How to Get a RICS Help to Buy Valuation: Step-by-Step Guide

If you’re planning to repay your Help to Buy equity loan, remortgage, or sell your property, there’s one key thing you’ll need: a RICS Help to Buy valuation.

But what is it exactly? And how do you go about getting one that’s accepted by Homes England or your loan administrator?

In this guide, we’ll walk you through the entire process step by step, from choosing a qualified surveyor to what’s included in the valuation, and how to make sure your report is fully compliant and accepted the first time.

Why Do I Need a Help to Buy Valuation?

If you bought your home using the Help to Buy scheme, you likely borrowed up to 20% (or 40% in London) as an equity loan alongside your mortgage.

When you decide to:

• Sell your home
• Remortgage with a new lender
• Repay part or all of your equity loan (known as staircasing)

…you’ll need to pay back the same percentage of your home’s current market value. That means a proper valuation is essential.

But not just any valuation, it needs to meet strict requirements set by Homes England and be completed by a RICS-registered surveyor.

What Are the Requirements for a Help to Buy Valuation?

Homes England has specific rules to ensure the valuation is fair and independent. These include:

✅ The valuer must be registered with the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS)

✅ The inspection must be a physical site visit – desktop/online-only valuations are not accepted

✅ The report must include at least three comparable properties sold recently in the area

✅ The surveyor must be independent – not recommended by an estate agent or involved in the sale

✅ The report must be on headed paper, signed by the RICS surveyor, and addressed to the correct equity loan administrator (e.g. Target Services)

✅ The valuation is valid for 3 months

Step-by-Step: How to Get a RICS Help to Buy Valuation

Step 1: Check the expiry date of your equity loan

If you’re approaching the end of your 5-year interest-free period, or planning to sell/remortgage, now’s the time to start planning your repayment, and your valuation.

Step 2: Book a qualified RICS surveyor

Use a platform like Find My Surveyor to get an instant quote from a fully compliant RICS valuer in your area. We only work with surveyors who understand the Help to Buy rules and produce reports that are accepted without issue.

💡 Top tip: Not all surveyors specialise in Help to Buy. Choosing someone who knows the process avoids rejections or delays.

Step 3: Attend the inspection (or ensure access)

The surveyor will carry out a physical inspection of the property. It’s usually non-invasive and takes around 30–60 minutes, depending on the size and condition of the home. You’ll need to provide access or arrange for someone to be there.

Step 4: Receive your report

You’ll receive a formal written valuation report, typically within 2–5 working days. It should include comparable properties, the final valuation figure, and the required declarations. It will be addressed to Homes England or the administrator managing your equity loan.

Step 5: Send the report to Homes England

Once you have the report, you can submit it to Homes England via Target Services (or your relevant loan administrator). This triggers the formal process of repayment or staircasing.

Step 6: Keep an eye on the 3-month expiry window

If your sale or repayment doesn’t go through in time, you may need to request a desktop revaluation or commission a new full report. Always allow enough time, or ask your surveyor if a quick update is possible.

What Happens After the Valuation?

Once your valuation is accepted, you’ll receive a redemption figure (i.e. how much you owe) based on the percentage you originally borrowed, now applied to the current market value.

If you’re selling, this allows you to repay the loan from the proceeds. If you’re staircasing or remortgaging, it lets you plan how much to repay and when.

Can I Use a Mortgage Valuation or Estate Agent Estimate?

No. These are not accepted for Help to Buy purposes.

• Mortgage valuations are for the lender, not for you — and may not include sufficient market data
• Estate agent valuations are informal and not carried out by RICS-qualified professionals
• Online estimates (like Zoopla or Rightmove) are also not accepted

To avoid wasting time and money, make sure you get the right type of valuation from the start.

How Much Does a Help to Buy Valuation Cost?

Prices typically range from £250 to £500, depending on your location, property type and urgency.

At Find My Surveyor, we use a fixed-price system, so there are no surprises, and we only connect you with surveyors who specialise in Help to Buy cases.

Why Use Find My Surveyor?

We’ve simplified the process of booking a RICS Help to Buy valuation. Our OneQuote system matches you to a trusted, local surveyor at a fair price — without the hassle of shopping around or dealing with cold calls.

✅ RICS-accredited surveyors

✅ Fully Help to Buy compliant

✅ Fast turnaround available

✅ Transparent pricing – no hidden fees

✅ Nationwide coverage

If your 5-year Help to Buy term is coming to an end, or you’re thinking of staircasing or selling, we’re here to make sure your valuation is done right.