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Notaries' auctions

The official Châtelet' Chamber
property auction site

How to buy ?

How to bid ?

Place your bids yourself.
The method of sales "by candle" ensures that the bidders have a totally equal chance. The property is awarded to the last and highest bidder.

  • Auctions are public and open to everyone but only those bidders equipped with their badge can place bids for the property for which they placed the deposit.

  • At the start of the auction, the Chairman sets forth the general conditions of sale common to all the lots. The properties are then presented for sale, in principal according to the order in the official programme.

  • The notary of each seller provides a brief summary of the description of the property. He indicates whether or not there are any tenants, the fixed price, the amount of previous costs which will be charged to the buyer. He informs the buyers of any statements or information that may have been added to or have amended the specifications since they were signed by the seller.

  • The Chairman of the session then opens the bidding on the lot that has just been presented. From this moment, you are invited to freely place your bids yourself. If you so desire, you have the option to be assisted free of charge by a bidding notary. You make your bids by a hand movement, clearly pronouncing your badge number.

  • The Chairman of the session asks for subsequent bids and confirms each one out loud. He checks that all the bidders are displaying their badge number and that they have placed their deposit for the property up for sale. A screen located behind the rostrum allows the property up for sale to be displayed and the progress of the bids. The minimum bids are specified in the specifications.

  • The sales take place by candle. This involves small wicks or flames which, when they go out, allow smoke to rise which unambiguously indicates their extinction. It is after the extinction of 2 successive flames without a new bidder coming forward for the duration of their combustion (15 to 30 seconds) that the award is pronounced to the highest and last bidder. The auction by candle is a custom which dates back to the 15th century. Beyond its symbolic and legal significance (article 706 of the rules of civil procedure), this system allows for a sufficient period of reflection.

  • When the last bid has been placed and after two successive flames have gone out without a further bid being placed, the amount of the auction price and the badge number of the winning bidder are then announced by the sellers' notary.

    Important to note
  • The sequence of an auction can be viewed on our website !

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