Shared Ownership Valuations

A shared ownership valuation is an independent RICS Red Book report of your home's full open-market value, used to set the price when you staircase, sell your share, or buy more equity — the figure your housing association requires and will accept.

"We make shared ownership simple—providing clear, trusted valuations to support staircasing, selling, or buying more equity, so you can move forward with confidence."

- Dan Knowles FRICS, Managing Director and RICS Registered Valuer

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The essentials

What is a shared ownership valuation?

A shared ownership valuation — often called a staircasing valuation — is a formal report of your property's open-market value, prepared by a Chartered Surveyor who is also an RICS Registered Valuer. Your housing association uses it to set the price of the share you are buying or selling.

The property is valued at 100% of its Market Value, and your share is then calculated as a percentage of that figure. The valuation is based on what your home is worth today, not what you originally paid for it. An estate agent's appraisal will not be accepted — your housing association, and the terms of your lease, require an independent RICS Registered Valuer.

When you need one

The valuations we most often prepare

Most shared ownership valuations are needed when you want to increase your share, own your home outright, or sell the share you already hold.

Most common

Staircasing up

Buying a further share of your home — for example moving from 25% to 50% — to reduce the rent you pay on the remainder.

Valued at current Market Value
Owning outright

Final staircasing to 100%

Buying the remaining share to own your home in full. Once at 100%, you are no longer in shared ownership and can usually sell on the open market.

Valued at current Market Value
Selling

Selling your share

Your housing association will normally require a current RICS valuation before you market and assign the share you hold to a new buyer.

Valued at current Market Value

Bought through a Help to Buy scheme rather than shared ownership? See our dedicated Help to Buy valuation page.

How it works

How is the value worked out?

Your home is valued at its full open-market value, with vacant possession, in accordance with the RICS Red Book and the terms of your lease. Your share is then calculated from that figure.

So if your home is valued at £400,000 and you are staircasing from 25% to 50%, the additional 25% share is priced from the current valuation — not from the value when you first bought. We assess the figure using comparable evidence and detailed local knowledge, and set out clearly how we reached it.

A common concern

Will I pay more because of improvements I've made?

In most cases, no. Where your lease requires it, the valuation disregards the value added by qualifying improvements you have carried out yourself — such as a new kitchen, bathroom or extension — so you are not charged for your own investment when you staircase.

We identify these improvements and reflect them correctly in line with your lease and your housing association's instructions. Because the treatment depends on the wording of your individual lease, it is worth telling us about any works you have done when you request a quote.

Good to know

The practical details

Who pays for it
The person staircasing or selling is responsible for the cost of the valuation.
How long it's valid
Reports are typically valid for around three months — the industry and housing association standard.
If it expires
We can often provide a desktop revaluation at a reduced fee where there has been no material change and the same surveyor is available.
What is valued
The whole property at 100% of Market Value, from which your share percentage is calculated.

See exactly what you will receive

A full sample shared ownership / housing association valuation report — the format, evidence and reasoning your provider expects.

Download example report (PDF)
Who we work with

Which housing associations do you work with?

We regularly prepare staircasing and resale valuations for residents of most major housing associations and registered providers across London and the South East. They include:

Peabody Notting Hill Genesis Metropolitan Thames Valley (MTVH) L&Q Clarion Southern Housing Sovereign Network Group (Network Homes) Hyde A2Dominion (SO Resi) Newlon Riverside Sage Homes Origin Housing Hightown Watford Community Housing Settle Paradigm B3Living Eastend Homes

If your provider isn't shown here, we almost certainly still cover it — just ask when you request a quote.

Standards

Are your reports Red Book compliant?

Yes. Every valuation is prepared in accordance with the RICS Valuation – Global Standards — the framework known as the "Red Book" — by an RICS Registered Valuer, and is accepted by housing associations.

It is the quality-assured standard for professional valuation, giving consistency, objectivity and transparency. You are looked after by an RICS-regulated firm whose Registered Valuers carry out shared ownership and staircasing valuations across London and the South East every week.

Cost & timing

How much does a shared ownership valuation cost?

Valuations start at £400 +VAT. The fee depends on the property, and is always confirmed in writing before you commit.

From £400 +VAT
Red Book Market Value report
~1 week
Typical turnaround once inspected
Fixed fee
Quoted in writing, with no surprises
Common questions

Shared ownership valuation FAQs

Will my housing association accept the valuation?
Yes. Every report is prepared in accordance with the RICS Red Book by an RICS Registered Valuer, which is what housing associations require for staircasing and resale.
Is this the same as an estate agent’s appraisal?
No. An agent’s appraisal is a marketing estimate. A shared ownership valuation is a formal Red Book report of Market Value, prepared by a Registered Valuer and accepted by your provider.
How long is the valuation valid?
Around three months, in line with the industry and housing association standard. If you are close to that point, a reduced-fee desktop revaluation may be possible.
Do I pay more for improvements I’ve made myself?
Usually not. Where your lease requires it, qualifying improvements you have carried out are disregarded, so you are not charged for your own investment when you staircase.
Which areas do you cover?
London and the surrounding counties, including Hertfordshire, Essex, Buckinghamshire, Surrey and parts of Berkshire.

Request a fixed-fee quote

Send us the property address and what you need the valuation for — staircasing, selling your share, or buying the remainder — and we'll respond with a clear written quote.

Request a quote or call 020 8017 1943

Last reviewed: June 2026