Retrospective Property Valuation

Yes. We regularly prepare retrospective valuations for dates in the past — from a few months to 20 or more years ago. The valuer researches historic comparable sales evidence, Land Registry data and market conditions at the specified date to arrive at a professional opinion of the property's market value at that time. The further back the valuation date, the more challenging the research, but our valuers are experienced in this work.

The most common reason for a retrospective valuation is capital gains tax. If you acquired a property years ago or it was your main residence for part of the ownership period, HMRC needs the market value at specific past dates to calculate the taxable gain. Other common reasons include: a date of death where probate was not applied for immediately, a historic transfer between connected parties, or a divorce settlement where the relevant valuation date is in the past.

We can prepare retrospective valuations for most dates going back 20 to 30 years, provided sufficient historic evidence is available. The main constraint is the availability of comparable sales data. Land Registry sold price records are comprehensive from the mid-1990s onwards, and for earlier periods we draw on additional sources including auction results, estate agent archives and published market indices. If the valuation date is particularly distant — for example, pre-1990 — we will advise you at the quotation stage on what is realistically achievable and whether any assumptions or caveats will apply.

Yes. HMRC accepts RICS Red Book valuations for tax purposes, including retrospective valuations. The Red Book is the valuation standard recognised by HMRC, HM Courts & Tribunals Service and the legal profession. Our retrospective valuations are prepared in full compliance with the Red Book, which means they meet the required standard of independence, objectivity and transparency. We include all the supporting evidence, comparable analysis and methodology that HMRC expects to see. If HMRC raises a query on the valuation, we will support you with additional information and, if necessary, respond directly to HMRC's enquiries.

To prepare a retrospective valuation, we need: the full property address, the specific past date for the valuation, and the purpose of the valuation (e.g. capital gains tax, probate, divorce). It is also helpful to know about any significant changes to the property since the valuation date — for example, extensions, loft conversions, renovations or changes to the surrounding area. The valuer will inspect the property as it is today but will assess its value as it stood on the historic date, disregarding any improvements made after that date. If the property has changed significantly, please let us know at the quotation stage so we can factor this into the instruction.

We provide retrospective valuations across all seven of our counties: Bedfordshire, Buckinghamshire, Cambridgeshire, Hertfordshire, Northamptonshire, Greater London and Oxfordshire. Every valuer who works with us is based locally and knows the property market, price trends and comparable evidence in their area. There are no travel surcharges for any location within our coverage area.