A probate valuation establishes the market value of a property as at the date of death. It is often required by executors, administrators, solicitors and accountants when dealing with an estate and calculating any inheritance tax liability.

We appreciate that probate matters often arise at a difficult time. Our role is to make the valuation process as clear and straightforward as possible, while providing a professional report that is suitable for estate administration and, where required, submission to HMRC.

We inspect the property, assess its condition and marketability, review relevant comparable evidence and provide a clear written valuation report. Where the valuation date is historic, we can also provide retrospective valuation advice based on market conditions at the relevant date.

A professional probate valuation can be especially important where a property is unusual, high-value, in poor condition, leasehold, let, jointly owned or has development potential.

Common reasons for a probate valuation include:

Inheritance tax reporting, estate administration, date of death valuation, executor duties, HMRC submissions, property transfers to beneficiaries and future Capital Gains Tax planning.

Capital Gains Tax Valuations

A Capital Gains Tax valuation may be needed when selling, gifting, transferring or disposing of a property that has increased in value. It is commonly required for second homes, buy-to-let properties, inherited properties, development land, mixed-use assets and transfers between connected parties.

The purpose of a CGT valuation is to provide an independent market value at the relevant tax date. This may be the date the property was acquired, inherited, transferred, sold, first let or another date required by your accountant or tax adviser.

Our RICS CGT valuations are prepared using relevant market evidence and a clear understanding of the purpose of the report. Where needed, we can provide retrospective valuations by reviewing historic market conditions and comparable evidence from the relevant period.

A professionally prepared valuation can help support your tax position, reduce uncertainty and give your accountant a clear valuation figure to work from.

Common reasons for a CGT valuation include:

Sale of a second home, disposal of a buy-to-let property, inherited property sale, transfer between connected parties, company asset valuation, change of use, divorce settlement, gifting property and retrospective tax reporting.

If you own a shared ownership property and want to buy a further share, your housing association or shared ownership provider will usually require an independent RICS staircasing valuation.

The valuation confirms the current market value of the property so that the cost of the additional share can be calculated fairly. This applies whether you are buying a small additional percentage or staircasing to full ownership.

Our staircasing valuation reports are prepared by RICS Registered Valuers and are suitable for submission to housing associations, solicitors and shared ownership providers. We inspect the property, review local market evidence and provide a clear market value figure for the staircasing process.

We know that shared ownership transactions can be time-sensitive, so we aim to keep the process simple, clear and efficient from instruction to report.

Common reasons for a staircasing valuation include:

Buying a larger share, staircasing to 100 percent ownership, housing association requirements, shared ownership resale, leaseholder advice and solicitor-led staircasing transactions.

If you are selling, remortgaging or repaying your Help to Buy equity loan, you will usually need a formal RICS valuation. The valuation is used to confirm the current market value of the property and calculate the amount repayable under the equity loan.

Our Help to Buy valuation reports are prepared by RICS Registered Valuers and are suitable for submission to the relevant administrator, lender or solicitor. We inspect the property, consider its condition, review current local market evidence and provide a clear valuation report for the repayment or sale process.

Whether you are redeeming the loan in full, making a partial repayment, selling the property or remortgaging, a properly prepared RICS valuation helps ensure the calculation is based on reliable evidence.

We make the process straightforward and provide the report in a format that supports the next stage of your Help to Buy transaction.

Common reasons for a Help to Buy valuation include:

Full equity loan repayment, partial redemption, remortgage, sale of the property, Target or Homes England requirements, solicitor reporting and equity loan calculation.

A reinstatement cost assessment estimates the likely cost of rebuilding a property if it were seriously damaged or destroyed. It is commonly required for buildings insurance, leasehold blocks, managed properties, commercial premises, residential buildings and specialist property assets.

A reinstatement cost assessment is not the same as a market valuation. Market value reflects what a property may sell for. Reinstatement cost considers the estimated cost of demolition, site clearance, rebuilding, professional fees and other allowances required to reinstate the building.

Having the right figure matters. If a property is underinsured, a claim may be reduced. If it is overinsured, you may be paying more than necessary for insurance. A professional assessment helps you understand whether the declared sum insured is appropriate.

Our assessments consider the building’s size, construction, age, specification, layout, location and relevant cost data. The result is a practical rebuild cost assessment that can support insurance renewal, property management and risk planning.

Common reasons for a reinstatement cost assessment include:

Buildings insurance, insurance renewal, leasehold block management, freeholder obligations, commercial property insurance, residential property insurance, underinsurance risk reviews and portfolio management.

Property is often one of the most significant assets in divorce, separation and matrimonial finance proceedings. Where the value of a home, investment property, business premises, land or development asset is in question, an independent Expert Witness valuation can provide clarity.

We provide Expert Witness valuation reports for matrimonial litigation, including single party instructions and Single Joint Expert appointments where appropriate. Reports can be prepared in accordance with the relevant RICS valuation standards and, where required, the Family Procedure Rules and Civil Procedure Rules.

An expert witness valuation must be independent, balanced and properly reasoned. The valuer’s duty is to assist the court by providing objective expert opinion, not to argue the case for either party.

Our reports are clear, structured and evidence-based, helping solicitors, barristers, mediators and the court understand the valuation position. We can assist with residential property, investment property, mixed-use assets, development potential and other property interests where a professional valuation opinion is required.

Common reasons for an expert witness valuation include:

Divorce proceedings, matrimonial finance, Single Joint Expert appointments, CPR Part 35 reports, FPR compliant valuation evidence, family law disputes, property settlement negotiations and court-directed valuations.

Charity trustees have important responsibilities when selling, leasing or otherwise disposing of charity land or property. In many cases, trustees must obtain appropriate written advice before proceeding with the transaction.

A Charities Act valuation or Designated Adviser Report helps trustees show that they have taken proper advice, considered the value of the property, reviewed how the property should be marketed and assessed whether the proposed terms are the best reasonably obtainable for the charity.

We provide independent valuation and property advice for charities, trustees, solicitors and professional advisers. Our reports are practical, commercially focused and prepared with an understanding of trustee duties and the need for clear, well-reasoned recommendations.

Whether the charity is selling a freehold property, granting a lease, disposing of part of a site or reviewing its property options, we can provide advice to support compliance and informed decision-making.

Common reasons for a Charities Act valuation include:

Charity land disposal, sale of charity property, grant of a lease, trustee reporting, Designated Adviser Reports, section 119 advice, best terms advice, marketing recommendations and solicitor-led charity transactions.