If you’re planning to repay, redeem, or staircase your Help to Buy equity loan, one of the first steps you’ll need to take is arranging a RICS valuation for Help to Buy.
Many homeowners aren’t aware that Help to Buy repayments are based on the current market value of their home — not the price they originally paid. That’s why an independent valuation is required, and why it must meet strict criteria set by Homes England.
This guide explains how Help to Buy valuations work, what’s required, and how to avoid common delays.
When you repay all or part of your Help to Buy equity loan, the amount owed is calculated as a percentage of your home’s present-day value.
To ensure this value is fair and consistent, Homes England requires a valuation carried out by a RICS-registered surveyor who is independent and suitably qualified. Without this, your repayment application cannot progress.
Not all surveyors are eligible to complete Help to Buy valuations, which is where many applications run into difficulty.
To be accepted, the valuation must be completed by a surveyor who is:
RICS qualified and RICS registered
A Member or Fellow of RICS (MRICS or FRICS) for Help to Buy Equity Loans (2021–2023)
Not personally connected to the homeowner
Using an unsuitable surveyor is one of the most common reasons valuations are rejected — often resulting in additional cost and delays.
A compliant Help to Buy house valuation must include more than just a figure. Homes England expects clear evidence showing how that value has been reached.
This includes:
A full internal inspection of the property
At least three recent comparable sales (within the last 12 months)
Comparable homes that are similar in size, type and age
Evidence located within two miles of the property
Clear commentary explaining how the evidence supports the valuation
A signed, dated report on company headed paper
Submission as a non-editable PDF, addressed to Homes England
Valuations are valid for three months and must be submitted within five working days of inspection.
Some properties require additional expertise due to factors that may affect value or lender confidence.
This can include:
External or high-rise cladding
Non-standard or unusual construction
Breaches of planning permission
In these situations, using a surveyor with relevant experience is essential. Identifying this early can help prevent your valuation being rejected later in the process.
If your valuation expires before your repayment completes, timing becomes critical.
In some cases, it may be possible to:
Request a 1-month valuation extension, or
Arrange a 3-month desktop valuation update
Both options must be completed by the original surveyor and within strict timeframes. If these deadlines are missed, a completely new valuation will be required.
A Help to Buy valuation isn’t just a formality, it’s a key part of your repayment process. Ensuring the valuation is carried out correctly from the start can help you avoid delays, repeated fees, and unnecessary stress.
If you’re unsure what type of valuation you need, or whether your property requires specialist input, speaking to an experienced RICS surveyor early can make the process far smoother.
If you’re unsure what type of valuation you need or when to book, our experienced surveyors can guide you through the process and help you avoid delays.
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