By Andrew Lockwood, MRICS on the 30th of March 2026. If you are selling or repaying your Help to Buy equity loan, a RICS-certified valuation is required to determine the current market value of your home. This is often abbreviated to a 'RICS valuation'. In this article, we will cover what the Help To Buy scheme is, when and why the valuation is needed, how long is the valuation valid for, criteria set out by Homes England, exceptions and what happens during the inspection and following inspection. We will also discuss the importance of instructing an experienced RICS Chartered Surveyor who is registered on the RICS Valuer Registration Scheme. As the loan is a percentage of your property's value (not a fixed amount), this valuation ensures you repay the correct amount. What is the Help To Buy scheme? The Help to Buy scheme is a government program enabling first-time buyers to purchase new-build homes with a 5% deposit, using a government-backed equity loan of 20% (40% in London). This l