Auction activity accelerated in March with both volumes and total funds raised outperforming last year as the market maintained strong momentum into the end of the financial year.
Data from Essential Information Group shows a total of 2,897 lots were sold during the month, up 20.3% year-on-year, while total raised reached £559.1m, an increase of 16.6%.
Despite the uplift in supply, the success rate held firm at 68.6%, broadly in line with 68.2% recorded a year earlier, indicating demand is keeping pace with increased stock.
The strength of March caps a robust first quarter, with 7,738 lots sold, up 19.5%, and £1.49bn raised, a 12.7% rise on the same period in 2025.
COMMERCIAL TRACTION
Residential assets continue to underpin activity, with sales up 19.6% in March. However, commercial property is gaining traction, with volumes rising by 26.5% and a higher success rate of 70.6%, pointing to renewed investor interest in the sector.
Regionally, performance remains mixed. London and the West Midlands both recorded strong growth in volumes alongside improved success rates, signalling healthy demand. In contrast, Yorkshire and the North East have seen a surge in supply, which has weighed on success rates despite higher transaction numbers.
Elsewhere, markets such as Wales and East Anglia reported more balanced conditions, with both activity and success rates moving in a positive direction.
Looking ahead, the introduction of the Renters’ Rights Act in May is expected to influence near-term supply. Auctioneers anticipate a potential spike in landlord disposals in April, as some investors move to exit ahead of the regulatory changes.
CONSISTENT BUYER DEMAND
David Sandeman said the figures reflect a market that continues to absorb increased stock levels, supported by consistent buyer demand despite wider economic and regulatory pressures.
While the longer-term impact of the reforms remains uncertain, particularly around pricing and stock levels, the continued strength in transaction volumes suggests the auction market remains resilient and well positioned to absorb further shifts in supply.
MAINSTREAM ROUTE
Stuart Collar-Brown, President of NAVA Propertymark (National Association of Valuers and Auctioneers), says: “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.
“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.”
INVESTOR OPPORTUNITIES
He adds: “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, 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.”
