We understand that sometimes you may require a property valuation at a difficult time.
Our probate valuations are professional, free and are completely no obligation. No pressure selling here.
Losing a loved one is never easy, and managing their estate can feel overwhelming at times. One of the important steps in this process is determining the value of any land or property that is part of the estate. As the Executor or Administrator, you will need to organise this valuation, and we’re here to help make this as straightforward as possible.
At Homes Partnership, we offer professional probate valuations across West Sussex, including Crawley, Horley, East Grinstead, and the surrounding areas. Our team is experienced in helping families through this process with care and understanding.
To ensure you receive a fair and accurate property valuation, we typically recommend obtaining three marketing valuations. These are followed up with a written confirmation, providing you with clear and detailed information. Additionally, we can offer guidance on the property’s marketability, including insights on how saleable it might be and the potential demand.
If you’d like to learn more about how we can support you with probate valuations, or if you have any questions about the process, please don’t hesitate to get in touch with us. You can reach us by phone at 01293 529999, and we’d be happy to discuss your specific needs.
If you’re uncertain whether the estate may be subject to inheritance tax or have any other questions, please feel free to contact us and we can help find you a tax specialist. We’re here to offer advice and help you navigate any uncertainties. If there’s something we don’t know, we will do our best to find the answer for you and keep you informed every step of the way.
The property can be marketed and a buyer sourced, a price agreed but ultimately the contacts cannot be exchanged and therefore, technically sold, prior to the probate having been granted. This is the most common route to sale chosen.
This will vary according to the complexity of the estate. A very brief guide will be 6 weeks for a simple estate whereas it could be more like 12-14 weeks where the estate exceeds the inheritance tax threshold.
This is completely understandable and generally we look to undertake all viewings for all our properties regardless. We never allow buyers to have a key and show themselves around and have many security procedures in place to ensure the keys are held securely.
We do advise you remove any valuable items should the property remain unoccupied, although we do not advise you clear the contents entirely. A property will generally feel more homely with furnishings in. De-cluttering any property is always advisable if possible, however we can advise in more detail after we have visited each home.
We will discuss and agree on what is best for you with each individual sale. We are more than happy to keep multiple people informed, although the executor(s) will be the primary point of contact.
A probate valuation is a formal written valuation of a property forming part of a deceased person’s estate. It establishes the property’s market value as at the date of death, which HMRC uses to calculate inheritance tax liability and which the executors use to fairly distribute the estate among beneficiaries. Probate valuations are typically required for any property within an estate going through probate, even if the property will subsequently be sold.
You’ll need a probate valuation in any estate where a property is owned by the deceased and the estate is being administered through probate. The valuation is needed before the executors can apply for the Grant of Probate. It’s typically commissioned shortly after the death certificate is received and before any sale or distribution decisions are made. HMRC requires the valuation to support the IHT400 inheritance tax return.
Our probate valuations are normally provided free of charge. Sometime you may be charged at a modest fixed fee (significantly less than a chartered surveyor’s full report), reflecting the additional work over a free market appraisal, where there is no chance the property will go on to be sold — written justification, RICS-aligned methodology, HMRC compliance, and full documentation. The exact fee depends on property size and location. Contact us on 01293 529999 to discuss your requirements and receive a quote.
From instruction to receipt of the written valuation report, the typical timeline is 5–10 working days. This includes a physical inspection of the property (45–60 minutes), comparable market analysis from our local database, and preparation of the formal report. We work sensitively around executors’ schedules and can usually accommodate urgent requests where probate timelines are pressing.
Yes. A standard market valuation gives a recommended sale price for the current market. A probate valuation establishes the property’s open market value as at a specific historical date — the date of death — supported by comparable sold-price evidence from around that date. It’s also a formal written report, RICS-aligned, suitable for HMRC and the courts. A free appraisal won’t satisfy these requirements.
Our probate valuations are carried out by qualified senior valuers with significant experience in probate work, including Managing Director Adam Charlton (MNAEA, MARLA, DipSP) and other senior team members with the relevant qualifications. We have prepared probate valuations for hundreds of West Sussex estates over the last 33 years and work regularly with local solicitors and probate practitioners.
No. Our probate valuation service is entirely separate from our sales service — there is no obligation to instruct us to sell. Many executors do choose to sell with us afterwards because they value continuity (we already know the property) and discretion (we handle probate sales with appropriate sensitivity), but the choice is entirely yours and we won’t pressure you either way.
Our expert valuations are free, no obligation and are completely tailored to your needs and wants. Whether you are looking to sell your home or just want a probate valuation at this time, we’d love to meet you for a chat about your needs.
Our industry memberships ensure that you and your money are protected at all times. We take compliance very seriously and will always act in the interests of our customers.
