Help to Buy Valuation
A RICS Red Book valuation required by Homes England (or the relevant Help to Buy agent) when you repay your Help to Buy equity loan, remortgage or sell a property purchased through the Help to Buy scheme.
Because your Help to Buy equity loan is a percentage of the property's current market value — not the price you originally paid — Homes England requires an independent, professionally prepared valuation to calculate the repayment amount. An estate agent's appraisal or a desktop estimate is not accepted. Our RICS Registered Valuers produce every report to the exact format and standard the Help to Buy scheme demands.
Help to Buy Valuation Features
Our Home Surveyor & Property Valuer Accreditation & Professional Membership
Our Help to Buy Valuations are carried out by qualified surveyors who belong to the professional bodies that set UK property standards. Every report is prepared to recognised guidance and is completely independent, so you can rely on the findings when you buy, sell or value a home.
What Is a Help to Buy Valuation?
A Help to Buy valuation is a RICS Red Book valuation that determines the current open market value of a property purchased under the government's Help to Buy equity loan scheme. Homes England — or the Help to Buy agent managing the loan — requires this valuation whenever you want to repay part or all of the equity loan, remortgage the property or sell it. The valuation is used to calculate the exact amount you owe, because your equity loan is a percentage of the property's current value, not the original purchase price.
What It Covers
- A RICS Red Book market valuation of the property's current open market value
- An internal and external inspection of the property by an RICS Registered Valuer
- A valuation figure that Homes England or your Help to Buy agent can use to calculate your loan repayment
- A full description of the property, its accommodation, condition and location
- Analysis of comparable properties sold in the local area to support the valuation
- The valuer's RICS registration details, as required by the Help to Buy scheme
- A report that meets all the formatting and content requirements set by Homes England
What It Does Not Cover
- The calculation of your Help to Buy loan repayment amount (the agent does this)
- A structural survey or detailed building defects report
- Advice on the Help to Buy scheme terms or loan conditions
- An estimate of the property's value from an estate agent (these are not accepted)
- Negotiation with Homes England or the Help to Buy agent on your behalf
- Valuation of non-Help to Buy properties for other purposes
Is a Help to Buy Valuation Right for You?
A Help to Buy valuation is required in specific circumstances by the scheme rules. Here is how to tell whether you need one.
Suitable For
- Repaying a Help to Buy equity loan (full or partial repayment)
- Remortgaging a Help to Buy property
- Selling a Help to Buy property
- Staircasing (buying additional equity shares in the property)
Not Suitable For
- Non-Help to Buy properties (this valuation is specific to the scheme)
- Properties where the scheme has already been fully redeemed
Not sure whether you need a Help to Buy valuation? Speak to our team for free, no-obligation advice.
What Is Included in Our Help to Buy Valuation
Every Help to Buy valuation we produce includes the following as standard, meeting every requirement the scheme administrator needs.
RICS Red Book Compliant
Fully compliant with the RICS Valuation — Global Standards (the Red Book), which is the professional standard required by Homes England and all Help to Buy agents for equity loan repayments, remortgages and sales.
Prepared by an RICS Registered Valuer
Every valuation is personally prepared, inspected and signed by an RICS Registered Valuer — a chartered surveyor with the specific valuation expertise and professional indemnity insurance the scheme requires.
Current Market Value Assessment
A thorough assessment of the property's open market value as at the date of inspection, based on the property's condition, size, location and comparable market evidence.
Accepted by All Help to Buy Agents
Our reports are accepted by Homes England and all regional Help to Buy agents including Target, Metropolitan Thames Valley, Help to Buy Midlands, Help to Buy South and every other administering agent.
Includes Scheme-Required Information
The report includes all the specific information the Help to Buy scheme demands: the valuer's RICS registration details, property description, valuation methodology and a declaration of independence.
Internal and External Inspection
A full physical inspection of the property — inside and out — is required for a valid Help to Buy valuation. We cannot produce this report from a desktop-only assessment; an in-person visit is essential.
Comparable Sales Evidence
Detailed analysis of recent comparable property sales in the local area, supporting the valuation figure with robust, transparent market evidence that stands up to scrutiny.
Fast Turnaround
Report delivered within 5 to 7 working days of the inspection. An express turnaround service is available if you have a completion deadline — please ask when you enquire.
Why the Right Valuation Matters for Your Help to Buy Repayment
Getting the right valuation is critical when you are dealing with your Help to Buy equity loan. The valuation directly determines how much you pay back to Homes England, so accuracy and credibility matter enormously.
The Equity Loan Is Percentage-Based
Unlike a traditional loan with a fixed balance, your Help to Buy equity loan is a percentage of the property's current market value. If you bought with a 20% equity loan (or 40% in London), you repay 20% (or 40%) of whatever the property is worth today — not 20% of what you paid. If the value has risen, the amount you repay rises too. The valuation is the only way to fix that figure.
Homes England Sets the Rules
Homes England — and the regional Help to Buy agents it appoints — are strict about the type of valuation they will accept. It must be a RICS Red Book valuation prepared by an RICS Registered Valuer following an internal and external inspection. An estate agent's market appraisal, a desktop valuation, an automated online estimate or a mortgage valuation carried out for a lender will not be accepted.
The Report Must Be Current
Help to Buy valuations are typically valid for three months from the date of the report. If your transaction does not complete within that period — for example, if a remortgage is delayed or a sale chain takes longer than expected — you may need a fresh valuation. Starting with an accurate, professionally prepared report from a reputable firm reduces the risk of delays and additional costs.
A Credible Report Protects You Too
A properly prepared RICS Red Book valuation does not just satisfy the Help to Buy agent's requirements — it also protects you. The valuation is an independent, expert opinion. If there is a subsequent query or dispute about the property's value at the time of repayment, a professionally prepared report from an RICS Registered Valuer provides robust evidence that an informal appraisal simply cannot match.
How the Help to Buy Valuation Process Works
From your initial enquiry to receiving the report — straightforward, transparent and designed to fit around your timescales.
Get a Quote
Contact us with your property details and the reason for the valuation — repayment, remortgage, sale or staircasing. We respond within 24 hours with a fixed-price quote.
Book Inspection
We arrange a convenient date for the valuer to visit. We typically schedule the inspection within 5–10 working days of your instruction.
Valuer Inspects
An RICS Registered Valuer visits your property, inspects the interior and exterior, takes detailed notes and photographs, and researches comparable sales evidence.
Receive Report
Your RICS Red Book valuation report, meeting all Help to Buy scheme requirements, is delivered by email within 5–7 working days of the inspection — ready to send to your Help to Buy agent.
Help to Buy Valuation: What You Need to Know
Here are the key things every Help to Buy homeowner should understand before arranging a valuation.
Repaying the Equity Loan
You can repay part or all of your Help to Buy equity loan at any time. Each repayment — whether a full redemption or a partial staircasing payment — requires a current RICS Red Book valuation so the Help to Buy agent can calculate the amount due. Partial repayments must typically be at least 10% of the property's current market value. The valuation must be dated within the validity period specified by your Help to Buy agent, which is usually three months.
Remortgaging a Help to Buy Property
If you want to remortgage — either to get a better rate or because your fixed-rate period is ending — you must inform your Help to Buy agent and you may need a valuation. The scheme rules require the agent's consent for any remortgage, and they will usually ask for a RICS Red Book valuation to establish the property's current value before approving any changes to your mortgage arrangements. Do not commit to a new mortgage offer before checking with your Help to Buy agent exactly what they need.
Selling a Help to Buy Property
When you sell a Help to Buy property, the equity loan is repaid from the sale proceeds. The repayment amount is the same percentage of the sale price (or the market value, if the sale price is below market value). The Help to Buy agent will require a RICS Red Book valuation to verify the sale price reflects market value. Even if you have agreed a sale price with a buyer, the agent will not accept that figure alone — they need independent professional confirmation.
Staircasing — Buying Additional Shares
Staircasing means buying additional equity in your property, reducing the percentage owned by Homes England. Many Help to Buy homeowners staircase in stages, making partial repayments over time until they own 100% of the equity. Each staircasing transaction requires a new RICS Red Book valuation so the agent can calculate the cost of the share you are buying. The property's value may have changed since your last valuation, which is why a fresh one is always needed for each staircasing step.
Help to Buy Valuation Questions
Why does Help to Buy require a RICS valuation?
The Help to Buy equity loan is a percentage of the property's current market value, not the original purchase price. When you repay the loan, remortgage or sell, Homes England needs an independent, professionally prepared valuation to calculate the amount repayable. The valuation must be prepared by an RICS Registered Valuer — an estate agent's appraisal is not accepted by Help to Buy agents.
How long is a Help to Buy valuation valid?
Help to Buy valuations are typically valid for 3 months from the date of the report. If the transaction (repayment, remortgage or sale) does not complete within this period, you may need a new valuation. Check with your Help to Buy agent for their specific requirements, as these can vary.
What does the Help to Buy valuation need to include?
The valuation must: be on RICS Red Book letterhead, be prepared by an RICS Registered Valuer, state the current market value of the property, include details of the valuer's RICS registration, be dated within the required validity period, and include a description of the property and the methodology used. We are familiar with the Help to Buy requirements and ensure every report meets them.
How much does a Help to Buy valuation cost?
Our Help to Buy valuations start from £1200 ex VAT for a typical residential property. The exact price depends on the size, type and location of the property, and the complexity of the valuation. We provide a fixed-price quote within 24 hours of your enquiry — the price we quote is the price you pay. There are no hidden extras, no travel surcharges and no additional fees for any location within our seven counties: Bedfordshire, Buckinghamshire, Cambridgeshire, Hertfordshire, Northamptonshire, Greater London and Oxfordshire.
Can I use the mortgage lender's valuation instead?
No. A mortgage lender's valuation is prepared for the lender's purposes — to confirm the property is adequate security for the loan — and is directed to the lender, not to you or Homes England. It may not be a full RICS Red Book valuation and it does not meet the Help to Buy scheme requirements. You need a separate, independent RICS Red Book valuation addressed specifically to the Help to Buy agent. This is an additional cost that all Help to Buy homeowners must budget for when repaying, remortgaging or selling.
Do you cover my area for a Help to Buy valuation?
We provide Help to Buy valuations across all seven of our counties: Bedfordshire, Buckinghamshire, Cambridgeshire, Hertfordshire, Northamptonshire, Greater London and Oxfordshire. Every RICS Registered Valuer who works with us is locally based and knows the property market and comparable evidence in their area. We understand the specific requirements of each regional Help to Buy agent — whether you are with Target, Metropolitan Thames Valley, Help to Buy Midlands, Help to Buy South or another administering body — and we ensure your report meets their exact specifications.
Get a Fixed-Price Help to Buy Valuation Quote
Free, no-obligation quote within 24 hours. RICS Red Book compliant report, accepted by all Help to Buy agents.