Read the original guidance here:
HMRC SDLT: SDLTM80360 – Compliance: Liaison

Valuation Office: General Information

When a valuation is needed during an investigation, the compliance caseworker is in charge of the enquiry, while the valuer follows the caseworker’s guidance.

When Might a Valuation Be Needed?

A valuation could be necessary in several situations, including:

• If a transaction isn’t conducted at arms-length, and there are concerns that the transaction does not reflect the true market value.
• If a transaction’s value is just under a specific threshold and the purchase price has been split between land and other types of assets.
• If there are reasons to suspect that stamp duty land tax has been lowered through manipulating asset values.
• When the payment includes items other than cash, like assets or services.

To ensure the investigation runs smoothly, it is important for Stamp Office staff and the valuer to work closely together. The progress of any valuation completed during an investigation should be monitored closely, so the valuer does not face unnecessary delays in reaching an agreement.

Shares and Assets Valuation (SAV)

The Shares and Assets Valuation (SAV) team is responsible for valuing various assets, including:

• Unquoted shares and securities
• Goodwill
• Residential property located outside the UK
• Ships, aircraft, caravans, and similar items
• Bloodstock and livestock
• Patents and copyrights
• Know-how and any other types of intellectual property
• Rights to deferred payments from other transactions

SAV has offices located in Edinburgh and Nottingham. For specific contact information regarding asset valuations, refer to the Shares Valuation Manual.

Note: Some information has been withheld in accordance with the Freedom of Information Act 2000.

Valuation Office Agency

The Valuation Office Agency (VOA) is responsible for giving advice on the valuation of land and buildings. This advice is provided through one of the nine District Valuer Services Units that cover England, Scotland, and Wales. The VOA can assist with the following:

• Valuations of all land and buildings in England, Scotland, and Wales, as well as commercial properties situated outside the UK.
• Determining how sale prices should be divided for all land and buildings in England, Scotland, and Wales, along with commercial properties outside the UK.
• Valuations of large portfolios of land.
• Valuations for the right to receive uncertain payments that originate from the sale of land and buildings.
• Valuations of lordships of the manor.
• Valuations of certain free-standing plant and machinery.

Additionally, the VOA can provide helpful information such as property transaction details, assessment of rates, and council tax evaluations.

For more information and guidance, please visit the VOA website at www.voa.gov.uk.