A desktop valuation is a property valuation undertaken without a physical inspection of the property, relying instead on available data sources, records, and market evidence.

Rather than visiting the property, the valuer analyses information such as floor areas, tenure details, planning context, comparable transactions, and publicly available property data.

Desktop valuations are typically used where a full inspection is impractical, unnecessary, or disproportionate to the purpose of the valuation. Common scenarios include preliminary advisory assessments, portfolio reviews, internal decision-making, and certain low-risk lending or accounting exercises. The approach enables a valuer to form an opinion of value based on market knowledge and documented evidence rather than direct observation.

Because no inspection is carried out, desktop valuations are inherently subject to greater assumptions. Matters such as the property’s condition, specification, alterations, and physical characteristics are not verified firsthand. As a result, the accuracy and reliability of the valuation depend heavily on the quality and completeness of the information available.

Desktop valuations differ materially from inspection-based valuations, where a surveyor physically examines the property and can account for factors not evident from records or databases. Issues including disrepair, configuration, compliance, and site-specific influences may affect value but remain unseen in a desktop exercise.

For this reason, desktop valuations are generally considered appropriate only where the valuation purpose, property type, and risk profile justify a non-inspection approach. Lenders, investors, and professional advisers typically determine whether a desktop valuation is suitable depending on the circumstances of the instruction.

In professional practice, desktop valuations remain a recognised valuation method but should not be regarded as a substitute for inspection-based advice where physical factors are likely to be material.