Quick take: An auction legal pack is the bundle of documents a seller provides about a property being sold at auction. Understanding what each document tells you--and what it does not--is essential because once the hammer falls you are committed.

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Why the Legal Pack Exists

In a private treaty sale, your solicitor raises enquiries and requests searches over several weeks. At auction, there is no time for that. The legal pack is the seller's way of saying: "Here is everything we are sharing. Do your own checks."

1. Title Register and Title Plan

Official documents from HM Land Registry showing who owns the property, what type of ownership it is, and any charges, covenants, or rights affecting it. The title plan shows the property's boundaries on a map.

2. Special Conditions of Sale

This is arguably the most important document in the pack. It sets out terms specific to this sale that override the general auction conditions. Common provisions include:

• The completion deadline (often 20 business days)

• Any buyer's premium or auctioneer's fees

• Contributions to the seller's costs

• VAT status (critical for commercial property)

Sellers and their solicitors draft these conditions to protect the seller, not the buyer. Read every clause.

3. Property Information Forms (TA6 and TA10)

The TA6 covers boundary disputes, planning permissions, guarantees, and environmental issues. The TA10 lists which fixtures and fittings are included. Not all sellers complete these thoroughly, particularly in repossession or probate sales where the seller may have limited knowledge.

4. Local Authority Search

Reveals information held by the local council: planning applications, building control completion certificates, tree preservation orders, conservation areas, and nearby road schemes. A missing building control certificate for an extension means the local authority never signed off the work. That is something you need to know about before bidding.

5. Environmental and Drainage Searches

Environmental searches flag contaminated land, flood risk zones, and ground stability issues. Drainage searches confirm mains water and sewerage connections. If a property is not connected to mains drainage, it may have a septic tank or cesspit, which brings its own maintenance obligations.

6. The Lease (for Leasehold Properties)

If the property is leasehold, the pack should include the lease. Key points:

• Remaining term: Under 80 years means expensive extension costs

• Ground rent: Does it escalate? Doubling ground rents can make properties unmortgageable

• Service charges: What are you paying for, and how much?

• Restrictions: Can you sublet? Keep pets? Alter the property?

What Might Be Missing

Not all legal packs are complete. A sparse legal pack is not necessarily a reason to walk away, but it is a reason to exercise extra caution. The less information available, the more risk you carry.

FAQ

How early can I get the legal pack?

Most auctioneers make legal packs available for download from their website, often several weeks before the auction. Download it as early as possible to give yourself time for review.

How much does a professional review cost?

A solicitor's review typically costs between 200 and 500 pounds depending on complexity. AI screening tools can provide a faster initial assessment, though they do not replace a full legal review.

Disclaimer: This article is general information, not financial, tax, or legal advice.