Higher volumes held success rates steady, with London and the West Midlands leading gains
Auction activity picked up in March, with more lots changing hands and more money raised than a year earlier, according to figures from property auction data provider Essential Information Group (EIG).
EIG said 2,897 lots were sold during the month, an increase of 20.3% on March 2025, while proceeds climbed 16.6% to £559.1 million. The success rate was broadly unchanged at 68.6%, compared with 68.2% a year ago, suggesting demand kept pace despite the larger catalogue.
The performance followed a familiar end-of-year pattern, with vendors seeking to complete before the financial year closes. Across the first quarter, EIG recorded 7,738 lots sold, up 19.5%, and £1.49 billion raised, a rise of 12.7%.
Residential lots continued to underpin the market, with sales up 19.6% in March. Commercial auctions also improved, with volumes up 26.5% and a higher success rate of 70.6%, EIG said.
Source: Essential Information Group. Note: Figures in brackets denote the comparative period last year
The regional picture was mixed. London and the West Midlands posted strong gains in volumes alongside better success rates. By contrast, EIG reported that Yorkshire and the North East saw a sharp rise in supply, which was linked to weaker success rates even as sales volumes increased. Wales and East Anglia were among the areas where activity and success rates both improved.
EIG’s managing director, David Sandeman (pictured right), said the next month could bring more stock to market ahead of regulatory change affecting landlords.
“With the Renters Rights Act due to come into effect in May, April may see an additional wave of landlord disposals as some look to exit ahead of the changes,” he said. “This could influence supply levels in the short term, following the already elevated volumes seen in March.
“The longer-term impact remains uncertain, with potential implications for stock levels, pricing, and overall market activity still to play out over the coming months, although the consistent strength in transaction volumes suggests the market remains well positioned to adapt to changing conditions.”
For Stuart Collar-Brown, president of industry body NAVA Propertymark, the numbers suggest auctions are becoming a more mainstream route to sale, as buyers and sellers increasingly prioritise certainty and quicker completion.
“These latest figures reinforce a clear shift in how property is bought and sold, with auctions now firmly established as a mainstream route rather than a niche or specialist option,” he said. “The market is increasingly driven by certainty over aspiration, with buyers and sellers prioritising speed, transparency and reduced fall-through risk, areas where auctions perform strongly.
“While activity remains resilient, ongoing global economic uncertainty may soften sentiment and temper transaction levels as decision-making becomes more cautious.
“The data also reflects a potential structural shift in landlord behaviour across England specifically. As the Renters’ Rights Act approaches implementation, some landlords are reassessing portfolios, with auctions offering a practical route for the efficient sale, especially of more complex stock.
At the same time, Collar-Brown added, auctions continue to present opportunities for investors able to navigate the evolving regulatory landscape, particularly for assets requiring repositioning or active management.
“Overall, this points to a market recalibration rather than a short-term trend, with auctions increasingly embedded in the core toolkit for property transactions in a more regulated environment,” he said.
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