Most people associate the word auction with a chairman and hammer calling the last bid on antiques or a garage sale to the highest bidder: An invaluable collector’s item for a true bargain A notary can also hold auctions. Usually these are registered property such as houses, land or ships. Before an auction at the notary can take place there is a specific process in which a number of steps, as dictated by law have to be are completed. The notary can auction on behalf of mortgagor (in most cases a bank), a creditor with a repossession order or on behalf of the owner (voluntary auction) When the notary is instructed to hold an auction, a date is set. By law, the owner of the object must be informed (if the auction isn’t voluntary), the items to be auctioned and special auction conditions must be published and usually there is an option for a direct bid.