A SCHEME to “reinforce” the accuracy of property valuations comes into force in Yorkshire at the end of this week.

The Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors has developed the Valuer Registration Scheme, which becomes mandatory in Yorkshire and Humber from April 30.

The scheme was devised after 7,000 members in the region agreed it was “appropriate to achieve proportionate and better regulation in the market place”.

The VRS was launched in October, 2010, to ensure that RICS members across the UK adhere to and can be monitored on practising the professional standards contained in the RICS Valuation Standards, also known as the Red Book, when undertaking valuations.

So far, more than 11,000 UK valuers have signed up – with more expected before the deadline.

From April 30, all valuers undertaking these valuations in the UK will need to have registered with the VRS in order to continue to provide Red Book valuations.

This has been put in place to further assure the quality of valuations, raise the credibility of chartered surveyor valuers and provide clearly identifiable designation for the best regulated and qualified professionals in the field.

Jennifer Welch, operations director for RICS Yorkshire, said: “The Valuer Registration Scheme helps to further establish the credibility, skills and professionalism of RICS members among clients and public authorities. It also demonstrates RICS’ focus on continuous enhancement to its regulatory approach and operations.

“’We are delighted with the number of members signing up to this scheme which clearly reinforces the importance of chartered surveyors as the leading valuation professional, providing sound, independent and consistent advice delivered to globally accepted standards.’’