Auction activity increased in March, with both volumes and total value raised ahead of last year, according to data from Essential Information Group (EiG).
A total of 2,897 lots were sold during the month – up 20.3% year-on-year – while total funds raised reached £559.1m, an increase of 16.6%.
Despite the higher supply, the success rate remained broadly stable at 68.6%, compared with 68.2% in March 2025, indicating that buyer demand has kept pace with increased stock levels.
The stronger performance was reflected across the first quarter as a whole, with 7,738 lots sold – up 19.5% – and £1.49bn raised, representing a 12.7% increase.
Residential property continued to drive activity, with sales rising by 19.6% in March. Commercial auctions also showed notable improvement, with volumes up 26.5% and a higher success rate of 70.6%.
Regionally, London and the West Midlands recorded strong growth in both volumes and success rates. Yorkshire and the North East saw sharp increases in supply, which weighed on success rates despite higher sales volumes. Wales and East Anglia reported more balanced conditions, with gains in both activity and conversion rates.
EiG said April may see an additional wave of landlord disposals ahead of the Renters’ Rights Act coming into force in May, as some landlords look to exit before the changes take effect, which could influence supply levels in the short term.
Stuart Collar-Brown, president of NAVA Propertymark, believes the data reflects a broader shift in the role of auctions within the property market.
“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.”
He added that while activity remains resilient, wider economic uncertainty could weigh on sentiment.
“The data also reflects a potential structural shift in landlord behaviour across England specifically,” he said. “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.”
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