When do I need a Help To Buy Valuation?
If you purchased your property using the government’s Help To Buy scheme then, when you come to sell, remortgage or want to repay your Help To Buy loan, you will need to obtain a valuation report in the correct format from a RICS Registered Valuer and Chartered Surveyor.
We are complaint with Homes England requirements. Not all surveyors can undertake these valuations, so it is important to select the right surveyor.
We have carried out valuations on most modern residential housing developments within Norfolk & Suffolk meaning we have extensive local market knowledge and experience which is essential in providing accurate valuations.
Once you have instructed us to undertake a Help To Buy valuation, we will need to come and physically inspect the property both internally and externally. The inspection usually takes up to 1 hour. Once we have completed our inspection we will undertake extensive research and aim to deliver your valuation report within 2 working days. This can be sent to Homes England.
FAQs
What is redeeming my Help to Buy loan?
Redeeming your loan means that you will be paying it off, either by selling your property and paying it back from the proceeds of that sale, or buying the percentage of the property you do not currently own. In this situation, a Help To Buy valuation is required so that the amount you have to repay can be calculated.
What do I need to do if I have a Help to Buy loan and want to sell my property?
When a property bought with a Help to Buy loan is put on the market you will need to provide the Help To Buy provider with an independent RICS valuation report before the sale can exchange contracts.
Can I use a mortgage valuation to give to my Help to Buy provider?
Unfortunately, you cannot use your mortgage valuation. Your Help to Buy loan provider will require you to arrange a completely independent RICS valuation report that is produced to a different specification than a standard Mortgage Valuation or Home Survey Report.
How long is a Help To Buy valuation valid for?
A Help To Buy valuation is valid for 3 months. This being the case, you should try to time the valuation so that the valuation date is no more than 3 months before the point that you expect to complete on your sale or complete your remortgage. In the event that the valuation expires this can be extended on a desktop basis for an additional fee.
What happens if my Help To Buy valuation expires?
If this happens then you can obtain a desktop valuation, but this must be completed and sent to Homes England within 2 weeks of the first valuation expiring. A desktop valuation is an update of the original valuation and will confirm whether or not the valuation has changed. If the valuation has changed then new evidence will be provided. The desktop valuation will be valid for a further 3 months.
Andrew carried out a house valuation for us and I honestly couldn't be happier with the service. They were very flexible on timing, turned it around way quicker than I had even hoped and it was a very personal service - really happy and will recommend to others! Thanks again
Andrew and Sandrine were very good at communicating and getting my survey done quickly. Comparables were fair and varied
Friendly and professional
A thorough and professional service.
Andrew surveyed my property yesterday morning. He was punctual, professional and friendly, with excellent communication skills. He was also informative, answering all of my questions, and I have already received the survey report this morning. I highly recommend Lockwood Chartered Surveyors.
Copyright Lockwood Surveyors Ltd 2026. Regulated by RICS | Lockwood Chartered Surveyors is the trading name for Lockwood Surveyors Ltd (Company No. 15564043) | Registered in England: Anglia House, 6 Central Avenue, Norwich, Norfolk, NR7 0HR.
Andrew at Lockwood was superb from start to finish. Firstly I got quoted absolutely mega bucks by a national surveyor company to perform a grade 3 survey who were based in Manchester so I rang Winkworth who I was purchasing a property from and they recommended Lockwood and also Gilson Bailey confirmed to me they were highly regarded as one of the best in and around Norwich. Within 5mins of ringing they sent me a quote which was over half the price I’d originally be quoted so obviously I took the plunge.
The survey was very in depth and super informative. Andrew sent a drone above the house to notice the roof basically needed a complete renovation removing all old tiles and replacing for new, fix chimneys, felt & lead flashing etc which I knew was going to cost thousands.
I got prices in from local roofing companies which were around the £20k mark. I then managed to renegotiate my purchase price with the seller and they agreed to take the full amount off. So Lockwood basically saved me £20k!!!