National property auctioneers Auction House and Network Auctions are both expanding their operations.

Auction House is opening two new auction rooms, the first covering Essex and the second in Staffordshire, taking the group’s total to 36 sale rooms across the UK.

Auction House said it has seen a 12% rise in auction lot sales during the first three months of the year.

It sold 509 lots in the quarter – up from 454 lots during the same period in 2013, with the amount raised climbing to £53.7m from £46.8m last year.

Auction House founding director Roger Lake, pictured, said: “Strong prices have been achieved, with regional auction rooms growing in popularity and taking an increasing share of sector sales.

“Noteworthy trends underpinning the strong performance included more tenanted property being offered as residential investments, the listing of some higher value family homes and a rise in demand from local buyers and amateur landlords.”

Meanwhile, competitor Network Auctions has announced a link with Birmingham auctioneers Pennycuick Collins.

The deal means that Network Auctions will run joint sales in Birmingham, as well as their own London auctions, increasing the number of auctions each year from six to 11.

Stuart Tullah, pictured in action, is the auctioneer with Pennycuick Collins which has been running auctions since 2002.

The first Network Auctions auction in association with Pennycuick Collins will take place at Birmingham City Football Club on May 14 at 11am.

Network Auctions also announced that three new partner agents have joined their national network, bringing the total number of offices that they work with to 50.

In the midlands, Goodchilds has joined and managing director David Warke said: “We have been looking at offering an auction service for some time, but it was very important to join forces with a like-minded organisation where the strength of our brand could be maintained and built upon.”

Network Auctions managing director Toby Limbrick said: “Adding Goodchilds’ 16 midlands offices to our network gives us unrivalled coverage in this part of the country, and combines the strengths of Goodchilds’ local network with our national auction coverage and London sale room.”

In Bristol, Haigh & Sons has joined, and in Lincolnshire, Hill & Clark, with offices in Boston, Spalding and Holbeach, is the third new recruit.

Network Auctions next auction will be held at the Cumberland Hotel at Marble Arch on May 1 at 2pm.