About Clive Emson Auctioneers
Clive Emson Auctioneers, founded in 1989, is one of the largest and most respected regional property auctioneers in the South East of England. They hold 6–7 major auction rounds per year, operating across multiple venues simultaneously — historically running concurrent sales in Maidstone, Eastbourne, Southampton, and other centres, with a joint catalogue covering all venues.
Their geographic coverage includes Kent, East Sussex, West Sussex, Surrey, Hampshire, the Isle of Wight, Essex, and Greater London. They are a significant market player in this region and sell hundreds of lots per round — residential, commercial, development land, and agricultural.
How Clive Emson Auctions Work
Clive Emson runs traditional unconditional auctions:
- Exchange of contracts at the fall of the hammer
- 10% deposit (minimum £1,500) payable immediately
- Completion within the period specified in the Special Conditions — typically 20–28 working days
- Remote and telephone bidding available on all lots in addition to room bidding
Their multi-venue format means each round covers a large number of lots, and the catalogue is released approximately 3–4 weeks before the sale. Legal packs are released as they become available from each seller's solicitor — pack quality and timing varies.
Accessing Clive Emson Legal Packs
- Register at cliveemson.co.uk
- Browse the current catalogue — available online and in printed form
- On each lot page, click "Legal Pack" to download or view documents
- Packs are updated as additional documents are received — check upload dates
- Sign up for email notifications when new documents are added to lots you're tracking
What's Typically in a Clive Emson Legal Pack
- Official Copy of Register of Title and Title Plan
- Special Conditions of Sale
- Local Authority Search — particularly important in South East England for conservation areas and coastal flood risk
- Drainage and Water Search
- Environmental Search
- TA6 and TA10 forms
- EPC
- Lease and management information (for leasehold lots)
- Tenancy documents (for tenanted lots)
Common Issues at Clive Emson Auctions
Conservation Areas and Listed Buildings
The South East has a high density of conservation areas and listed buildings — particularly in Kent (AONB villages), Sussex coastal towns, and historic Surrey settlements. The Local Authority search will reveal conservation area designation. In these areas:
- PVC windows, satellite dishes, and external alterations may require consent
- Permitted development rights are restricted
- Listed buildings have additional statutory protections
Coastal and Flood Risk Properties
Clive Emson's coverage includes significant coastal areas — Kent, Sussex, and Hampshire coastlines — with associated flood risk. The Environmental search covers flood risk zones, but Environment Agency flood mapping and the Risk of Flooding from Rivers and Sea (RoFRS) data should also be reviewed for any property near the coast or watercourses.
South East Agricultural and Amenity Land
The South East's AONB designations (Kent Downs, Sussex Downs, Surrey Hills, etc.) affect what can be built on agricultural and amenity land. Land within an AONB is not unbuildable, but planning policy is significantly more restrictive. Development hopes on AONB land without existing consent should be stress-tested carefully before bidding.
High Lot Volume Per Round
Clive Emson's joint catalogues can contain 250–350+ lots. This means their solicitors handle a very high volume of packs, and the quality and timing of individual packs can vary. Some packs are thorough and complete well in advance; others arrive late and incomplete. Always check what's there and what's missing before drawing conclusions.
Analyse This Auctioneer's Legal Packs in Minutes
Upload your Clive Emson legal pack and receive a risk report in minutes — covering coastal flood risk, conservation area flags, Special Conditions, and missing documents.
Upload your legal pack →Tips for Bidding at Clive Emson Auctions
- Check the Local Authority search carefully for conservation area status — relevant for most South East residential lots
- For coastal properties, supplement the Environmental search with Environment Agency flood data
- Land lots in AONBs require specialist planning advice before bidding
- Check for addendum documents published on auction day at each venue
- Confirm which venue is handling your lot if attending in person — Clive Emson runs multiple simultaneous locations
Frequently Asked Questions
Where does Clive Emson cover?
Clive Emson covers Kent, East and West Sussex, Surrey, Hampshire, the Isle of Wight, Essex, and Greater London. They are one of the most active regional auctioneers in the South East, running 6–7 major auction rounds per year.
How often does Clive Emson hold auctions?
Clive Emson holds 6–7 major auction rounds per year, each covering the full South East region across multiple venues. Each round runs on consecutive days in different locations from the same combined catalogue.
Can I bid remotely at Clive Emson auctions?
Yes — Clive Emson offers telephone and remote bidding on all lots in addition to attendance at the relevant venue. Register in advance to arrange remote bidding.