Landlord’s Guide to Selling Property at Auction

Selling at auction can be an efficient and reliable way for landlords to secure a buyer quickly. For those reviewing their property portfolios or looking to exit the rental market, auction offers a streamlined route with fewer delays and greater certainty.

Landlords may choose to sell their property either vacant or with tenants in situ, but each approach comes with different considerations. If you’re thinking about selling at auction, here are the key factors to keep in mind.

 
Why Are Landlords Selling Property at Auction?

In recent years, more landlords have chosen to sell up, and auction has become a popular route to exiting the market quickly and securely. Reasons vary—from rising legislative requirements and increasing operating costs to changes in personal or financial circumstances.

Empty properties can also drain finances, with ongoing bills still payable. Many local authorities charge a Council Tax premium on homes empty for 12 months or more, and this surcharge typically increases the longer a property stands vacant.

Against this backdrop, selling at auction offers a structured, time-bound process that reduces ongoing costs and allows landlords to sell investment properties efficiently—whether they’re looking to release funds, reduce liabilities or step away from the sector entirely.

A key decision is whether to sell the property vacant or tenanted. This will depend on your circumstances and local demand—whether the area is more attractive to investors or owner-occupiers.

 
Selling a Vacant Property at Auction

Most landlords choose to sell a property once it becomes vacant. Selling without tenants widens your potential buyer pool, as both investors and owner-occupiers can bid.

You may reach this point naturally at the end of a tenancy, or you could give notice to your tenants (within legal requirements). However, with the proposed abolition of Section 21 notices, gaining vacant possession may become more complex. You should also account for the costs associated with a void period in the run-up to auction.

 
Selling a Tenanted Property at Auction

Many investors actively seek properties with tenants already in place, as they can start earning rental income immediately. Meanwhile, you continue receiving rent until the sale completes.

Selling a tenanted property involves additional documentation and transparency. The tenancy agreement usually transfers with the sale, and you’ll need to provide evidence such as:

• Right to Rent documentation
• Rental deposit details
• Inventory reports
• Safety and regulatory certificates
• Records of maintenance and repairs
• Buyers will also want insight into the tenants: Have they paid rent on time? Have there been disputes? Reliable tenants can increase demand and potentially raise the sale price.

Open communication with your tenants is essential. Inform them early that you’re selling the property, arrange photography and viewings at mutually convenient times, and keep them updated once the auction sale is confirmed. Clear communication helps avoid stress and uncertainty for everyone involved.

 
Selling Multiple Assets at Auction

Landlords with several properties can sell multiple assets in the same auction—either individually as separate lots or as a combined portfolio. Multi-unit sites, such as blocks of flats, can also be offered as one lot.

For landlords leaving the market, auction provides an efficient, consolidated way to sell multiple assets at once, saving time, reducing administration and potentially lowering costs. Portfolios are often attractive to investors looking to grow or diversify their holdings quickly.

 
Sell Your Property or Portfolio at Auction

If you’re considering selling your property or portfolio at auction, BTG Eddisons Property Auctions offers a free, no‑obligation appraisal and expert support throughout the entire process.

As one of the UK’s leading property auction houses, with monthly Live Streamed and Multi-Lot Timed Auctions and daily Single-Lot Timed Auctions, we have extensive experience successfully marketing and selling assets on behalf of landlords.

Whether you are selling a residential, commercial, industrial or mixed-use property, our auctioneers can guide you from appraisal through to completion.