If you purchased your home using the government's Help to Buy Equity Loan scheme and you are now looking to remortgage, staircase your loan or sell up, you will need an RICS Help to Buy valuation before you can proceed. This is a legal requirement under the scheme — not something your mortgage broker or estate agent can bypass. In this guide, we explain everything you need to know about the process in 2025, including costs, timescales and what to do if your valuation comes in lower than expected.
What Was the Help to Buy Equity Loan Scheme?
The Help to Buy Equity Loan scheme was a government initiative that ran from 2013 to 2023. Under the scheme, the government lent buyers up to 20% of the purchase price of a new-build property (40% in London), interest-free for the first five years. Buyers needed a 5% deposit and a repayment mortgage for the remaining amount.
After the first five years, interest charges began to accrue on the equity loan. The loan must be repaid either when you sell the property, at the end of your mortgage term, or when you choose to repay it early (known as "staircasing"). In all cases, the repayment amount is calculated as a percentage of the property's current market value — not the original purchase price. This is why an RICS valuation is essential.
When Do You Need a Help to Buy Valuation?
You will need an RICS Help to Buy valuation in any of the following situations:
- Partial staircasing: You want to pay off part of the equity loan (e.g., repay the full 20% or a portion of it) while keeping the property
- Full redemption: You want to pay off the entire equity loan in full — for example, when remortgaging to a deal that doesn't allow the Help to Buy loan to remain
- Selling the property: When you sell a Help to Buy property, the equity loan is automatically redeemed from the sale proceeds at current market value
In all cases, the valuation must be carried out by a RICS Registered Valuer and submitted on the Homes England (formerly Help to Buy) Agent's required form. Only RICS Registered Valuers are accepted — online tools, estate agents' opinions and mortgage lenders' valuations are not accepted.
Valuation Validity Period
A Help to Buy valuation is typically valid for three calendar months from the date of inspection. You must submit the valuation to your Help to Buy Agent within this window. If the valuation expires before the transaction completes, you will need a new one.
How Is the Equity Loan Repayment Calculated?
The repayment amount is calculated as the same percentage of the property's current market value as the original loan. For example:
- You originally bought your property for £250,000 with a 20% Help to Buy equity loan = £50,000
- Your property is now valued at £320,000
- The repayment is 20% of £320,000 = £64,000
This means if your property has increased significantly in value since you bought it, your equity loan repayment will be higher than the original loan amount. Conversely, if values have fallen, the repayment will be less. This is why the accuracy and independence of the RICS valuation is so important — it directly determines how much you repay.
The Help to Buy Valuation Process: Step by Step
Contact a RICS Registered Valuer
Engage a RICS Registered Valuer in your area. Confirm they are experienced in Help to Buy valuations and familiar with the Homes England submission requirements. At Crowborough Surveyor, we carry out Help to Buy valuations regularly across East Sussex and Kent.
Book the Inspection
The valuer will visit your property to carry out the inspection. This typically takes 30–60 minutes and is non-intrusive — the valuer assesses condition, size, specification and reviews comparable sales evidence.
Receive the Valuation Report
The written valuation report is produced, usually within 3–5 working days. It is prepared on the correct Homes England-compliant form and signed off by the RICS Registered Valuer.
Submit to Your Help to Buy Agent
You (or your solicitor or mortgage broker) submit the valuation to your regional Help to Buy Agent (administered by Homes England). They will confirm the repayment figure based on the valuation.
Complete the Redemption or Sale
Once the valuation is accepted, your solicitor will arrange the redemption payment or include it in the conveyancing process if you are selling.
How Much Does a Help to Buy Valuation Cost?
Help to Buy valuations are typically one of the most straightforward and cost-effective RICS valuation products. At Crowborough Surveyor, fees are transparent and fixed — no hidden extras. As a general guide, fees start from around £200–£280 for a standard residential property in East Sussex and Kent, rising slightly for larger or more complex properties.
This is a small cost relative to the financial significance of the transaction — particularly given that an accurate valuation directly determines your equity loan repayment amount. A robust, well-evidenced valuation report is worth far more than a cut-price one that might not withstand scrutiny.
What If My Help to Buy Valuation Comes In Lower Than Expected?
If your RICS valuation is lower than you expected, you have a right to challenge it. You can request a second opinion from another RICS Registered Valuer at your own cost, and if the new valuation is different, the Help to Buy Agent will use the average of the two figures (or in some cases the higher one, depending on the scheme rules at the time).
If your valuation comes in higher than expected — which is less commonly a concern — this simply means your equity loan repayment will be higher than anticipated. Planning ahead for this is wise, particularly if property values in your area have risen significantly since you purchased.
Why Use an Independent Valuer Rather Than Your Lender's?
When remortgaging, your lender will carry out their own mortgage valuation. This is done for the lender's benefit — to check the property is adequate security for the loan. It is not the same as an RICS Help to Buy valuation and will not be accepted by the Help to Buy Agent.
You must commission an independent RICS Help to Buy valuation separately. However, if you are remortgaging at the same time as repaying the equity loan, you may be able to use the same valuation date for both, saving time. Your mortgage broker can advise on timing.
"We needed a Help to Buy valuation quickly to meet our solicitor's deadline. Crowborough Surveyor booked us in within two days of my call, and we had the completed report in four days. Straightforward, efficient and exactly what we needed."
— Natalie F., Uckfield
The Scheme Has Closed — But Valuations Are Still Needed
The Help to Buy Equity Loan scheme closed to new applications in March 2023. However, hundreds of thousands of homeowners who purchased under the scheme still have outstanding equity loans. These will continue to require RICS valuations for redemptions, staircasing and sales for many years to come.
If you purchased under Help to Buy between 2013 and 2023 and have not yet repaid your loan, you will need a Help to Buy valuation at some point. The earlier you plan, the more options you have — particularly if you want to take advantage of current market values before further changes.
Fast Help to Buy Valuations Across East Sussex & Kent
Our RICS Registered Valuers carry out Help to Buy valuations across Crowborough, Tunbridge Wells, Uckfield, Heathfield, East Grinstead, Sevenoaks and surrounding areas. Fixed fees, fast turnaround, fully compliant Homes England reports.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use any RICS surveyor for a Help to Buy valuation?
The valuer must be a RICS Registered Valuer — not all RICS members hold this specific designation. Always check before instructing. At Crowborough Surveyor, all our valuers are RICS Registered Valuers.
My Help to Buy valuation has expired. What do I do?
You will need a new valuation. If the original valuation expired due to a delay in the transaction, contact us as soon as possible — a new inspection can usually be arranged quickly, and in rising markets, a fresh valuation may actually result in a higher figure.
Do I need a Help to Buy valuation if I am selling through an estate agent?
Yes. Even when selling through an estate agent, you must obtain an RICS Help to Buy valuation before the loan can be redeemed. The estate agent's opinion of value is not accepted. Your solicitor will handle the submission to the Help to Buy Agent once you have the report.
How long does the whole process take?
From booking your inspection to receiving the completed valuation report typically takes 5–7 working days with us. If you have a deadline (such as a remortgage offer expiry), let us know and we will prioritise your instruction.
What happens if I can't afford to repay the equity loan?
If you cannot afford the repayment, you should speak to your Help to Buy Agent and a financial adviser as soon as possible. There may be options available, including staying in the scheme until the next remortgage opportunity. This is a financial question beyond the scope of our valuation service, but we can provide the accurate valuation you need to have an informed conversation with your lender and adviser.
Ready to Get Your Help to Buy Valuation?
Whether you are remortgaging, staircasing or selling your Help to Buy property in East Sussex or Kent, our team is ready to help. We offer fast, competitively priced Help to Buy valuations carried out by RICS Registered Valuers, fully compliant with Homes England requirements.