On the Auction Day

The time from 'start to fall of the gavel' can be fast. We want you though to be comfortable once you join us, so here is an outline of the process.

Auctioneer's announcements: Our auctioneers open proceedings with preliminary remarks and announcements. They may affect the property you aim to buy so we suggest you arrive promptly even though the lot you may be interested in may be towards the end of the auction.
Auction day amendments: Sellers/solicitors may amend details up to the time of auction. Do check with us prior whether your property has sold prior/ been withdrawn/ subject to change. Don't forget to get a copy of the final version of the addendum which is available in the auction room and ensure that you have seen and understand any addenda relating to the property for which you are bidding. Guide prices may also change during the marketing period. An up to date list is available in the auction room.
Auction day assistance We do want your time with us to be rewarding and as pleasant as possible. If you have any questions we usually have the sellers' solicitors standing by or any of the Acuitus team are there to help you. If you have any special needs regarding access or seating or disabilities where you require our assistance please let us know. We will do our utmost to be of service.

Auction procedure:-

Please bid in time and clearly. You are important to us and we don't want to miss your bid.
If you are the highest accepted bidder when the gavel falls you are under a binding contract to purchase a property. An Acuitus team member will give you a purchaser's card.
Write your name and address as the bidder; details of the buyer if this is different and the name and address of the solicitor who is acting for the buyer. This information is used to complete the memorandum of sale, printed in the back of the catalogue.
At this point we ask for a deposit cheque for 10% of the purchase price drawn on a UK clearing bank and payable to the seller's solicitor unless the Special Conditions of Sale mention something else. The cheque is specially cleared as soon as possible so please ensure you have adequate funds in your account. We do not accept cash.
At the same time you will be asked for two original forms of identification to meet the Money Laundering Regulations 2007 (Further information can be obtained by viewing the core guidance notes on the OFT website.)
On completion we will guide you to our contract table to sign the memorandum of sale and any other relevant documents. We will give you copies of the signed documents which you should give to your solicitor.
VAT may be charged on the purchase price. Please read the Special Conditions of Sale relevant to the lot you are bidding for prior to auction.

If you wish to speak to the auctioneer or if you have any questions please ask us before the auction begins. We will do our best to answer you ourselves or ask the seller's solicitor to do so.

For more information please contact us.