What is a Help to Buy valuation, and why do you need one?
If you bought your home using the government’s Help to Buy: Equity Loan scheme, the government (via a body originally called the HCA, now Homes England, with Target acting as the day-to-day loan administrator) lent you a percentage of the purchase price — typically 20% outside London, 40% within it — on top of your own deposit and mortgage.
That loan isn’t a fixed amount of money you owe — it’s a percentage share of your home’s value. This is the single most important thing to understand: if your home has gone up in value since you bought it, the amount you owe goes up too, because you’re always repaying the same percentage, just calculated against whatever the home is worth now. This is why you can’t simply repay based on your original purchase price — you need an up-to-date, independently verified valuation to work out the correct figure.
That valuation can’t be done by just anyone. Homes England requires it to be carried out by a RICS-qualified surveyor (specifically MRICS or FRICS accredited), following a specific set of rules, and it’s only valid for three months from the date of inspection — if your repayment, remortgage, or sale takes longer than that to complete, you’ll need a fresh valuation.
What makes a valuation actually compliant
Addressed to the right people
Our surveyors sit on the approved panel for Target HCA. This ensures they accept your report without delay. Whether you are selling or staircasing, we can help. Furthermore, our status as approved surveyors speeds up the redemption process.
All Help to Buy Situations Covered
We handle Help to Buy valuations for all common scenarios. This includes full loan settlements and voluntary part payments. We also assist with remortgaging to a new deal. If you are unsure, we can advise you during a free consultation.
Prompt Turnaround
Help to Buy valuations are often time-sensitive. Usually, they are linked to sale completions or mortgage deadlines. For this reason, we arrange inspections quickly. We deliver your report promptly to help you meet your deadlines without stress.
Report That Meets All Criteria
We prepare your report specifically to meet Target HCA requirements. It includes a formal RICS opinion of market value. We also support this with evidence from comparable local sales. Finally, a qualified, approved surveyor signs every document.
How we work
Enquiry & Booking
Contact us with your property address and the reason for your Help to Buy valuation. We will confirm our Target HCA approval, agree a fee and book your inspection at a time that works for you.
Inspection & Valuation
Your RICS surveyor visits the property, inspects its condition and location, and researches recent comparable sales in your area to establish a well-evidenced market value.
Report Submitted
You receive your completed valuation report, formatted to meet Target HCA’s requirements and ready to submit directly. We are on hand to answer any follow-up questions from Target HCA or your solicitor.
HELP TO BUY VALUATION FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Why do I need a valuation just to repay my equity loan?
Because your equity loan is a percentage share of your home’s current value, not a fixed amount — if your property has gone up in value, the amount you owe goes up too. An independent valuation is the only way to establish that current figure accurately.
Can I use an estate agent's valuation instead of a RICS valuation?
No. Homes England specifically requires an independent RICS valuation carried out by a qualified surveyor with no connection to your agent, buyer, or lender — an estate agent’s appraisal doesn’t meet this requirement.
How long is a Help to Buy valuation valid for?
Three months from the date of inspection. If your repayment, remortgage, or sale takes longer than that to complete, you’ll need a new valuation.
What's the difference between repaying and staircasing?
Repaying clears some or all of your existing equity loan at its current value. Staircasing means buying an additional share of your home from Homes England — for example, moving from owning 80% to 100% — which is a separate transaction using the same type of valuation.
Why was my Help to Buy valuation rejected by Target or Homes England?
The most common reasons are an incorrect number of comparable properties included, the report not being addressed correctly to the administrator, or the valuation being based on a desktop or drive-by assessment rather than a genuine physical inspection — all of which we build our reports around avoiding.
Can I get a Help to Buy valuation done before I've decided whether to sell or remortgage?
Yes — plenty of homeowners get a valuation done simply to understand their current position before deciding which option (sell, remortgage, staircase, or wait) makes the most sense for them.