Homes England uses the current market value of a Help to Buy home to calculate the amount required when an equity loan is repaid. Its guidance sets specific requirements for the valuer, inspection, comparable evidence, report wording and submission. Following the current checklist reduces avoidable problems but cannot guarantee acceptance.
Check which Help to Buy scheme applies before instructing anyone because eligibility wording differs between scheme periods. Send the current Homes England guidance to the surveyor and confirm the valuation purpose and recipient in writing.
Choose an eligible independent valuer
Homes England requires an appropriately qualified RICS surveyor and sets scheme-specific membership criteria. The surveyor must be independent of the estate agent and must not be related or personally known to the owner.
The valuer should inspect the property and have suitable local knowledge. Disclose any previous connection so they can check for conflicts before accepting.
What the report needs to address
The report should identify the property, current market value and valuation date, with bespoke market commentary and comparable transactions explaining the conclusion. It must follow Homes England’s current formatting, signature, addressee and non-editable-document requirements.
The value is based on the property’s condition and current market under the required assumptions. It is not a detailed home survey or promise of a selling price.
Tell the valuer about special circumstances
Cladding, building-safety matters, restrictions, unusual leases and structural alterations may affect the instruction. Homes England can require a specialist valuation in certain cases. Approved alterations may also require particular treatment under scheme guidance.
Provide permission documents and describe all changes accurately. The surveyor should not discover important scheme information only after issuing the report.
Submission and validity
Homes England’s current guidance states how quickly the report should be sent and how long it remains valid. Transaction delays can require an extension letter, desktop update or new valuation, subject to timing and content rules.
The owner remains responsible for the repayment application and should follow the current official process. The valuer does not calculate the final repayment or provide mortgage, tax or legal advice.
Before the visit, check that the address, property description and applicant details match the equity-loan records. Give the valuer access to the whole home and disclose any part that cannot be inspected. Administrative consistency will not determine value, but avoidable discrepancies can delay review or require corrected documents.
- Identify the exact Help to Buy scheme
- Check surveyor eligibility and independence
- Provide alteration permissions and building information
- Arrange full access for inspection
- Submit the signed PDF within the official timescale
Advice for your property
Get the right professional inspection
Online guidance is useful, but it cannot account for the construction, condition and history of an individual property. Tell us what you are buying or need valued and we will explain the appropriate service.
Authoritative sources and further reading
The guide is general information, not property-specific, structural, legal, tax or financial advice. Source pages can change; consult the relevant professional for your circumstances.