Divorce valuation of the family home, for one of you or both
A RICS valuation of a home in a divorce or separation, for one of you, for both of you jointly, or as Single Joint Expert for the court, so the figure the settlement rests on is independent.
Which divorce valuation do you need?
The difference is who instructs us and who the report is for. Tell us at the start, because it decides the duty the valuer owes.
For one of you
A figure for your own negotiation, or for your solicitor. The report is yours; the other side may want their own, or a joint one.
For both of you, jointly
One valuation you instruct and share, often for mediation or a negotiated settlement, so you are not arguing over two figures.
Single Joint Expert for the court
Where the case is in court, the judge may direct one expert for both of you. The valuer’s duty is then to the court, under the Family Procedure Rules.
A value at an earlier date
Sometimes the value when you separated, or when a property was bought, matters as well as today’s. The report can give a figure at that date.
What changes when the court is involved
A duty to the court
The valuer’s overriding duty is to help the court, above any duty to either of you or to whoever pays the fee.
Both of you see everything
Both of you, or your solicitors, agree the instructions, and both receive the same report at the same time.
Questions in writing
Either of you can put written questions to the valuer about the report, usually within 10 days of receiving it, and the answers become part of the evidence.
The report carries the statement of truth and declarations the Family Procedure Rules require. A valuation for one party is a different engagement, and we will not describe one as the other.
The value sets the shares, not just the price
In a settlement the home is usually divided by its equity: the value less the mortgage. A difference in the valuation moves both of your shares.
Illustrative figures, not a real instruction. How the equity is divided depends on your agreement or the court’s order; your solicitor or mediator will advise.
One set of evidence you can both check
When both of you rely on the same figure, it has to be built from evidence either of you can follow. Each sale is adjusted for how it differs from the home, and both of you receive the same report.
What is a divorce valuation?
A divorce or matrimonial valuation is a RICS valuation of a property owned by a couple who are separating, giving its market value for a financial settlement. It can be prepared for one of you, for both of you jointly, or by a Single Joint Expert whose duty is to the court under the Family Procedure Rules. It sets out the comparable evidence behind the figure, so either of you, a mediator or a judge can follow how it was reached.
- Who asks for one
- Either of you, both of you, your solicitors, a mediator, or the court.
- What you get
- A Red Book report with the comparable evidence set out; as Single Joint Expert, with the declarations the court requires.
- What it is not
- It is not a survey of the home’s condition, and it is not an estate agent’s marketing appraisal.
- Getting in
- We arrange access with whoever lives there. If one of you has moved out, we keep you both informed.
How much does a divorce valuation cost?
Your fixed price is confirmed in writing before you instruct us. Where you instruct us jointly, the fee is usually shared, as you agree between you.
What moves the price
- Who the report is for
- A Single Joint Expert report for the court carries joint instructions, declarations and written questions, so it costs more than a valuation for one of you.
- The size and value of the home
- A larger or unusual property takes longer to find comparable evidence for, which is where most of the work sits.
What the fee covers
- The inspection inside and out
- The comparable research behind the figure
- A Red Book report, with court declarations where needed
- VAT
From enquiry to report, without the chasing.
Tell us the property, and who it is for
The address, and whether the valuation is for one of you, both of you, or the court.
Get a fixed price in writing
A firm figure within the hour in office hours. Not an estimate, not a range.
Agree the instructions
For a joint or court instruction, both of you, or your solicitors, agree and sign the terms.
We arrange access
With whoever lives at the property.
The inspection
A local RICS Registered Valuer inspects inside and out and measures the home.
Your report, and answers
Where the instruction is joint, both of you receive the report at the same time.
Questions we get asked.
Do we need a RICS valuation for a divorce?
Not always. If you agree the value, an agreed figure or an estate agent’s appraisal may be enough. Where you disagree, or the case is in court, an independent RICS valuation, often from a Single Joint Expert, is the usual way to settle it.
What is a Single Joint Expert?
One expert instructed by both of you, often on the court’s direction, instead of each side paying for their own. The expert’s duty is to the court, and both of you receive the same report.
Can we share the cost?
Yes. Where you instruct us jointly, the fee is usually split between you, in whatever shares you agree or the court directs.
What if one of us disagrees with the figure?
The report sets out the sales it relies on. Where we act as Single Joint Expert, either of you can put written questions to the valuer, usually within 10 days, and the answers become part of the evidence. Outside court, send us any sales you think have been missed.
One of us still lives there. Does that matter?
No. We arrange access with whoever lives there, and the valuation is the same whoever is in the home.
Do I need a valuation for Form E?
Form E asks for your estimate of the property’s value, and you can attach a valuation if you have one. Your solicitor will advise whether to get one before the forms are exchanged.
Can you value the home at the date we separated?
Yes. A valuation at an earlier date is prepared from the sales evidence of that time. Tell us which dates are needed.
Divorce valuation near you.
Every area below is staffed by RICS surveyors who work there. If we cannot cover you properly, this site will say so rather than take the booking.
Other valuations and surveys
RICS Home Survey — Level 2
A conventional house or flat, built this century or last, in reasonable order
RICS Home Survey — Level 3
Older, larger, altered or extended, or anything already showing signs of movement or damp
RICS Residential Valuation
You need a figure rather than a condition report, for probate, Help to Buy or shared ownership
Separating?
A firm price in writing, an independent RICS Registered Valuer, and one figure you can both rely on.
Get your fixed quote →