About McHugh & Co
McHugh & Co is an established London property auctioneer with a strong track record in residential and commercial lots across London and the wider South East. They hold traditional auction events several times per year, drawing buyers from across the investment and professional community.
Their lots frequently include: tenanted residential investments (individual flats, houses, and small portfolios), probate sales where properties are being sold by executors, LPA receiver sales of repossessed properties, and mixed-use commercial property. London leasehold flats make up a significant proportion of their residential stock.
How McHugh & Co Auctions Work
McHugh & Co runs traditional unconditional auctions:
- Exchange of contracts occurs at the fall of the hammer
- A 10% deposit is payable immediately
- Completion is typically 20–28 working days from exchange (check the Special Conditions)
- Withdrawal after the hammer falls means forfeiting the deposit
Accessing McHugh & Co Legal Packs
Legal packs are available on the McHugh & Co website. Register, browse the current catalogue, and download documents from the individual lot pages. Packs are typically released 2–3 weeks before the auction and may be updated as documents are added.
What to Expect in a McHugh & Co Legal Pack
Given their concentration in London residential lots, you will frequently encounter:
- Leasehold titles — London flats are almost invariably leasehold. The lease document, management information, and service charge history are essential reading
- Special Conditions — check for seller's costs, any restriction on the buyer's use, and the completion period
- Title register and plan
- Conveyancing searches — particularly relevant in London for planning history, conservation areas, and TPOs in older residential areas
- Tenancy documents — on tenanted lots, confirm the tenancy type and deposit protection status
- Management information — service charge accounts, reserve fund, any major works notices
Common Issues at McHugh & Co Auctions
London Leasehold Complexity
London flats are almost universally leasehold. The key issues to check on every McHugh & Co leasehold lot:
- Lease length — under 85 years warrants investigation; under 80 years is a significant problem for mortgage lenders
- Ground rent — doubling ground rent clauses have caused lenders to refuse mortgages on affected properties
- Service charge history — London freeholders and managing agents vary widely in quality; check the accounts
- Major works — London flats in older mansion blocks frequently face significant planned works; check for s20 notices
- Building cladding — post-Grenfell, some London flats require EWS1 certification for mortgage purposes
Probate and Receiver Sales
On probate lots, sellers have limited knowledge of the property. "Not known" answers on TA6 forms are standard and should not be interpreted as concealment. However, they mean you have less information to rely on — your due diligence on the physical property and title must be more thorough.
On receiver sales, the LPA receiver has a duty to sell at the best available price but limited knowledge of the property's history. Expect minimal TA6 disclosure and concentrate your review on the title register and searches.
Analyse This Auctioneer's Legal Packs in Minutes
Upload your McHugh & Co legal pack — especially for London leasehold lots — and get a full risk report including lease analysis, service charge review, and Special Conditions flags.
Upload your legal pack →Tips for Bidding at McHugh & Co Auctions
- Check lease length immediately on every London flat — do this before reading anything else
- Request the management information pack if it's absent — particularly important in London where service charges can be substantial
- Investigate EWS1 status for flats in buildings over 11 metres — mortgage lenders and some cash buyers require this certificate
- For probate and receiver lots, focus your review on the title and searches rather than the TA6
Frequently Asked Questions
What does McHugh & Co specialise in?
McHugh & Co specialises in London and South East property, with a high proportion of leasehold residential flats, tenanted investment properties, and probate or receiver sales.
How do McHugh & Co auctions work?
Traditional unconditional auction format. Exchange occurs at the hammer, 10% deposit is due immediately, and completion is typically within 20–28 working days.
Do I need to check EWS1 status for McHugh & Co flats?
For flats in buildings over 11 metres, you should check whether an EWS1 certificate exists. Without one, many mortgage lenders will refuse to lend, and some buyers will not purchase. This is particularly relevant for post-war London mansion blocks and 1980s/1990s purpose-built flats.