Help to Buy Valuation in Nonington

The Help to Buy equity loan scheme has helped many first-time buyers in Nonington and across Kent get onto the property ladder. However, when it comes time to repay all or part of your equity loan, staircase to increase your ownership, or sell your property, you will need a formal RICS valuation. This is not just a market assessment but a legal requirement governed by the RICS Valuation Global Standards and the RICS UK Valuation Information Papers. The scheme, which operated from 2013 until 2023, provided equity loans of up to 20% (or 40% in London) to help buyers purchase new-build properties.

In Nonington, where the property market has experienced notable changes, getting an accurate Help to Buy valuation is crucial. The village, located within the Dover district of Kent, has a population of approximately 920 residents across 320 households according to the 2021 Census. The local housing stock is predominantly detached and semi-detached properties, with 86.3% of homes being whole houses or bungalows, reflecting the village's predominantly residential character. This means the majority of properties in Nonington are larger family homes, which influences both their market value and the complexity of the valuation process.

Our Help to Buy valuations in Nonington satisfy all Homes England requirements. The report must be prepared by a RICS-qualified surveyor who is independent of any estate agent involved in your transaction. The valuation will include a physical inspection of the interior of your property, analysis of at least three comparable properties from the local area, and be addressed to Homes England on company letterhead. The valuer must be registered with RICS and hold either MRICS or FRICS status to ensure professional standards are maintained throughout the process.

The valuation itself determines the amount you repay based on the property's current market value at the time of inspection, not your original purchase price. Given the significant price adjustments Nonington has experienced, with prices falling considerably from their 2022 peak, this current market valuation is particularly important for equity loan calculations. Our surveyors understand these market dynamics and provide detailed market commentary in your report to explain how we've arrived at the valuation figure.

• RICS Red Book compliant valuation
• Independent RICS-registered surveyor requirement
• Physical interior property inspection
• Minimum three local comparable properties
• Three-month validity with extension options available
• Report addressed to Homes England

The historical context of Nonington is particularly relevant for property valuations. The parish was divided in 1951, with the mining village of Aylesham becoming a separate parish. Snowdown Colliery, a significant coal mine located near Nonington, operated from 1912 until 1987 as part of the East Kent Coalfield. While Nonington itself is not a former mining village, properties in the area may be affected by historical mining activity, and our surveyors consider this when assessing your property. We review available coal mining reports and ground stability information as part of our due diligence.

Building materials in Nonington reflect its Kentish heritage. Properties commonly feature timber-framed construction with rendered finishes, red brick in various bonds, and flint. Holt Street Farmhouse, a Grade II listed property, exemplifies the local construction with red brick in irregular bond, with the upper storey rebuilt in brown brick in Flemish bond, and tile-hanging on the left return elevation. Frogham Farmhouse, dating from the C15, demonstrates traditional timber-framing with render and red brick and flint cladding. These period properties often require careful valuation consideration due to their age and construction methods.

The new build development at Old Malthouse Green by Roma Homes on Easole Street represents modern construction in the village. This development of individually designed 3, 4, and 5 bedroom homes includes affordable First Home plots, with prices ranging from £695,000 to over £1,100,000. Properties in this development may have different valuation considerations compared to older period homes in the village. The development received planning permission under application DOV/21/01615 for 27 dwellings and is adjacent to a conservation area and listed buildings.

Properties in Nonington face potential issues common to the South East region. The white chalk bedrock underlying much of the parish, combined with areas of brickearth (clay-rich soil), creates conditions for shrink-swell behaviour that can cause subsidence or heave, particularly where large trees are close to buildings with shallow foundations. Our valuers assess these ground conditions and their potential impact on property value. We also consider flood risk, though Nonington is approximately seven miles from the coast, and specific river and surface water flood risk should be checked against GOV.UK flood risk maps for individual properties.

• Historical mining activity consideration
• Period property construction methods
• New build development comparables
• Geological subsidence risk assessment
• Flood risk evaluation
• Conservation area restrictions