Tender - For Sale by

Technically, a tender is any formal offer set out in writing. In relation to the sale of property it is an unusual method of sale although it has potential merit – more certainty than selling by private treaty with more flexibility and discretion than selling by public auction.

There are two main styles of sale by tender – formal and informal.
A formal sale by tender is largely similar to a public auction with all the terms and legal documentation being published in advance. All the potential buyers are then invited to submit their best offer using the printed tender document submitted by a set time and date. Unlike a sale by auction the bidding is secret and, accordingly, each prospective buyer must decide their top price without guidance from the strength of rival bidding in the room.

In the tender conditions the seller will usually reserve the right not to accept the highest (or any) price although in most cases the seller will accept the best price. It is, however, his decision. In contrast, at an auction, the seller has no right to refuse the best offer (once bidding exceeds the reserve) and therefore he cannot reject a particular buyer for personal reasons.

It would be unusual for formal tenders to be invited on a ‘subject to contract’ basis as that would have little benefit to anyone. This means the formal acceptance immediately creates a binding contract.

That side an informal tender might be arranged on a fairly ad-hoc basis inviting best offers though still, technically, ‘subject to contract’. This could be arranged as an alternative to a contract race where there are several contenders. Each one being invited to submit a ‘best and final offer’, subject only to contract, with the seller effectively offering to give the top bidder a short but exclusive period to complete the legal investigations and exchange contracts unconditionally.

Sometimes all the prospective buyers will be invited to attend a meeting with the seller-client present when the offers can be opened in their presence so that everyone can see the arrangements were fair and impartial.

In effect, this is not so dissimilar to the approach adopted in Scotland when a property is proving popular. Then a closing date will be set and all prospective buyers invited to submit their best offer. One is then accepted and formal missives agreed.