RICS Valuation: Costs, Report Types & Registered Valuers
Chartered Surveyor and RICS Registered Valuer
Last reviewed: May 2026
Do you need an independent RICS valuation in London for tax, probate, matrimonial, Help to Buy, shared ownership, lease extension, insurance, accounting or legal purposes? Harding Chartered Surveyors provides RICS valuations carried out by qualified RICS Registered Valuers.
Our valuation reports are suitable for private clients, solicitors, accountants, executors, landlords, companies and property owners who need a formal written valuation rather than an estate agent’s market appraisal.
How a RICS Valuation Works
A RICS Registered Valuer inspects your property, analyses comparable market evidence and produces a formal written report — typically issued within 5–7 working days.
Cost of an RICS Property Valuation
How long is an RICS Valuation Report valid?
Residential property valuations are valid for a three-month period due to changing market conditions.
Example RICS Valuation Report
You can view an example report to understand the type of information included and how the valuation is presented.
Which RICS valuation do you need?
| Do you need a... | Then you need... | Find out more |
|---|---|---|
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valuation when buying or selling a home | Property valuation | Property valuation page |
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valuation for probate, inheritance tax or transfer of estate | Probate valuation | Probate valuation page |
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valuation for Capital Gains Tax | Capital Gains Tax valuation | Capital Gains Tax page |
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valuation for divorce, separation or court proceedings | Matrimonial valuation | Matrimonial valuation page |
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valuation for Help to Buy redemption | Help to Buy valuation | Help to Buy valuation page |
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valuation for a Right to Buy purchase | Right to Buy valuation | Right to Buy valuation page |
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valuation for shared ownership staircasing or sale | Shared ownership valuation | Shared ownership valuation page |
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valuation for rent review or lease negotiations | Rent review valuation | Rent review valuation page |
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insurance rebuild cost assessment | Reinstatement Cost Assessment | Reinstatement Cost Assessment page |
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valuation for extending your lease | Lease extension valuation | Lease extension valuation page |
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valuation for buying the freehold | Freehold valuation | Freehold valuation page |
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valuation for company accounts, asset valuation or commercial property | Commercial property valuation | Commercial property valuation page |
Request an RICS Valuation Quote
Valuations Carried out by RICS Registered Valuers
Formal written valuation reports prepared in accordance with recognised professional standards.
Click on valuation services for any residential-related valuation enquiry or commercial services for any commercial-related valuation enquiry.
Recent Reviews of Harding Chartered Surveyors
What is a Red Book valuation?
A Red Book valuation is a formal valuation prepared in accordance with the RICS Valuation – Global Standards, commonly known as the Red Book. These standards set out the professional requirements, ethics and valuation principles that RICS members must follow when preparing formal valuation reports.
Why can’t my estate agent carry out a valuation survey?
When buying or selling a property, your estate agent may offer to provide you with a market valuation. Although they are professionals and should act accordingly, they will have their business interests at heart and may not be impartial. Generally speaking, they’ll be most focused on making a sale, earning a commission or earning you as a client so they will be biased.
On the other hand, a Chartered Valuer is guided by strict rules, regulations and best practices that ensure they remain impartial and provide you with a professional, trustworthy service.
| Estate agent appraisal | RICS valuation |
|---|---|
| Usually marketing-led | Independent professional valuation |
| Often used to suggest an asking price | Used for formal, legal, tax or accounting purposes |
| May not be impartial | Prepared by a qualified RICS Registered Valuer |
| Usually less detailed | Supported by methodology and comparable evidence |
Why do you need an RICS Registered Valuer?
An RICS valuation provides an independent professional opinion of value for your property or land. A RICS Registered Valuer follows recognised professional standards, considers relevant market evidence and applies the appropriate valuation methodology for the property and purpose of the report.
This gives you a written valuation that can be relied on for formal purposes such as tax, probate, matrimonial matters, shared ownership, Help to Buy, lease extension, freehold purchase, accounting or legal proceedings.
Why Choose Harding Chartered Surveyors for Your RICS Valuation?
At Harding Chartered Surveyors, we provide independent RICS valuations for private clients, solicitors, accountants, executors, landlords, companies and property owners across London and the South East. Our valuers follow recognised RICS valuation standards and provide clear, practical reports for tax, probate, matrimonial, Help to Buy, shared ownership, lease extension, freehold, commercial and legal purposes.
Whether you need a desktop valuation, a formal written report or a more detailed inspection-led valuation, we aim to make the process straightforward. Our reports are prepared within the agreed timeframe, supported by relevant market evidence and written in clear language so you can make informed decisions with confidence.
The Benefits of an RICS Registered Valuer
| Benefit | Why it matters |
|---|---|
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Accurate market valuation | An RICS valuation provides an independent assessment of your property’s market value. The valuer considers factors such as location, size, condition, property type, comparable evidence and current market conditions. |
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Compliance with RICS valuation standards | A RICS Registered Valuer must follow recognised professional standards when preparing a formal valuation report. This helps ensure the valuation is properly evidenced, professionally prepared and suitable for its intended purpose. |
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Suitable for legal and tax purposes | RICS valuations are commonly required for probate, matrimonial matters, lease extension, freehold purchase, Capital Gains Tax, inheritance tax and other formal legal or tax-related purposes. |
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Independent professional opinion | Unlike an estate agent’s market appraisal, an RICS valuation is prepared by an independent professional whose role is to provide an objective opinion of value, not to market or sell the property. |
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Buying or selling property | A formal valuation can help you understand a property’s market value before buying, selling, transferring ownership or making financial decisions. |
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Help to Buy and Right to Buy valuations | If you are repaying a Help to Buy loan or purchasing under the Right to Buy scheme, a formal valuation may be required to establish the property’s current market value. |
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Shared ownership valuations | If you own a share in a shared ownership property, an RICS valuation may be needed when staircasing, selling your share or buying the remaining equity. |
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Residential and commercial valuation expertise | RICS valuations can be prepared for houses, flats, offices, retail units, warehouses and other residential or commercial properties, depending on the purpose of the report. |
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Clear supporting evidence | A formal valuation report is supported by relevant market evidence and valuation methodology, helping you understand how the figure has been reached. |
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Confidence when making decisions | A valuation prepared by a qualified RICS Registered Valuer gives you a clearer basis for making informed decisions about property, tax, legal matters, ownership or finance. |
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