SDLTM80370 - Compliance: Liaison

Valuation office: Contact with the valuer

Contacting the valuer before an Enquiry

The compliance caseworker may find that contacting the valuer before opening an enquiry may in some cases remove the need for a formal enquiry into the valuation aspects of a land transaction return.

Shares and Assets Valuation (SAV) Office will carry out their own risk assessment on receipt of a valuation request.

The Valuation Office Agency fulfils a similar function by providing initial informal advice and not negotiated valuations, which are given by the valuer without contacting the purchaser.

You should consider requesting a not negotiated valuation as this often provides a means of checking the valuation quickly and without the need for an enquiry. It will assist your risk assessment of a land transaction return if you ask for a not negotiated valuation as soon as possible after a return has been filed.

If the Valuation Office Agency are unable to supply a valuation within the agreed time limit, or if the case is complex or the information supplied is inadequate, the valuer will advise on what is needed to produce a valuation. Where a not negotiated valuation is requested, the valuer should be advised of the date the enquiry window closes.

(This text has been withheld because of exemptions in the Freedom of Information Act 2000)

Enquiries

The valuer will not be able to seek information from the purchaser or company unless there is an open enquiry. If an enquiry is opened while a valuer is dealing with the pre-enquiry referral or request for a not negotiated valuation the valuer should always be informed.

The valuer will advise if there are any delays in obtaining information or agreement during an enquiry

Normally valuation issues should be resolved during an enquiry.

If, exceptionally an appeal against an HM Revenue & Customs amendment at the end of an enquiry is received, and the grounds of the appeal concern a valuation issue dealt with by SAV or Valuation Office Agency, advice should be sought on how to settle the appeal.

The tribunal, which hears any appeal, will depend on the nature of the valuation point to be decided. SAV will advise on cases involving themselves and will attend a contentious appeal hearing in appropriate cases and, if necessary, present material relating to the valuation aspects.

In a case where an opinion of the market value of property in the United Kingdom is required, the District Valuer should

  • identify the land to be valued
  • state that the request is for an informal valuation for the purposes of an enquiry into stamp duty land tax
  • specify the date at which the valuation is required
  • name the purchaser and the vendor
  • specify the precise interest to be valued, for example “freehold interest subject to rights of occupation by ...”
  • give details (if known) of the date of purchase of the land by the purchaser and its original cost price
  • attach a copy of any tenancy agreement or licence to occupy in force immediately prior to the sale
  • state the consideration paid (if any) by the purchaser

If the valuation is disputed on appeal, the appellant should be asked if they are employing a professional adviser to act on their behalf and they may be informed that arrangements will be made for the District Valuer to enter into formal negotiations with them or with that adviser.

Any agreed valuation will be reported in due course by the District Valuer.