UK online property auctions

How a secure online property auction should work.

A clear buyer and seller journey from registration, legal-pack review and live bidding through to winner confirmation, memorandum steps, solicitor handover and completion tracking.

Start bidder checks Sell by auction

Verified biddersLegal-pack transparencyReserve protectionFair-bidding extension

Choose your route

Two journeys. One controlled auction room.

Switch between the buyer and seller journeys to see how each party moves through the auction process.

01Account and identity

Create your bidder account

Start with a secure account, verified contact details and buyer identity checks. The auction room only works when every active bidder has completed the required readiness steps.

Email and mobile verifiedIdentity checks startedFunding route identified

Auction lot experience

Every visible signal has a job.

The lot page must make the auction state obvious: current bid, minimum next bid, reserve status, legal-pack access, bidder readiness, countdown timing, fair-bidding extension and completion next steps.

Verified bidders only enter the live auction room.
Legal-pack acknowledgement is required before bidding eligibility.
Minimum next bid is calculated from the current bid and increment rules.
Auto-bid never exceeds the bidder's authorised maximum.
Late-bid extension keeps final-minute bidding fair.
Winner confirmation moves into clear payment and solicitor next steps.

Countdown timerLive

Accurate closing time and extension status stay visible on the lot page.

Reserve statusProtected

Reserve met or not met is shown without exposing the confidential reserve price.

Bid checksVerified

Bid eligibility, minimum increment and auction timing are checked before acceptance.

Recorded activityClear

Bid history, notifications, legal-pack acknowledgement and completion events are retained.

For buyers

From watchlist to winner file.

Build confidence before bidding: save lots, complete checks, read the legal pack, set alerts, use auto-bid where appropriate and be ready for the next steps if you win.

Browse auctions Register to bid Read buyer guide

For sellers

From valuation to completion control.

Prepare the lot, approve the reserve, track buyer demand and keep the post-auction handover moving from one seller workspace.

Sell property Open seller portal Why choose us

Common questions

Clear answers before anyone bids.

What does reserve met or not met mean?

The reserve is the confidential minimum figure agreed with the seller. The page can show whether bidding has reached that level without revealing the reserve amount.

Why do buyers need checks before bidding?

Property auctions are serious legal transactions. Identity, legal-pack and payment-readiness checks protect sellers, buyers and the integrity of the auction room.

What happens in the final minutes?

If a qualifying bid is placed in the closing window, the auction may extend automatically. This prevents last-second sniping and gives active bidders time to respond.

Can sellers track interest before the auction closes?

Yes. The seller dashboard is designed to show readiness, buyer interest, watchers, legal-pack views, messages and auction-manager next actions.

What happens when I win?

Letterbox opens the winner next steps with confirmation, payment instructions, solicitor details, memorandum steps and the completion timetable set by the legal pack.

Do sellers pay to list?

No. Sellers can list through Letterbox with no seller listing charge, no marketing fee and no estate-agent commission from the seller side.