A property data firm has launched a comparative index ranking Britain’s leading auction houses based on performance metrics including success rates, geographic coverage and transparency.
UncommonDeal’s UK Auction House Performance Index scores auction houses on six criteria: lots sold, success rate, geographic coverage, investor suitability, transparency and auction frequency. The index aims to provide a framework for investors, landlords and developers to compare auction houses on a consistent basis.
Savills topped the rankings with a score of 100 out of 100, followed by Allsop at 94 and SDL Property Auctions at 88. Auctions House UK scored 86, with Barnard Marcus at 82 completing the top five. Clive Emson, Pattinson, Acuitus, Network Auctions and Hollis Morgan rounded out the top 10.
Beyond guide prices
Koye Beckley, founder of UncommonDeal, said the research reveals differences between auction houses that may not be apparent from headline guide prices alone. “Property auctions can look like a single market from the outside, but our analysis shows meaningful differences between individual auction houses, particularly around success rates, buyer costs and the types of opportunities they bring to market,” Beckley said.
The index comes as property investors continue to navigate shifting market conditions in the UK housing sector. Auction purchases often require additional financing, with some investors turning to bridging loans to complete acquisitions quickly.
Beckley noted that buyers should consider factors beyond property volume when selecting an auction house. “Buyer fees, legal-pack conditions, refurbishment costs and the realistic resale or rental value can materially change whether an auction property represents a good investment,” he said.
UncommonDeal stated the index should serve as a starting point for due diligence rather than replace individual lot reviews, legal pack analysis and local market research. The firm emphasised that investors should assess which auction houses align with their specific investment strategies before bidding.
