Faster property sales
The stamp duty holiday fostered a surge in selling activity throughout the country, leading to conveyancers becoming inundated. The instant exchange process experienced at auction houses has led to many buyers and vendors to flock to property auctions as an alternative option.
As a result of the busy market, EIG reported £539.5 million in sales — a significant increase from the £338 million and £469 million reported during September 2019 and 2020 respectively.
Much of the increase was due to an exceptionally busy commercial auction market which generated £154 million in sales. Auctioneers also noted that they had seen an increase in interest from buyers as a result of COVID-19 causing many businesses to operate digitally.
It is safe to say that interest from sellers and attendance at property auctions has grown over the course of the pandemic and remains just as strong now.
The pandemic has opened consumers eyes to the world of auctioneering and I’m sure the profession will continue to see a large up taking.
Chattels auctions
Hiscox reported online art sales reaching £5 billion in the first six months of 2021, which is a 72 per cent increase compared to the same period in 2020. Analytics firm Pi-eX also reported that the top three public auction houses—Christie’s, Sotheby’s, and Phillips —saw a 405 per cent year-over-year increase in sales during the second quarter of 2021 between the months of April and June.
The surge in auctioneering interest has even opened up employment opportunities, as auctioneers have called for additional chattels resource in order to handle the influx of new people taking to online auctions.
People seem to have now cottoned onto the perks of buying from auction houses compared to retail, especially given the increase in price of raw materials and the number of people looking to buy the items, as they now know they can buy high quality goods for a fraction of the price.
We’re continuing to see an increasing amount of job adverts for valuers and auctioneers due to the increase in demand. The next step for auctioneers is to educate those on the exciting world of auctions to bring more people into the industry.
Auctioneering
Propertymark Qualifications offers Level 3 Awards in Chattels Auctioneering and Real Property Auctioneering, providing training to understand the law and procedures of auctioneering, from appraisals and valuations to the marketing, legalities and conduct of auctioneers.
Are you Propertymark Protected?
If you're interested in selling your property through auction, using one of our members guarantees that you will be consulting with a regulated, professional who will give you up-to-date advice and guidance.
Housing Insight Report: June 2026
June’s housing market remained active, but buyers and renters continued to show caution. Buyer registrations dipped, while sales agreed remained broadly stable. In lettings, demand continued to outstrip supply, with nine applicants per available property.
More than planning reform is needed to reopen the door to homeownership
The proportion of owner-occupiers has changed little over the past decade and remains below its 2003 peak, while high prices, large deposits, and a weak development pipeline continue to restrict access for first-time buyers and suppress mobility for those already on the property ladder. New planning rules may help, but government and industry evidence supports Propertymark’s position that wider reform is needed across housebuilding and the buying and selling process to restore adequate supply and revitalise the market.
Early rent tribunal decision highlights the value of evidence and communication
An early First-tier Tribunal decision under the Renters’ Rights Act 2025 offers useful lessons for agents, landlords, and tenants. Evidence of rents achieved for comparable homes proved more persuasive than advertised prices, but Propertymark members report that the speed of the process varies significantly.
Licensing expands as penalties increase under Renters’ Rights Act
The first phase of the Renters’ Rights Act 2025 has been in force since 1 May 2026, but local regulation is continuing to develop alongside it. Councils across England are consulting on new selective licensing schemes and planning controls for Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMOs), creating further checks, costs, and responsibilities for agents and landlords.
Research reveals the best ways agents can impact landlord non-compliance
Behavioural research suggests that around 60% of landlords in the private rented sector do not fully understand their responsibilities and often fail to meet basic regulatory requirements as a result. This unintentional non-compliance is driven not by bad intent but by four interconnected behavioural patterns.
Crisis funding cannot close the Local Housing Allowance gap
Propertymark has written to Baroness Sherlock, OBE, Minister of State at the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP), calling for action to ensure housing support matches real rents, following her statement that local authority Crisis and Resilience Fund housing payments are available to private tenants who cannot meet their rent. The Fund is a welcome safety net for people facing short-term financial difficulties; however, one-off crisis payments cannot replace adequate levels of Local Housing Allowance to meet ongoing rental costs.
