RICS RED BOOK

Compare RICS shared ownership valuers for staircasing or selling

Instant fixed quotes from local RICS Registered Valuers for a Red Book shared ownership valuation. Compare price, earliest availability and reviews, then book online.

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RICS is the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors. A shared ownership valuation must be carried out by an independent RICS Registered Valuer working to the RICS Valuation Global Standards (the "Red Book"), which is why housing associations and lenders accept it. It is not the same as an estate agent's free market appraisal.

London · SW18

RICS regulated

★★★★★ 4.9 · 120 reviews

Service: Shared ownership val.
Earliest visit: Tue 9 Jun
Fixed quote: £200 inc. VAT

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Shared Ownership Valuation (RICS)

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A shared ownership valuation is an independent RICS Red Book report that sets the open market value of your home — the figure your housing association uses to price the extra shares you buy when staircasing, or to set the asking price when you sell. It must be done by a RICS Registered Valuer, and it is typically valid for around three months.

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Your chosen provider liaises with the agent or vendor, attends, then sends your report.

Is this the right one?

Who a Shared ownership val. is for.

You're staircasing — buying a larger share (or 100%) of your shared ownership home and need the price of those shares set
You're selling your shared ownership property and your housing association requires a current RICS valuation before it goes to market
Your lender or housing association has specifically asked for a RICS Red Book valuation rather than an estate agent appraisal
Your previous shared ownership valuation has expired (they usually last around three months) and needs redoing before you complete
You want an independent open market value you can rely on, separate from the agent who would market the property

What you get

What your shared ownership valuation includes

Open market value

The valuer's opinion of what your home would sell for on the open market — the figure your housing association uses to price shares or set an asking price.

Inspection of your home

A visit to measure and assess the property, noting its size, layout, age, condition and any improvements you have made that affect value.

Comparable evidence

Recent sales of similar local properties used to support the valuation figure, as required under the RICS Red Book.

Red Book compliant report

A formal written valuation prepared to RICS Valuation Global Standards and signed by a RICS Registered Valuer, in the format associations and lenders accept.

Staircasing share price

Where you're staircasing, the report gives the value the association applies to the additional share you want to buy.

Validity period

A clear valuation date — most shared ownership valuations are accepted for around three months, after which a fresh or updated report may be needed.

Improvements treated correctly

Recognised home improvements you have funded can be reflected so you are not charged for value you added yourself.

Independent of the agent

An impartial figure from a valuer who isn't trying to win the instruction to market the property, unlike a free agent appraisal.

How much it costs

Shared ownership val. cost in 2026.

On Home.co.uk you book a fixed price between £295 and £695 inc VAT — the quote you see is the price you pay, with no "from £X" teasers and no add-ons at checkout.

£200–£450

UK average roughly £300

Price is driven mainly by the property's size and value, its location and how much travel and comparable research is involved. London and the South East typically run a little higher than the national average.

How long it takes

Appointment and turnaround.

On-site / inspection

~30-60 minutes on site

Report / certificate

~2-5 working days

Allow roughly 1 week from booking to a signed Red Book report; the valuation is then usually valid for around 3 months

Why compare here

Comparing that actually means comparing.

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Real fixed prices

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Live availability

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Genuine reviews

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Regulated & accountable

Every provider is RICS.

When you compare on Home.co.uk you're comparing like-for-like, accredited providers — not the cheapest unqualified option.

Common questions

Shared ownership val., answered.

What is a shared ownership valuation?

It's an independent RICS Red Book valuation that states the open market value of your shared ownership home. Your housing association uses this figure to price the additional shares you buy when staircasing, or to set the asking price when you sell. It must be carried out by a RICS Registered Valuer, which is why associations and lenders accept it rather than a free estate agent appraisal.

Why can't I just use an estate agent's free valuation instead?

Estate agent appraisals are marketing opinions given for free in the hope of winning your instruction, and shared ownership schemes don't accept them. Your lease and housing association require an independent RICS Red Book valuation from a RICS Registered Valuer, prepared to formal professional standards and backed by comparable evidence and indemnity insurance. That impartiality is the whole point.

Is a shared ownership valuation a survey of the property's condition?

No. A valuation is an opinion of market value, not an inspection of defects. It is not a RICS Level 2 or Level 3 survey and won't report on damp, structural movement or repairs in any detail. If you also want to understand the property's condition you would book a separate condition survey alongside it.

How long is a shared ownership valuation valid for?

Most housing associations accept a shared ownership valuation for around three months from the valuation date. If your staircasing or sale takes longer than that to progress, the association will usually ask for a fresh valuation or a short re-inspection to confirm the figure still holds before you complete.

What is staircasing and how does the valuation fit in?

Staircasing is buying a larger share of your shared ownership home, sometimes all the way to 100%. The price of the extra share is based on the current open market value, not what you originally paid. The RICS valuation supplies that current value, so the association can calculate exactly what the additional share costs you.

Do the quoted prices include VAT, and are they final?

Yes. The prices you compare on Home.co.uk are fixed and inclusive of VAT — the figure you see is the figure you pay, with no "from" teasers and no extra charges appearing at checkout. If a property is unusual and genuinely needs additional work, the valuer will discuss that with you separately before anything is agreed.

Who chooses the valuer — me or the housing association?

Usually you arrange and pay for the valuation, choosing any suitably qualified RICS Registered Valuer, and your housing association sets out their requirements. Comparing independent valuers on price, availability and reviews helps you instruct one quickly and keep the figure impartial, rather than waiting on a panel to call you back with an estimate.

Will improvements I've made to the home affect the valuation?

They can. Where you have funded recognised improvements yourself — for example a fitted kitchen or an extension — a RICS valuer can reflect this so that you are not charged for value you personally added when you staircase. Tell the valuer about any works you've carried out and keep evidence of what you spent.

How long does it take to get the report?

The inspection itself is usually short, around 30 to 60 minutes. The valuer then researches comparable sales and prepares the signed Red Book report, typically returned within about two to five working days. Allow roughly a week from booking to receiving the report, then around three months of validity to use it.

Does the valuation also work for selling my shared ownership home?

Yes. When you sell, your housing association normally requires a current RICS valuation to set the asking price before the property can be marketed, often giving them a period to find a buyer first. The same Red Book valuation serves that purpose, so you don't need a separate type of report for selling versus staircasing.

What's the difference between this and a mortgage valuation?

A mortgage valuation is carried out for a lender to confirm the property is worth roughly what they're lending, and it isn't designed to set your staircasing or sale price. A shared ownership valuation is an independent open market valuation prepared for you and your housing association to the RICS Red Book — a separate, purpose-specific report.

What does "RICS Registered Valuer" mean and why does it matter?

RICS is the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors. A Registered Valuer is a member assessed and monitored to carry out formal valuations under the RICS Red Book, with a code of conduct, complaints handling and professional indemnity insurance behind the report. Housing associations and lenders accept the figure because of that regulated, independent status.

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