Matrimonial Valuation
A RICS Red Book valuation prepared for matrimonial and divorce proceedings — providing an independent, impartial assessment of the matrimonial home's market value for financial settlement purposes.
Whether you are going through a divorce, dissolving a civil partnership, entering into a separation agreement or attending mediation — our RICS Registered Valuers provide the court-ready valuation evidence that family solicitors and judges rely upon. We can act as a Single Joint Expert where both parties agree, saving time, cost and dispute.
Matrimonial Valuation Report
Our Home Surveyor & Property Valuer Accreditation & Professional Membership
Our Matrimonial 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 Matrimonial Valuation?
A matrimonial valuation is a formal, RICS Red Book valuation of the family home — or any residential property forming part of the matrimonial assets — prepared specifically for the purpose of divorce, dissolution of a civil partnership, separation or financial remedy proceedings. It is produced by an independent RICS Registered Valuer and provides the court, both parties and their legal representatives with a professional, impartial and evidence-supported opinion of the property's market value. Unlike an estate agent's market appraisal (which is not independent and carries no weight in court), a matrimonial valuation is a regulated professional report prepared to the highest standards — designed to withstand scrutiny and minimise the scope for dispute between the parties.
What It Covers
- A full market value assessment of the matrimonial property
- Internal and external inspection by an RICS Registered Valuer
- Detailed comparable sales evidence supporting the valuation figure
- Property description, accommodation schedule and condition summary
- Local market commentary and analysis of property trends
- Professional opinion of market value signed by an RICS Registered Valuer
- RICS Red Book compliant report suitable for submission to the family court
- Single Joint Expert (SJE) report where both parties agree to joint instruction
What It Does Not Cover
- The contents, furniture or personal possessions within the property
- Legal advice on how the property should be divided or settled
- Advice on pension sharing, maintenance or other financial remedy matters
- A structural survey or building condition inspection
- A formal valuation of business assets, shareholdings or other non-property assets
Is a Matrimonial Valuation Right for You?
A matrimonial valuation is typically required when the value of the family home needs to be established for the purpose of reaching a financial settlement.
Suitable For
- Divorce and dissolution of civil partnership
- Financial remedy proceedings
- Separation agreements
- Mediation where both parties need an impartial valuation
Not Suitable For
- Informal discussions about 'what the house is worth' (though we can provide a market appraisal alongside)
Not sure whether a matrimonial valuation is the right service for your situation? Speak to a surveyor for free, confidential advice.
Acting as a Single Joint Expert
In many divorce cases, the court encourages both parties to instruct one independent valuer together — known as a Single Joint Expert (SJE).
Saves Cost
Both parties share the cost of a single valuation rather than each paying for a separate report — a significant saving at a time when costs are already high.
Reduces Dispute
A single, jointly instructed expert eliminates the "battle of the valuers" — where each side produces a different figure and the court is left to reconcile them.
Court Preferred
The Family Procedure Rules (Part 25) encourage the use of a Single Joint Expert wherever possible. A jointly instructed SJE report carries significant weight with the court.
How Single Joint Expert Instruction Works
- 1
Both parties agree to jointly instruct us as the SJE
The agreement is typically reached through solicitors or mediation. Both sides confirm they will accept the SJE's valuation as the basis for financial settlement discussions.
- 2
We receive joint instructions with agreed terms of reference
Both solicitors (or the parties directly if unrepresented) send us a joint letter of instruction setting out what needs to be valued, the relevant date, and any specific questions the court requires us to address.
- 3
We inspect the property independently
The RICS Registered Valuer visits the matrimonial home. Either or both parties may be present — we are experienced in conducting inspections sensitively and professionally.
- 4
We prepare a Part 35 compliant report
Our report is prepared in accordance with Part 35 of the Civil Procedure Rules and Part 25 of the Family Procedure Rules — it is addressed to the court and is binding on both parties.
What Makes Our Matrimonial Valuation Different
Every matrimonial valuation we produce is prepared with the independence, impartiality and professionalism that the family court expects.
RICS Red Book Compliant
Prepared in strict accordance with the RICS Valuation — Global Standards (the Red Book), the definitive professional standard for valuations accepted by family courts, HMRC and lenders.
Prepared by an RICS Registered Valuer
Your valuation is personally prepared and signed by an RICS Registered Valuer — a chartered surveyor with specific valuation expertise, professional indemnity insurance and a duty to the court.
Impartial and Independent
The valuation is prepared for the court, not for one party. We have no interest in the outcome and our duty is to provide an objective, evidence-based opinion of market value — regardless of which party it favours.
Single Joint Expert Experience
We are experienced in acting as Single Joint Experts (SJEs) and our reports are prepared in compliance with Part 25 of the Family Procedure Rules and Part 35 of the Civil Procedure Rules.
Sensitive and Confidential
We understand the emotional strain of matrimonial proceedings. Every inspection and report is handled with discretion, sensitivity and complete confidentiality. We work directly with your solicitor if you prefer.
Robust Comparable Evidence
Every valuation is supported by thorough research — we analyse comparable sales, market trends, planning constraints, local amenities and property-specific factors to produce a defensible, evidence-based figure.
All Residential Property Types
We value houses, flats, bungalows, maisonettes and apartments — freehold and leasehold — across all seven counties of our coverage area.
Fixed Pricing
We provide a fixed-price quote within 24 hours of your enquiry. The price we quote is the price you pay — no hidden extras, no VAT added to our fees. If both parties are sharing the cost, we can invoice each side separately on request.
How Our Matrimonial Valuation Works
From enquiry to report — a straightforward, professional and confidential process.
Get a Quote
Tell us about the property and whether you need a party-appointed valuation or a Single Joint Expert report. We respond within 24 hours with a fixed-price quote.
Book Inspection
We arrange a convenient time to inspect the property. We are sensitive to the circumstances — either party or both may be present, or we can collect keys from your solicitor.
Valuer Inspects
An RICS Registered Valuer visits the property, takes detailed notes and photographs, measures accommodation, and researches comparable sales evidence in the local market.
Receive Report
Your Red Book matrimonial valuation report is delivered by email within 5–7 working days — ready for submission to the court, your solicitor or the mediator.
What We Need From You
- The full address of the matrimonial property to be valued
- Confirmation of whether this is a joint (SJE) or party-appointed instruction
- The relevant valuation date (usually the date of the financial settlement hearing or the date of separation)
- Contact details for your solicitor (if represented) so we can take instructions directly
- Any specific questions the court or your solicitor requires us to address in the report
- Access arrangements for the property inspection
Matrimonial Valuations and the Family Court
Understanding how matrimonial valuations fit into the wider divorce and financial remedy process.
Form E and Financial Disclosure
During divorce proceedings, both parties are required to complete Form E — a comprehensive financial disclosure document. The matrimonial home is typically the most significant asset on Form E. While an informal market appraisal may be acceptable in the early stages, the court will expect a formal RICS Red Book valuation if the value is disputed or if a final hearing is required. Our valuation provides the professional, independent evidence that the court needs to make a fair financial order.
The Family Procedure Rules (Part 25)
Part 25 of the Family Procedure Rules governs the use of expert evidence in family proceedings. It requires that expert evidence be restricted to what is reasonably required to resolve the proceedings and that, where possible, a Single Joint Expert be instructed rather than each party instructing their own. Our matrimonial valuation reports are prepared in full compliance with Part 25 — the report is addressed to the court, sets out the valuer's qualifications and experience, confirms the valuer's understanding of their duty to the court, and provides the reasoned, evidence-based opinion that the court requires.
The Matrimonial Causes Act 1973
Under Section 25 of the Matrimonial Causes Act 1973, the court must consider all the circumstances of the case, with first consideration given to the welfare of any minor children. The value of the matrimonial assets — including the family home — is a central factor. The court needs a reliable, independent valuation to determine what a fair financial settlement looks like. Our reports are prepared with this statutory framework in mind, providing the clear, objective evidence the court requires.
Matrimonial Valuation Questions
Can you act as a Single Joint Expert in divorce proceedings?
Yes. In many divorce cases, both parties agree to instruct a Single Joint Expert (SJE) — one independent valuer who prepares a report that is binding on both sides. This saves both parties the cost of instructing separate valuers and provides the court with a single, impartial valuation. We are experienced in acting as SJEs and our reports are prepared in compliance with Part 25 of the Family Procedure Rules.
What if one party disagrees with the matrimonial valuation?
If both parties have agreed to a Single Joint Expert valuation, the court will generally accept the SJE's figure unless there are material grounds to challenge it. If one party disagrees, they can ask the court for permission to instruct their own valuer, but they would need to demonstrate why the SJE's valuation is unreliable. Our reports are prepared to rigorous standards specifically to minimise the scope for challenge. If the parties have separate valuations that differ, the court will weigh both reports against the evidence.
Does the valuation include the contents of the property?
No, a matrimonial valuation assesses the market value of the property (the bricks and mortar) only. It does not include furniture, furnishings, personal possessions or other contents. The division of contents is a separate matter typically agreed between the parties or addressed in the financial settlement.
Can I use an estate agent's valuation instead?
While an estate agent's market appraisal may be useful for initial discussions, it is not independent (an estate agent has a commercial interest in winning your instruction to sell), it is not prepared to any professional standard and it carries little to no weight in the family court. The court expects valuations prepared by an RICS Registered Valuer in accordance with the RICS Red Book. Using an informal appraisal risks the valuation being challenged by the other party, leading to delay, additional cost and further dispute.
How much does a matrimonial valuation cost?
The cost of a matrimonial valuation depends on the property type, size and location. We provide a fixed-price quote within 24 hours of your enquiry — the price we quote is the price you pay, with no hidden extras and no VAT added to our fees. If both parties are sharing the cost of a Single Joint Expert valuation, we can invoice each side separately on request. We cover all seven counties: Bedfordshire, Buckinghamshire, Cambridgeshire, Hertfordshire, Northamptonshire, Greater London and Oxfordshire.
How long does the report take?
We aim to inspect the property within 5–10 working days of receiving joint instructions (or your individual instruction). Once the inspection is complete, the valuation report is delivered by email within 5–7 working days. If you have a court deadline approaching, let us know and we will do our best to accommodate your timescale.
What if the property is owned in one party's name only?
Matrimonial valuations are required regardless of whose name is on the title deeds. Even if the property is registered in one party's sole name, it may still form part of the matrimonial assets for the purpose of the financial settlement. We value the property — the question of beneficial ownership and entitlement is a legal matter for the court to determine.
Can you value more than one property?
Yes. If the matrimonial assets include more than one property — for example, the family home plus a holiday home, a buy-to-let investment or an inherited property — we can value all of them. Each property will be inspected and reported on separately, and we can produce a consolidated report if the court or your solicitor prefers.
Get a Confidential Matrimonial Valuation Quote
Free, no-obligation quote within 24 hours. RICS Red Book compliant report prepared by an RICS Registered Valuer — accepted by family courts.