Who Are The Best Online Property Auction Companies?

Unsurprisingly, this growth in online property auctions as coincided with the UK property auction house market experiencing its highest annual revenue performance in a decade in 2022. The total revenue of £409.3m was a 30% increase compared to 2013, according to Estate Agent Today. 

Despite this growth, online house auctions still only make up a very small portion of total property sales in the UK (around 1%). This is a far cry from traditional and online estate agents, cash buyers, and traditional auction houses. So when it comes to finding the best online house auction sites, you need to choose wisely. That 1% market share is mostly the results of only two handfuls of the thousands of auction houses. 

We’re here to provide a clear and concise list of the best online house auction sites in the UK. We’ll also delve into each one, providing expert insights on their reputations, fees, success rates, and other important information you need to consider as a seller.

Table of Contents

• The 9 best online property auction sites in the UK

• Are online property auctions legitimate?

• How to choose the best online house auction site for you

• 5 most trusted online house auction sites

• Pros and cons of online property auctions

• Do you need a solicitor for an online house auction?

• How much does it cost to sell at an online property auction?

• Common pitfalls of buying or selling through online property auctions

• Why a cash buyer might be a good alternative

• Online house auction FAQs

The 9 best online property auction sites in the UK

1. iamsold

Average time to sell: 12-16 weeks

Despite having one of the longest sale timelines out of the top online house auction sites, iamsold is still our number one choice. Founded in 2009, iamsold champions the Modern Method of Auction (MMoA) and is affiliated with more than 6,500 estate agencies around the UK. The auction house has a solid 4.3 rating on Trustpilot from over 3,800 customer testimonials. It doesn’t charge sellers itself, but you work with a partner estate agent through the process, who will likely charge their own fees. 

iamsold’s sale process is also pretty hands-on, as your partner estate agent prepares all property details, while the auction house handles marketing and bidding. It sold almost 11,000 properties in 2024 and has a completion rate over 90% (upon receipt of draft contact). It’s also one of the only auction houses servicing Northern Ireland through iamsold NI. 

Recent 5-star review: 

I am so impressed with Maria at iamsold. She has been efficient, helpful and knowledgeable. She sold our house within a few weeks. I have felt supported, heard and valued as a customer. Thank you, Maria. – Deborah, 10 July 2025

Recent 1-star review:

Horror of an experience. Costumer service shocking. Don’t pick up the phone, don’t call you back. Don’t answer emails, don’t get figures correct, lie to you and just generally all round terrible. Would not give any stars if possible. – Tavia Cousins, 3 July 2025

2. Bamboo Auctions

Average time to sell: approx. 5 weeks

Bamboo Auctions has one of the fastest sale times out of all the auction houses on this list. It’s also a consistent performer when it comes to property transactions, with over 5,600 sales in the last 12 months. The online platform is particularly impressive and is affiliated with over 1,100 real estate agencies and 90,000 registered buyers. Bamboo Auctions has a slightly lower completion rate of 75% according to its website. 

Bamboo Auctions doesn’t have many reviews on Trustpilot, but its overall rating of 4.5 is still a good sign of trustworthiness. As a buyer, the fees you pay vary depending on the listing, but we have seen instances of buyers paying upwards of £4,000 (incl. VAT) on buyer and admin fees. For sellers, it’s a similar situation where you work with partner estate agents who charge their own fees. The actual platform doesn’t seem to charge any direct fees. 

Recent 5-star review: 

Instructions for making a bid on our preferred online auction property were very straightforward. Screen layout was clear and legible. We would certainly bid with Bamboo again. – Bridget Leary, 6 May 2025

Recent 1-star review:

I was persuaded buy Stags estate agents to buy through Bamboo Auctions on Friday, I did buy a parcel of land agreed at 67k and paid a £5,600 deposit. On Monday Stags called me to say they had an admin error and that I should pay another 10k even though contracts had been exchanged and the land was sold. – Dean, 26 July 2023

3. GOTO Properties

Average time to sell: 12-16 weeks

GOTO Properties is one of the newer online property auction sites in the UK. Despite this, it’s already established a good reputation for customer service and success. It’s been featured in HomeOwners Alliance’s own list of the best online property auctions, which claims it has a 96% completion rate due to the Reservation Fee service. 

GOTO doesn’t typically charge sellers to use its service. Instead, the auction house takes its revenue from buyers, who have to pay a buyer’s premium and administration fee on top of the sale price, according to GOTO’s official guidance. One of GOTO’s strengths is its 24/7 online bidding via desktop, tablet or smartphone. While GOTO Properties itself doesn’t have any Trustpilot reviews, the GOTO Group has a 4.6 rating from over 1,600 testimonials. 

Recent 5-star review (for GOTO Group): 

GOTO just did what we agreed when we agreed for the price and quality we agreed. Simple, good, reliable service. – Sean McCullough, 26 June 2025

Recent 1-star review (for GOTO Group):

What "auction" takes 6 months to go through? From the after-sale support to the in-house solicitors, everything is awful. – Mark Sampson, 23 June 2025

4. SDL Property Auctions

Average time to sell: 10-14 weeks

SDL Property Auctions has sold hundreds of property (residential and commercial) and land plots through its unique live-stream approach. It’s a blend of the traditional and modern auction approach. You can choose a live auction event with an auctioneer and remote bidding or opt for the timed MMoA approach with 24/7 bidding over a set amount of days. SDL also holds dedicated auctions in north-east England. 

One thing to consider is that SDL has sold the lowest amount of property compared to the other house auction sites on this list. It’s still considered one of the most successful live-stream auctioneers out there, so if you’re looking for a modern take on the traditional auction, it might be the right choice. As a seller, you have the choice of making the buyer pay all the fees or take on the fees yourself. You also need to pay between £800 and £1,250 in solicitor fees, according to SDL’s site.

Recent 5-star review: 

First experience of auctioning a property. Excellent professional service from start to finish. Would recommend. – Marie, 29 May 2025

Recent 1-star review:

Bad customer service; don’t reply to emails. And don’t keep you updated on your property once you sign the contract with them. Not enough exposure for marketing and not enough interest to get a fair price for my property. Better service if you are buying rather than selling. – Jason Clayton, 7 March 2023

5. Auction House

Average time to sell: 8-10 weeks

Auction House is one the UK’s biggest property auction companies, but the majority of its sales go through traditional on-site auctions. The online side of the business is relatively new and produced the second-lowest amount of transactions out of the auction houses on this list. Auction House is tied for the highest Trustpilot rating, scoring 4.8/5 from over 1,300 testimonials. However, this includes the traditional auction side as well as the online, so it may not be an accurate representation of what you’ll get from an online auction sale. 

The company’s national online auctions used the classic eBay approach for bidding. You can get a free auction valuation online, but the actual fees you’ll pay as a seller can vary. One of Auction House’s biggest strengths is its reach. It can tap into local, regional and national markets and carries a name that buyers know and respect. 

Recent 5-star review (online auction): 

Simon and Romilly make a very experienced and able team. Good communication and guidance throughout the online auction process. – Malcolm, 19 June 2025

Recent 1-star review (online auction):

I’m really sorry to post this as I have bought a few properties through them. However, I am a seller now and all I am trying to do is put something in the next auction. However, no one replies to your emails about new business. I have tried to contact Noah on numerous occasions...it’s either no reply at all or a long delay so you miss the auction date. – Carole Barton, 26 May 2025

6. Prime Property Auctions

Average time to sell: approx. 4 weeks

Prime Property Auctions has the fastest average time to sell out of our picks for the best online house auction sites. It also offers a no-sale-no-fee approach, which can be appealing. However, we’re unable to find how much you have to pay if your property or land sells. On top of this, you don’t have to pay for any marketing costs or for a valuation. Prime Property Auctions claims it can sell your house in 28 days from accepting the offer, which is fast for an online auction house but still slower than the average sale through a cash house buying company. 

This company doesn’t have a lot of Trustpilot reviews, but the testimonials that are online are mostly positive, resulting in a 4.8/5 rating. They claim to have an 87% strike rate of properties selling even before they go to auction. With only 14 years’ experience, Prime Property Auction is one of the newer auction houses doing online sales. It’s based in Glasgow, making it a good option for buyers and sellers in Scotland. 

Recent 5-star review: 

I had a great experience with Prime Property Auctions and John Morris. The service was incredibly efficient from start to finish. I was genuinely surprised at how fast everything moved. The deal was sealed much quicker than I expected. John’s communication was clear and professional throughout, making the entire process smooth and stress-free. – Ben, 25 June 2025

Recent 1-star review (edited for conciseness):

Proceed with extreme caution. Prime Property Auctions do not show past auction results on their website, and have no track record of trustworthy sales to happy buyers. If you are a first-time buyer, or looking to invest your life savings a property, I would not recommend this company. – Stacey Clare, 4 November 2022

7. Savills

Average time to sell: 8-10 weeks

Savills is one of the UK’s biggest names in property auctions. The international auction house has over 100 years’ experience and has sold tens of thousands of properties. However, what you’re getting with Savills is a traditional auction house that’s allowing buyers to bid off site via telephone, online or proxy. So it doesn’t seem to have dedicated online auctions or intuitive platforms for sellers like the MMoA companies on this list. Instead, buyers are typically bidding on traditional auctions without having to be there in person. 

Savills is known for having a high success rate and average sale price, which may partly be due to its recognisable name, wide reach and rich history. However, it also applies more traditional auction elements to its online auctions, including sellers having to pay high commission and marketing fees. These equate to 2.5% + VAT of the property value (minimum £1,250 + VAT) and a £500 + VAT entry fee, which covers marketing and admin costs. 

Recent 5-star review (auction only): 

I am immensely grateful to Jay Jhumat of Savills for selling my flat in an auction. This was my first experience of an auction and Jay was professional, helpful and friendly throughout the whole process, keeping me updated every step of the way and explaining everything clearly to me. Finally, my flat sold at a higher price than I anticipated. I highly recommend Jay. – Rosemary Hall, 25 May 2025

Recent 1-star review (auction only – edited for clarity):

Refused to call me back for two weeks. I tried calling multiple times, as I was just trying to get some basic details of a property, view and find out where the auction was. Just a waste of my time. Why have someone on staff if they don't do anything? – Jonathan Harte, 10 October 2023

8. Allsop

Average time to sell: 8-10 weeks

Allsop offers online and live-stream auctions. This gives you the option of selling your house with a 24/7 online approach or through a traditional auction with an auctioneer that’s streamed to potential buyers around the world. Like Savills, Allsop charges a £650 to £750 + VAT entry fee to cover marketing and admin costs, as well as 2.5% + VAT commission after your property has sold, according to Property Auctions. 

When it comes to sales, Allsop performs near the top of this group, seeing almost 4,500 transactions in the last 12 months. It’s also known for its vast market reach and high sale prices. It doesn’t have a good reputation online, as its Trustpilot rating is 2.3/5. This comes from only 36 testimonials, but 80% these are 1-star reviews. However, some of these reviews are about its property management services, so this may not be an accurate reflection of its online auction services. 

Recent 5-star review: 

Excellent result from recent auction handled very ably by David Evans. Really surprised and delighted at the upside by David who really knew how best to go about selling this property at auction. Highly recommend Allsop auctions for sellers. – Don, 19 June 2024

Recent 1-star review (edited for conciseness):

Extremely disappointed with my experience. The Allsop auction team held my deposit for 10 days (by now) with no explanation and no communication. I reached out to multiple email addresses, but received no response whatsoever. It’s not over. – Li Jie, 24 June 2025

9. The Property Auction Company

Average time to sell: 8-10 weeks

The Property Auction Company (TPAC) is one of the newest online house auction sites in the UK, yet has already sold more than 1,000 properties. It offers a slightly different approach to the rest, with off-market property listings discounted by the owners for quick sales. Full disclosure, this is the new auction arm of our well-established and respected cash property buying company. So it also benefits from our 100-plus years of collective experience in the property industry and customer-focused services. 

These services for sellers include expert property valuations and advice, a nationwide network of buyers and weekly online property auctions. The company also follows online auction best practices, including AML checks and an easy registration and bidding process. Although TPAC doesn’t have any Trustpilot reviews right now, it’s been set up by the same team as The Property Buying Company, which has a 4.6 Trustpilot rating from over 2,500 reviews. 

Recent 5-star review (TPBC): 

My dealings with the Property Buying Company have been amazing. Kirsty Rowett and Justine Middleton have been so helpful, always willing to go above and beyond for clients to assist in a smooth transaction. Would highly recommend. – Pauline, 7 July 2025

Recent 1-star review (TPBC – edited for conciseness):

Really poor in every way, particularly communication. Messages left, calls made, no responses received. – Daisy Daring, 17 March 2025

Are online property auctions legitimate?

Online auctions in the UK are absolutely legit, as they must comply with the same regulations and legal safeguards as traditional auctions. This includes the Estate Agents Act 1979, which is official UK Government legislation dictating transparency, fairness, compliance and other trading standards that protect everyone involved in a property transaction. They must also uphold The Consumer Protection from Unfair Trading Regulations 2008, which also ensures fair and honest trading. 

On top of these UK laws and legislations, legitimate online auction houses are overseen by well-established real estate regulatory bodies. This include the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS), who provide a guide on their property auction regulations, and the National Association of Valuers and Auctioneers (NAVA) Propertymark. Members of NAVA Propertymark should be legitimate auction houses who uphold the highest trading standards.

How to choose the best online house auction site for you

The UK has many different online house auction sites, which all offer different perks. Deciding which one is the best for you involves clearly laying out your needs as a seller or buyer, then prioritising them. Generally speaking, you should ask the following questions when researching for your best option:

1. What fees will you pay as a seller or buyer? 

2. How big is the auction house’s reach (i.e. local, regional or national)? 

3. Are they registered or compliant with all the necessary regulatory bodies? 

4. Do they have positive Trustpilot reviews and a good overall rating? 

5. Do they offer multiple online auction options (e.g. live-streaming events and 24/7 auctions)? 

6. Do they sell your property type (e.g. commercial, residential, land etc.)?

7. Do they have a good sales record in the last 12 months? This should be 80% or higher with at least 1,000 sales.

8. Are they known for good communication?

9. Do they provide marketing and legal support?

10. Do they have examples of their listings online?

These are just some of the questions you should consider before choosing a company to use. There will be many more to ask, but these eight will at least give you a clearer idea of the kind of service you should expect.

5 most trusted online house auction sites

Here’s a quick list of the most trusted online property auction sites. We’ve put this together using third-party data from review sites, including Trustpilot, Google Reviews and Reviews.io. We’ve also taken the amount of reviews into consideration, placing more weight on companies with a higher number of testimonials. This is just a topline view, so we still recommend researching their businesses and practices deeply, including individual reviews, before committing to one. 

Pros and cons of online property auctions

There are numerous benefits, risks and considerations when selling or buying property through an online auction. We’ll break down the pros and cons compared to other ways you can sell or buy property. 

Do you need a solicitor for an online house auction?

Yes, you definitely need a solicitor when you’re selling or buying property through an online auction. A solicitor experienced in property auctions will handle a lot of important elements throughout the process. This includes: 

• Conducting legal checks before bidding, including reviewing the legal pack for any issues (e.g. title defects or planning restrictions).

• Creating and reviewing the contact after the sale. For online auctions, these contracts usually dictate a 56-day window for the sale to be completed after the hammer fall. 

• Checking any important documents, such as title deeds and easements. 

“Buying a property at auction is different from buying through an estate agent because there is no waiting around for searches and conveyancing. The auction house will have all of this information in the legal pack,” writes Samantha Collett for the Guardian. “Before you even think about bidding, you will need a trusted solicitor who is familiar with the auction process.”

How much does it cost to sell at an online property auction?

The cost of selling your house or flat at an auction varies depending on the online house auction site you choose and the eventual sale price of your property. Some auction houses charge you commission on top of an entry fee (e.g. Allsop and Savills). Other auction houses don’t charge you anything, putting this cost onto the buyers, which can result in lower offers. There are also some that use partner agents for each seller, who charge their own fees. Then there are some auction houses that have a no-sale-no-fee setup, but may still charge you a fee to use their platform. 

Here are some of the typical costs associated with selling at an online house auction:

Below is an example of how this might break down if you choose an online auction where you have all three of those costs.

Let’s say you sell your property for £350,000. You might end up paying the following in fees: 

• Commission: 2.5% + 20% VAT of £350,000 = £10,500

• Entry Fee: £500 + 20% VAT = £600

• Solicitor Fees: £400

• Total Cost: £11,500

Common pitfalls of buying or selling through online property auctions

Before you sell or buy through an auction, you should be aware of common mistakes people make. Failing to take these into consideration can cost you time and money. Even worse, you could end up facing legal consequences. 

1. Setting unrealistic price expectations

As a seller, you need to ensure your price expectations are realistic. The reserve price should be set based on market value, not emotional attachments or anything that can’t be substantiated by buyers. 

You should also consider a buyer’s other costs, such as stamp duty and auction house fees. The former increased earlier this year and those new stamp duty rates for residential property are now in effect. 

2. Not marketing the property enough

Ensure the auction house site you choose offers a marketing package. Otherwise, you’ll need to market the property yourself or pay a third party to do it. A lack of marketing can reduce buyer awareness and interest, leading to lower bids. 

3. Poor due diligence

Hire an experienced solicitor to perform proper due diligence across all legal documentation. This way you can ensure you’re not locked into any bad deals once the hammer falls. 

Likewise, if you can, pay for a surveyor to assess the property before the auction. Unfortunately, this isn’t always possible, especially for online house auctions and buyers are contractually committed to a house regardless of any defects that crop up. 

4. Bidding with emotion

You should only bid with the money you have. Before the auction begins, lay out your lowest and highest possible bids. Make sure these are financially sound and stick to them despite how the auction plays out. These environments can elicit high emotions, which can sometimes cause people to bid more money than they have. 

5. Not understanding the total costs

Whether you’re a seller or a buyer, make sure you account for any additional costs. These will either be deducted from your eventual earnings or added onto whatever you spend on the property. It may make the sale less enticing if you know what you need to spend to make it happen. 

6. Not preparing finances

Once the hammer falls, you only have 28 to 56 days to close the sale. You will save yourself a lot of time and stress if your finances are in order before the hammer fall. This means getting sign off on any loans. Failure to pay the full amount can result in legal consequences. 

7. Not reading the terms and conditions

Most online house auction sites have different terms and conditions. Things like withdrawal penalties and reservation fees should be double checked before you start bidding on property. 

8. Purchasing property that isn’t mortgageable

Not all property sold at auction is mortgageable. In fact, auctions have become of the places people turn to sell difficult property. Cash house buyers also purchase property in any condition. Before you bid on a property, make sure you’ve checked for any defects that could make your lender refuse your mortgage. Derelict houses and properties with short leaseholds are some examples where this might be the case. 

Why a cash buyer might be a good alternative

Are you looking at online house auction sites because you want to sell your property fast? If so, a professional cash house buyer might be a better option for you. The Property Buying Company specialises in quick house sales with cash. We also don’t charge you any fees for this service, handling all the solicitor and surveyor costs ourselves. 

While the Modern Method of Auction takes anywhere from 28 to 56 days to complete a sale, we can buy your house in 2-3 weeks. Sometimes, depending on the situation and property, we can do it as quickly as 7 days. 

There’s a chance you may get closer to 100% market value for your property at an online auction. However, this depends on the auction house you choose and the buyers that turn up during the auction. The price you eventually get may not be worth the additional cost and time of going through an online auction. 

If you’re interested in learning more, check out how a cash house buyer works. 

With that said, cash buyers aren’t the right option for everyone. If you think an online auction is the right route for you, visit The Property Auction Company. It’s a new property auction service we’ve set up to help people sell their houses quickly through nationwide auctions.

Online house auction FAQs