Online property auctions for a local area
Run timed online property auctions for sellers in your region and earn commission on each lot sold.
- £3k-15k
- Part-time
- Online
Estimates for a small start in the UK, not guarantees.
Official data
37,124 UK companies in this field, 28% registered in the last 2 years
SIC 68310 “Real estate agencies”. Source: Companies House, November 2026.
What it is
A small independent auction business that lists houses, land and unusual properties in online or timed auctions. You work from home or a small office and visit properties to value them and prepare the legal packs.
Your first three steps
- Spend time on local auction houses' catalogues and results to see which properties sell and what fees they charge
- Talk to a property solicitor and an insurer about how auction contracts, legal packs and held deposits would work for you
- Pick an online auction platform, then approach local solicitors, probate firms and landlords for your first few lots
Who pays
Sellers such as private owners, landlords, executors handling probate, developers and local solicitors. Buyers may also pay a fee in some auction models.
How it makes money
Commission on each lot sold, usually a percentage of the sale price. Many auctioneers also charge a listing or marketing fee up front, whether or not the lot sells.
Skills that help
- Local property knowledge
- Sales and negotiation
- Attention to legal and paperwork detail
- Building trust with sellers and solicitors
Watch out for
- Check whether you must join a government-approved redress scheme for property sales
- Check anti-money-laundering registration and checks on buyers and sellers, for example with HMRC
- Professional indemnity and public liability insurance
- Check how buyers' deposits are held and protected, since you may be handling other people's money
- Accurate listings: misleading descriptions can breach consumer protection law
- Income can be uneven and lots may fail to sell, so keep a cash buffer
Deep research report · UK
Everything you need to start: online property auctions for a local area
Researched with live web search for United Kingdom: real startup prices, the licences and rules, what others charge, a break-even example, how to find your first customers and a 30-day launch plan. With sources.
- Startup costs with real prices
- Licences, registration and rules
- Pricing: what others charge
- Break-even example
- Finding your first customers
- 30-day launch plan
- Risks and how to reduce them
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to start an online property auction business?
Startup costs are typically around £3,000 to £15,000, depending on your auction platform, marketing, insurance and whether you work from home or a small office. Treat this as an estimate and get quotes for your own plans.
How much can a small online property auctioneer earn?
Monthly revenue is typically estimated at around £1,500 to £7,500, depending on how many lots you list and sell and your commission terms. Income can be uneven and lots may fail to sell, so keep a cash buffer.
What rules should I check before running property auctions?
Check whether you must join a government-approved redress scheme, and anti-money-laundering registration and checks, for example with HMRC. Also check how buyers' deposits are held and protected, and the professional indemnity and public liability insurance you need.
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