Gateway Surveyors is urging lenders to ensure that every surveyor they use is a member of a new accreditation scheme which comes into effect on 1 May.

The RICS Valuer Registration Scheme is designed raise valuation standards, monitor output, improve quality, provide protection to the public by demonstrating robust self-regulation and mitigate the risks of statutory intervention.

A chartered surveyor will not be able to undertake loan security valuations for banks or building societies, or a private valuation for purchase or a valuation for probate unless they are registered under the scheme before it comes into effect

Mel Kettle, client service director at Gateway, said: “This new scheme seems to have crept up on some in the industry which is why it is vital that lenders and surveyor firms are aware of their responsibilities. A number of lenders are already asking us to provide evidence that all of our surveyors have the necessary accreditation and we are happy to provide this. However