McHugh & Co

My sister purchased a flat in Maida Vale, W9, through an auction held by McHugh & Co. The auction catalogue and online listing clearly stated that the property had a lease term of “approximately 142 years unexpired.” Based on this information, she bid on and won the property, paying a 10% deposit and auction fees. However, after the auction, we discovered that the actual lease was only 52 years at the time of bidding, and any lease extension would only take place after completion—subject to further legal formalities. None of this was mentioned clearly in the auction listing or marketing material. This information was buried in legal documents that were not easily accessible before bidding. When we raised concerns, McHugh & Co. refused to take responsibility, referring us to the “special conditions” and disclaimers in the legal pack. But this is not acceptable: when a listing says “142 years unexpired,” it implies the lease already exists—not that it might happen later. We’ve since filed formal complaints with The Property Ombudsman, Trading Standards, and the Solicitors Regulation Authority regarding the misrepresentation and the conduct of the seller's solicitor. ⚠️ If you're considering bidding with McHugh & Co., be extremely careful. Their listings may not reflect the legal position of the property, and you risk losing a substantial deposit based on misleading information.