Matrimonial & separation valuations
Divorce and separation property valuations
An independent RICS Red Book valuation of your property gives both sides — and the court — a fair, defensible figure to divide assets on. We are instructed by couples jointly, by one party, or by the court, and our opinion of value is the same whoever pays.
"We're dedicated to fairness and understanding during life's toughest moments — delivering impartial valuations that help separating couples move forward with dignity and peace of mind."
Our matrimonial valuations are carried out by RICS Registered Valuers who regularly act as single joint experts and give evidence in financial remedy proceedings across London and the South East.
Request a quoteWhat is a matrimonial property valuation?
It is an independent, professional opinion of the open Market Value of property owned by a separating couple, prepared so that the asset can be divided fairly. Because it determines how much one person keeps and the other gives up, it must be impartial — which is why it is carried out by a Chartered Surveyor and RICS Registered Valuer, in line with the RICS Valuation – Global Standards (the "Red Book").
We are assessing Market Value, not Worth — the price the property would realistically achieve on the open market, stripped of the sentiment or emotional attachment that either party may feel. The same approach applies whether you are married, in a civil partnership, or simply co-own property you now need to separate.
What if you weren't married?
These reports aren't only for divorcing spouses. We call them matrimonial valuations by convention, but in reality they can be prepared for any two — or more — people who jointly own property and now need to separate their interests fairly.
That includes unmarried couples and civil partners, and equally people who were never in a relationship at all: friends who bought a property together, business colleagues, or family members who co-own and want to go their separate ways. Whatever connects the parties, the job is the same — an independent, evidenced opinion of Market Value that neither side can later say was weighted against them. Our impartiality does not depend on how you are related.
Which report do you need?
Two types of report, one impartial valuation
How your report is used decides which version you need. The valuation opinion is identical; the difference is the level of detail and the formal duties that attach to a report prepared for the court.
Court-compliant report
Prepared to the standards required in financial remedy proceedings, with the valuer's overriding duty owed to the court.
- Usually a single joint expert instruction by both solicitors
- Includes the expert's declaration and statement of truth
- More detailed, as it is read by an officer of the court who has not seen the property
- Suitable evidence for Form E and the financial settlement
From £950 + VAT
Non-court-compliant report
A full Red Book Market Value for couples settling privately or through mediation, without court proceedings.
- Instructed directly by the couple or by one party
- Same impartial Market Value, presented more concisely
- Ideal for negotiation, mediation or collaborative law
- Lower cost than a court-compliant report
From £600 + VAT
Why an estate agent's appraisal can cost you
It is tempting to ask an estate agent for a free valuation. But what an agent provides is almost always a market appraisal — not a Red Book valuation — and it is given by someone hoping to win your instruction to sell. That incentive tends to push figures up, and an appraisal carries no independent professional duty behind it.
In a settlement, an inflated or unsupported figure can mean one party walks away with materially more than their fair share — and a court will give it little weight. An RICS Red Book valuation from an independent Registered Valuer is evidenced, defensible, and accepted by both solicitors and the court.
Why independence matters
If one person keeps the matrimonial home, the other is giving it up. A genuinely independent figure is what makes the division fair — and what stops a valuation becoming the next thing to argue about.
One figure, not two
A single joint expert avoids duelling valuations, reduces conflict, and keeps costs proportionate.
Owed to the court
In court-compliant work our overriding duty is to the court — not to whoever instructs or pays us.
Evidenced, not estimated
Our opinion is supported by comparable evidence, so it stands up to challenge from either side.
How it works
Instruction
You, your former partner, both solicitors jointly, or the court instruct us. We confirm scope, basis of value and the valuation date.
Inspection
An RICS Registered Valuer inspects the property and gathers comparable evidence relevant to the valuation date.
Report
You receive a clear, impartial Red Book report — court-compliant or non-court-compliant — ready to support your settlement.
Why Websters Surveyors?
- RICS Registered Valuers and Chartered Surveyors
- Experienced single joint experts
- Full RICS Red Book compliance
- Impartial — no sentiment, no pressure
- Court-compliant and private reports
- Covering London and the South East
Example reports — see the detail and format for yourself:
Matrimonial valuations: frequently asked questions
What is a divorce or matrimonial property valuation?
It is an independent RICS Red Book opinion of the open Market Value of property owned by a separating couple, used to divide assets fairly in a financial settlement. It is carried out by a Chartered Surveyor who is an RICS Registered Valuer, and it assesses Market Value rather than an asking price or what either party feels the property is worth.
Who can instruct the valuation — me, my former partner, or both of us?
Any of those. Most commonly both parties instruct us jointly as a single joint expert, often through your solicitors, and share the fee — this is the court's preferred, most proportionate route. We can also be appointed by one party alone, or directly by the court. Whoever instructs and pays us, our opinion of value does not change.
What is the difference between a court-compliant and a non-court-compliant report?
A court-compliant report is prepared to the standards required for court proceedings, with the valuer's overriding duty owed to the court and a formal expert's declaration; it is more detailed because it is read by someone who has not seen the property. A non-court-compliant report contains the same impartial Market Value, presented more concisely, for couples settling privately or in mediation. The non-court-compliant report costs less.
Why can't we just use an estate agent's valuation?
An estate agent almost always provides a market appraisal rather than a Red Book valuation, and they are incentivised to quote an attractive figure to win your instruction to sell. It carries no independent professional duty and a court will give it little weight. An RICS Red Book valuation is independent, evidenced and defensible — which protects both parties.
Is the valuation still independent if the other party is paying the whole fee?
Yes. The question understandably comes up most when one side is paying the entire fee rather than splitting it — but it makes no difference to our opinion. As RICS Registered Valuers we are required to value completely independently, and in court-compliant work our overriding duty is to the court rather than to whoever instructs or pays us. Whoever settles the bill, our valuation is the same.
What date is the property valued at?
Usually the current date, but financial proceedings sometimes call for a valuation at a past date — for example the date of separation. We provide retrospective valuations where needed; see our court reports and retrospective valuations page.
Do you only value the family home?
No. We value any residential property that needs to be divided, including second homes and investment properties, and we act for married couples, civil partners and unmarried co-owners alike.
Can you value property for people who weren't married?
Yes. Although we call these matrimonial valuations, they can be prepared for anyone dividing jointly owned property — unmarried couples, civil partners, friends, colleagues or family members. Our role is to remain impartial whatever the relationship between the parties.