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    Expert Legal Advice for Completing Auction-Contracted Purchase

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    What is the process for buying a property at auction?

    If you’ve not attended an auction before, we strongly recommend you visit without any intention of bidding to spectate and familiarise yourself with the environment. If you go into the auction process with an understanding of what to expect and how it works, you will be more likely to secure the best possible outcome.

    If you’re planning on bidding on property at an auction, here’s what to expect before, on the day of and after the auction:

    • Before the auction: You should always conduct thorough research and attend viewings before going to a property auction. The auction house can provide a catalogue upon request so you can shortlist properties and arrange viewings. As auction properties are often investment opportunities needing renovations, you should check the guide prices and conduct your own pricing research. With a conveyancing solicitor’s help, obtain and examine the legal packs closely for detailed property information. Once the hammer falls, the sale is final—preparation is key.
    • The day of the auction: Whether you’re attending an auction in person or joining online, ensure you turn up on time with all required documentation and information, including your 10% deposit for the property and two forms of identification. You can make as many bids as you like once the auction starts, as long as it’s within your limits—if you’re the highest bidder, you’ll win. Be prepared to pay your deposit and fees that day. If you won a property but it came in under its reserve, you can approach the seller to discuss further options, as they may still approve the sale.
    • After the auction: If you’ve been successful, the process following the auction is the same as purchasing property any other way. You will receive a set amount of time following the auction to pay the remaining 90% of your winning property bid. In some circumstances, this may be as short as 14 days. You will also need to instruct a conveyancing solicitor to ensure you’ve met all the legal needs for the purchase.

    At Mounteney Solicitors, our Property Auction Solicitors can support you through the post-auction process, ensuring your purchase is as smooth and stress-free as possible.

    Key Contacts

    Our Team of Specialist Solicitors

    Get in Touch

    Jonathan Mounteney

    Foundation Local Team Lead
    Managing Director / Practice Principal
    Heald Green, 0161 283 6573

    Terms and conditions of an auction purchase

    Two major sets of terms and conditions govern an auction purchase—General Conditions and Special Conditions. General Conditions apply to every auctioned property and are available upon request. Special Conditions are those the seller sets before the auction, which apply to a specific property; this could include details from completion date to penalties for not completing, so it is crucial to read through these conditions carefully. If you instruct a solicitor to review a property’s auction pack, they can also review and discuss with you the Special Conditions.

    Although each set of Special Conditions differs, it is becoming increasingly common for the seller to specify that the property’s buyer pays a contribution towards their auction costs and legal costs. In some cases, this can mean extra expenditure up to thousands of pounds and should be included within your budget should the situation arise.

    How long will it take?

    We understand the tight deadlines involved in auction purchases. Our team is well-equipped to get things done for you to ensure a successful transaction. Following the client retention process, you typically only have 28 days to complete an auction purchase; after that, there are a few post-completion matters included, such as payment of the Stamp Duty Land Tax / Welsh Land Transaction Tax and Land Registration. (See our Buyers Guide for more information.)

    You must submit a completed transfer to HM Land Registry for registration. The time HM Land Registry takes to process such a registration varies depending on how busy they are. However, once submitted, the HM Land Registry processes applications on any title in order of submission, so their delay ought not to affect the priority of your application relative to other matters on that title.

    Money Matters

    This service is for completing the buying of a property you have won at auction, and comprises the normal stages of conveyancing only in so far as they arise after contracts have been exchanged (which is what you have entered into on the fall of the hammer at auction), i.e. obtaining and executing a transfer, completion, and registration with HM Land Registry, including paying any Stamp Duty Land Tax arising. You will also have to pay HM Land Registry Fees arising. It does not include any reporting on title, since after exchanging contracts it is too late to require any improvements; a title report product is separately available if required – please enquire.

    Your supplier is CLC-regulated Mounteney Conveyancers, that charges VAT some customers may be able to reclaim.

    There is more info about our fees here

    If you have any questions, require any further information, or would like to engage us on the T&Cs linked Our Terms in the footer below, please don’t hesitate to Contact Us.

    Fixed Fee
    From
    £1000
    exc VAT
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    Purchasing auction property FAQs

    Clients often ask about legal packs, what checks to carry out before bidding, and the risks of buying at auction. We help you review the legal documents in advance, identify any red flags, and understand your obligations once the hammer falls. Our team ensures you’re well-prepared and protected throughout the auction process.

    Contact our Property Auction Solicitors

    If you’re planning to buy a property at auction, it’s essential to have the right legal support in place before you bid. Our Auction Conveyancing Solicitors provide clear, reliable advice to help you understand the legal pack, assess potential risks, and make informed decisions with confidence.

    We offer practical guidance from start to finish, managing everything from pre-auction checks to post-auction completion. As part of our wider team of residential property solicitors, our auction specialists bring detailed knowledge of both the auction process and broader property law. Clients choose us for our attention to detail, transparent communication and consistent, reliable service. Many return to us for future transactions and regularly recommend our services.

    We have offices located in Bramhall, Cheadle, Hazel Grove and Heald Green. We regularly serve clients throughout the Stockport and Manchester area including Altrincham, Didsbury, Poynton, Wilmslow, Knutsford and Sale. We provide clients with a customised and community-based service.

    Contact our team today to speak with an Auction Conveyancing Solicitor and ensure your property purchase is handled with care and expertise.

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