctionhouse.co.uk/guide/local-auction-rooms
[7] – https://www.strettons.co.uk/auctions/buying-at-auction/guide-to-buying/
[8] – https://www.cliveemson.co.uk/
[9] – https://www.acuitus.co.uk/
[10] – https://www.cliveemson.co.uk/about-us/
[11] – https://www.savills.co.uk/services/buying-or-selling/auctioning-a-property.aspx
[12] – https://auctions.savills.co.uk/remote-bidding
[13] – https://www.savills.com/blog/article/183895/property-auctions/how-to-buy-a-property-at-auction.aspx
[14] – https://www.barnardmarcusauctions.co.uk/media/86605/national-auction-review-2019.pdf
[15] – https://www.barnardmarcusauctions.co.uk/media/137490/national-auction-review-2020.pdf
[16] – https://www.barnardmarcusauctions.co.uk/news/introducing-our-february-202-auction/
[17] – https://www.barnardmarcusauctions.co.uk/guides/preparing-to-buy-buying-guide/
[18] – https://barnardmarcus.co.uk/services/modern-method-of-auction
[19] – https://propertysalewatchdog.com/network-auctions-review/
[20] – https://www.networkauctions.co.uk/2023/07/our-partner-agents-and-why-it-works/
[21] – https://www.propertyinvestortoday.co.uk/breaking-news/2015/12/auction-round-up-december-2015/
[22] – https://thenegotiator.co.uk/features/products-services-features/up-the-bidding/
[23] – https://www.networkauctions.co.uk/2024/02/the-role-of-technology-in-property-auctions-today/
[24] – https://www.eigpropertyauctions.co.uk/news/pad/2024/q1
[25] – https://www.mpamag.com/uk/mortgage-industry/technology/lendlord-unveils-integrated-auction-tool/430861
[26] – https://www.auctionhouse.co.uk/company/about-us
[27] – https://www.auctionhouse.co.uk/northwest/company/about-us
[28] – https://www.auctionhouse.co.uk/commercial/service
[29] – https://www.auctionhouse.co.uk/selling-at-auction/why-choose-auction-house
[30] – https://www.andrew-coulson.co.uk/why-auction-house
[31] – https://www.strettons.co.uk/in-the-press/
[32] – https://www.strettons.co.uk/commercial/investment/
[33] – https://www.acuitus.co.uk/buy/
[34] – https://www.acuitus.co.uk/app/uploads/Acuitus_AuctionReview-Q4-2024-cPad-Jan-2025.pdf
[35] – https://www.propertyinvestortoday.co.uk/breaking-news/2024/11/impressive-auction-results-suggest-property-investors-still-out-in-force/
[36] – https://www.acuitus.co.uk/news/why-auctions-are-a-good-barometer-for-the-market/
[37] – https://www.acuitus.co.uk/sell/
[38] – https://www.andoveradvertiser.co.uk/news/24785016.clive-emson-auctioneers-successful-negotiator-awards/
[39] – https://www.propertyinvestortoday.co.uk/breaking-news/2018/10/clive-emson-records-highest-number-of-lots/?source=related_articles
[40] – https://www.deepsouthmedia.co.uk/9869-2/
[41] – https://www.cliveemson.co.uk/properties/west-country/bath/
[42] – https://uk.trustpilot.com/review/cliveemson.co.uk