Quick answer
More property went to auction in September 2026, but less of it sold. Figures from Essential Information Group (EIG) show 4,903 lots offered across the UK, up 5.7% on September 2025, while lots sold fell 2.5% to 3,230 and the success rate dropped from 71.4% to 65.9%. Total raised fell 12.8% to £593.7m. Auctioneers describe the market as resilient but price sensitive, with vacant homes that need modernising still the most popular lots. For buyers, that means more choice and more room to negotiate, as long as finance is lined up before the hammer falls and the deal works at today's values.
What the September figures show
EIG collects results from auction houses across the UK each month. Its October newsletter, covering September 2026, compares the month with September 2025:
- Lots offered: 4,903, up 5.7% from 4,637
- Lots sold: 3,230, down 2.5% from 3,313
- Success rate: 65.9%, down from 71.4%
- Total raised: £593.7m, down 12.8% from £680.5m
Residential lots drove the rise in supply. Residential entries rose 8.1% to 4,382, but residential sales slipped 1.1% to 2,873, giving a residential success rate of 65.6%. Commercial was weaker: 521 commercial lots were offered, down 10.8%, and the commercial total raised fell 39.2% to £89.4m.
EIG's founder, David Sandeman, said national auction activity "picked up in September following the quieter summer period". As reported by The Intermediary, Matt Burrows of NAVA Propertymark welcomed the growth but warned that "growth in supply is not being matched by sales".
A resilient market, but a price-sensitive one
Auctioneers' own views back the numbers up. In NAVA Propertymark's review of the third quarter, published on 30 September, its president Stuart Collar-Brown said "vacant houses and flats in need of modernisation remain the most popular kind of lot at many auctions", and that speculative parcels of land and garages tend to perform well. Matt Burrows summed it up: "Overall, I would describe the market as resilient rather than easy."
The same review noted that some landlords and property companies are moving from residential into commercial investment, citing the Renters' Rights Act. That fits the wider shift we cover in our news piece on landlords in autumn 2026.
The longer view is steadier. Savills said in September that its ten auctions in the first half of 2026 sold 1,591 lots for more than £470m, with a 76% success rate, and that lots sold under the hammer averaged 23.5% above guide price. Auctions remain a busy route to buy, but buyers are now more selective about what they pay.
What it means if you are buying with auction finance
A falling success rate is not bad news for buyers. It means more lots, less competition on some of them and more chances to buy below the price a seller first hoped for. The rules of the room have not changed, though. At a traditional auction you exchange contracts when the hammer falls and usually have around 28 days to complete. Our guide to buying at auction and the 28 day completion explains the timetable in detail.
That is why auction finance, usually a bridging loan, is so widely used. In the latest Bridging Trends figures, auction purchases made up 14% of bridging lending in the second quarter, as covered in our Q2 bridging market report. Lenders on our panel can often move quickly on auction purchases, but only when the work is done early:
- Agree terms before you bid. A decision in principle tells you what a lender is likely to offer, so your maximum bid is based on real numbers.
- Read the legal pack with your solicitor. Special conditions, extra fees and title problems affect both the price and whether a lender will accept the property.
- Expect the lender's own valuation. If it comes in below the hammer price, you fund the gap. See how lenders value property for bridging.
Vacant, tired and unmortgageable lots
The lots auctioneers say are most in demand, vacant homes that need modernising, are often the ones a high street mortgage lender will not touch. A property without a working kitchen or bathroom, or with structural issues, may need a bridge to buy it and fund the work before it can be sold or refinanced. Our guide to bridging loans for unmortgageable property covers how lenders look at these cases.
If the plan is cosmetic work, light refurbishment finance can include the cost of works. If the property needs structural change, a change of use or planning, look at heavy refurbishment finance. Land and garage lots, which auctioneers say often perform well, usually need land finance rather than a standard residential bridge.
Lots that do not sell
With a third of lots unsold in September, more property is available after the auction. Unsold lots can often be bought by agreeing a price with the auctioneer, sometimes on the same contract terms. The deadline usually stays short, so the same preparation applies. If a seller will accept less for a quick sale, below market value bridging explains how lenders treat a purchase price below the valuation.
Whatever you buy, decide how the bridge will be repaid before you commit: a sale after works, or a refinance onto a buy-to-let mortgage. Our guide to bridging exit strategies sets out what lenders expect to see. When you are ready, we search the market and approach the lenders whose criteria fit your lot.
Common questions
What was the auction success rate in September 2026?
EIG reported a national success rate of 65.9% in September 2026, down from 71.4% in September 2025. Of 4,903 lots offered, 3,230 sold.
How long do I have to complete after buying at auction?
At a traditional auction, usually around 28 days from the fall of the hammer, but the conditions of sale in the legal pack set the exact date. Modern method auctions work differently.
Can I get finance agreed before an auction?
Yes. Many buyers get a decision in principle from a bridging lender before bidding, so they know what they can borrow. The lender still needs a valuation and legal checks before it releases funds.
Can I buy a property that did not sell at auction?
Often, yes. Unsold lots can be negotiated after the auction, usually on short completion terms, so finance needs to be lined up just as it would be on the day.
This article reports news and published figures as at 17 October 2026. It is for general information only and is not legal, tax or financial advice. Bridge & Build Finance is a commercial finance brokerage service, not a lender. Finance is subject to status, lender criteria, valuation, underwriting and approval.
