Who we are
HMRC Valuation Office (VO) are the public sector’s property valuation experts and advisers with a vision to be a world-leading provider of public sector valuations. Our work is vital to the collection of over £60 billion of revenue which goes back into communities, touching every citizen and every business across the UK.
VO is one of the biggest employers of Chartered Surveyors in the UK. We value millions of properties, both homes and business premises, so local councils know how much tax to charge.
What we do
You’re probably most familiar with the A to I council tax banding of your house. The valuation we determine ensures your house is in the right band, so you pay the correct amount of tax to your local council.
For businesses this is a bit more complicated. We value everything from your local shop to supermarkets, schools and sports stadiums to zoos, solar and wind farms, 4G transmission towers and everything in between.
“Joining HMRC VO means becoming part of an organisation whose work makes a significant difference. We’re recognised for excellent training, flexibility and the variety of our work. We’re committed to ensuring that everyone has the same opportunities to progress, develop and feel happy in their job.”
Jonathan Russell
Director General of Valuation Office
What we offer
There’s a variety of job roles and job pathways in the VO. Many people have progressed their careers in the VO, joining as young people and climbing the career ladder.
We also offer apprenticeships in areas such as surveying, operational delivery and leadership and management.
Read on to find out more about our apprenticeships and programmes.
HMRC VO Surveying Apprenticeships
At the HMRC VO we run campaigns each year to recruit apprentices onto our Level 3 Surveying Technician Apprenticeship and Level 6 Chartered Surveyor Apprenticeship schemes. All our apprenticeships are advertised on the National Apprenticeship website and on Civil Service Jobs www.civilservicejobs.service.gov.uk
We also offer a range of other apprenticeships to existing colleagues too. So, if you join us in another role, you can apply for a range of apprenticeships as a development opportunity.
About the apprenticeship
The Level 3 Surveying Technician Apprenticeship takes around 2 years and 3 months, including a Level 3 Diploma and AssocRICS qualification.
The Level 6 Chartered Surveyor Apprenticeship offers BSc (around 5 years) or MSc (around 3 years) routes, leading to a RICS-accredited degree, relevant experience, and progression towards APC and Chartered status.
You’ll be supported by a manager, buddy and counsellor, with 20% off-the-job learning time to develop your skills and career.
- Salary: Over £28,016 per annum (£31,471 in London) for Level 3
- Salary: Over £31,096 per annum (£35,423 in London) for Level 6
- Contract: Flexible 37 hours per week
- 25 days annual leave on entry, increasing by 1 day per year up to a maximum of 30 days
- A competitive contributory pension scheme
- Flexible working, including flexi-time
- Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Wellbeing initiatives
You’ll follow a structured programme of work and learning to build the breadth of experience needed for your apprenticeship.
Level 3 apprentices gain hands-on experience in property research, inspection and valuation, supported by a qualified RICS counsellor in year 2.
Level 6 apprentices work across a range of surveying and valuation roles, recording progress towards APC with support from a qualified counsellor. Full training and mentoring are provided throughout.
To apply for this apprenticeship, you’ll need:
For Level 3: GCSE A*-C/Grades 9-4 or equivalent in Maths and English.
For Level 6 MSc: an honours degree in a non-property related subject at 2:2 or above and GCSE A*-C / Grade 9-4 or equivalent in Maths and English.
For Level 6 BSC: 96 UCAS points (2021 tariff), or an equivalent level of educational attainment, or AssocRICS. Candidates must also hold GCSE A*-C / Grade 9-4 or equivalent in Maths and English.
For Level 6 BSc and MSc: Hold a full UK/EU Driving Licence – A provisional licence is accepted at time of application however a full licence must be attained and evidenced within 6 months (for MSc) or 2 years (for BSc) of take up date. However, if you are considered disabled under the Equality Act 2010 and do not hold a full driving licence, we will consider your application.
Typically, there are no driving licence requirements for Level 3. However, this can vary depending on operational requirements at the time of advertising.
General requirements for all our apprenticeships: certain residency requirements will apply. Candidates must not already hold a qualification at the same level or above in the same subject area as the apprenticeship. For the duration of the apprenticeship, candidates can not undertake another qualification at the same time.
Returners Programme
The HMRC VO returner programme is aimed at chartered surveyors who have spent time away from the profession.
The programme is a 9 month fixed term appointment to bring qualified surveyors who have not been active within the profession back into roles. This programme is a refresh of professional knowledge and upskilling to bring returners back into roles within the surveying profession.
For information on how to apply, see our returners programme guidance.
Graduate Valuation Surveyor Programme
Our Graduate Valuation Surveyor Programme supports you in achieving Chartered Surveyor (MRICS) status through the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors’ (RICS) Assessment of Professional Competence (APC).
If you have the ambition, skills, and passion for surveying, this programme could be the perfect place to build your surveying career.
“From day one, the VO has been incredibly welcoming and supportive. The training provided is thorough, well-structured and includes a wide variety of events, both in-person and online. The support from colleagues has made a real difference in my development.” – Daniela, Graduate Trainee, Graduate Valuation Surveyor Programme
About the programme
Throughout the programme, you’ll be supported by:
- A Line Manager to support your development and performance.
- An MRICS-qualified Counsellor to guide your APC journey.
- A Supervisor to support your day-to-day learning.
- Learning and Development teams providing structured training and learning resources.
- A network of experienced surveyors, graduates and professionals across the Valuation Office and Government Property Profession.
- Salary: Over £32,500 per annum (£37,235 in London)
- Contract: Permanent appointment. Full-time and part-time opportunities available.
- 25 days annual leave on entry, increasing by 1 day per year up to a maximum of 30 days
- A competitive Civil Service pension scheme
- Flexible and hybrid working arrangements, including flexi-time
In addition to the excellent Civil Service benefits, the Valuation Office supports your professional development through:
- Wider development opportunities across the Government Property Profession and Civil Service, including loans and secondments where available
- International externships and research projects with global property professionals.
- CPD and APC support, including the RICS VO Professional Qualification Support Package.
- Wellbeing and employee assistance support, plus access to RICS LionHeart.
- Progression opportunities to Lead Valuer and other senior roles after MRICS qualification, subject to business need.
Our Graduate Programme offers a minimum 24-month training programme with rotational opportunities to help you achieve Chartered Surveyor status through the RICS APC. Combining formal training with hands-on experience, you’ll develop your skills through property inspections, valuation work, evidence analysis and professional advice across a range of disciplines, including Non-Domestic Rating, Council Tax, Inheritance Tax, Capital Gains Tax, Compulsory Purchase and Development Appraisals.
To apply for the Graduate Valuation Surveyor Programme, you’ll need one of the following criteria:
Hold or expect to hold a RICS-accredited undergraduate or a post graduate degree at 2:2 or above in Real Estate or Valuation.
OR, any of the following pathways: Commercial Real Estate, Residential, Planning and Development, Rural, Property Finance and Investment, Corporate Real Estate.
Our Graduate Valuation Surveyor Programme is advertised in the autumn on Civil Service Jobs www.civilservicejobs.service.gov.uk
“I would highly recommend the graduate programme at the VO. One of the best aspects was the training that I received throughout the scheme, and I felt consistently supported by colleagues within my office and across the wider Valuation Office. The variation of work I undertook and the opportunities to take on responsibility were key to passing the APC. Post qualification, I have trained as an RICS assessor for the APC and also gained a place on the Canadian Externship programme which involved taking part in a research project whilst being based in Calgary.” – Louis, RICS Assessor, HMRC
The Work Placement Programme
The Work Placement Programme is a year-long placement undertaken as part of an RICS accredited university degree aligned with the Valuation or commercial pathway, with an agreed work-based placement (sandwich) year.
As a work placement student, you will gain hands-on experience through exposure to real casework work, enabling you to develop practical knowledge and skills while working alongside experienced surveyors.
Applications for our Work Placement Programme open in the Autumn and are advertised on Civil Service Jobs www.civilservicejobs.service.gov.uk
“I found the experience really insightful and it was nice to get out and experience a different side of the property industry.” – Isaac, current student, Work Placement Programme
On our Work Placement Programme you’ll receive a variety of support including:
- We’ll provide you with the right work to ensure you gain confidence and relevant experience in areas such as property inspection, data and valuation.
- A MRICS Qualified Chartered Valuation Surveyor who will act as your Counsellor, guiding you to start recording experience against the RICS Assessment of Professional Competence (APC) on the Valuation pathway.
Just some of the benefits we offer are:
- Salary: £31,096 per annum (£35,423 in London)
- Contract: Flexible 37 hours per week
- 25 days annual leave to take during your placement with us
- A competitive contributory pension scheme
- Flexible working, including flexi-time
The VO offers structured training and mentoring which ensures you not only develop core skills such as communication and analysis but also builds a strong understanding of the property profession and industry.
During your placement you’ll have the opportunity to complete site visits, allowing you to apply your academic learning in practice. This includes supporting property inspections, taking measurement, analysing data and contributing to valuation work.
Throughout your placement you’ll also attend away days. Recently our current placement students visited the construction site for the new flagship Regional Centre for Civil Servants, Pilgrim’s Quarter, in Newcastle. The group met with Bowmer and Kirkland on site for an insight into the building construction, timelines and challenges they had faced.
Once you have completed your placement year, there may be the opportunity to work part-time with the VO whilst you complete your studies. You’ll also be supported in applying for our graduate programme and can use your recorded experience from your placement year towards the Assessment of Professional Competence (APC), giving you a great head start towards becoming a chartered surveyor.
To apply for our Work Placement Programme you must be currently studying an RICS accredited undergraduate degree aligned to the valuation or commercial pathway, with an agreed work-based placement (sandwich) year as part of your degree. To be undertaken at the completion of your Level 5 (second year studies).
Check your degree is suitable by clicking here https://www.ricscourses.org/ and filtering on ‘valuation’ or ‘commercial’ via the pathway filter panel on the left.
“The support from colleagues was outstanding, with everyone always willing to help with both work and studies. That encouragement played a huge part in me achieving a First-Class degree and securing a place on the Graduate Programme. My advice to future placement students is to make the most of every training opportunity and tap into the expertise around you, as everyone is keen to see you succeed.” – Rio, work placement student, Work Placement Programme
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