Valuation standards: A comparison of four European countries

Outlines the case for the harmonisation of European investment valuation standards. Specific attention focuses upon the national valuation standards within Sweden, The Netherlands, Germany and France with a view to assessing the prospects for uniformly accepted European investment valuation standards. Current practice and perceptions from interviews with 110 valuers are analysed. Educational background and professional training are shown to be influential in decisions upon whether to use national standards, TEGOVA standards or the RICS Red Book. The advent of property performance index series is shown to be a major factor influencing the harmonisation of valuation methods and standards. Conclusions reflect upon the variation between the four countries and the limited progress on the adoption of harmonised standards in Europe.