Entering into inheritance is a procedure that requires not only patience, but also strict adherence to legal formalities. One of the key steps is valuation of inherited property, without which the notary will not be able to issue a certificate of inheritance. This assessment is needed to calculate the state duty, which depends on the value of the inherited property. At the same time, many heirs are faced with questions: where to order an assessment, how much it costs, what documents are needed and whether it is possible to save money on the procedure.
In 2026, the rules for assessing inheritance remained the same, but nuances appeared related to changes in the cadastral value of real estate and new tariffs of appraisal companies. In this article we will analyze all the stages - from choosing an appraiser to receiving a report that will be accepted by a notary. We will pay special attention controversial issues, for example, when a notary refuses to accept a report or demands a revaluation. You will also learn how to avoid common mistakes that lead to delays in inheritance registration.
If you inherit a car, apartment, house or other property, you cannot do without an independent assessment. Even if you are the only heir, the law requires proof of market value on the date of death of the decedent. This rule is enshrined in Art. 333.25 Tax Code of the Russian Federation and Art. 1172 Civil Code of the Russian Federation. It is important to remember: valuation for a notary and valuation for sale are different procedures with different requirements for documents.
In the article you will find current prices for the valuation of different types of property, examples of calculating state duties and tips on how to speed up the process. And if you have already encountered a refusal from a notary, at the end there is a section with an analysis of typical reasons and ways to solve them.
1. Why do you need an inheritance valuation for a notary?
The main purpose of the assessment is to determine market value of property at the time of opening of the inheritance (date of death of the testator). This amount is used to calculate two key payments:
1. State fee for issuing a certificate of inheritance. Its size depends on the degree of relationship:
- 👨👩👧👦 Close relatives (children, spouses, parents, brothers/sisters) pay 0.3% of property value, but no more 100,000 rubles.
- 👥 Other heirs (cousins, non-relatives) - 0,6%, but no more 1,000,000 rubles.
2. Personal income tax (NDFL), if the inheritance was not received from a close relative. In this case you will have to pay 13% of property value (minus the costs of its acquisition by the testator).
Without an assessment, the notary will not be able to issue a certificate of inheritance, which means you will not be able to transfer the property to yourself. For example, in order to sell an inherited apartment, you first need to obtain ownership - and for this you need an appraisal report.
⚠️ Attention! If the testator left a will, an appraisal is still required. The will only determines who will receive the property, but does not exempt from paying state duty.
2. What property needs to be valued?
It is necessary to evaluate all property subject to inheritance, with the exception of personal belongings (clothes, shoes, household appliances without high cost). Here's the full list:
- 🏠 Real estate: apartments, houses, land plots, garages, commercial premises.
- 🚗 Transport: cars, motorcycles, boats, planes (yes, they are also inherited!).
- 💎 Valuables: jewelry, antiques, works of art, collections (coins, stamps, weapons).
- 💰 Financial assets: shares, bonds, shares in a business, bank deposits (if they were not bequeathed separately).
- 📱 Machinery and equipment: if this is professional equipment (for example, cameras for a photographer) or expensive electronics (laptops, servers).
⚠️ Attention! There is no need to evaluate bank accounts and deposits - their value is confirmed by a certificate from the bank. An appraisal is also not required for property whose value less than 10,000 rubles (for example, old furniture or household appliances).
Pay special attention real estate with encumbrances (mortgage, arrest, easement). In this case, the appraiser must indicate in the report not only the market value, but also the amount of debt. The notary will take this into account when calculating the state duty.
3. Who can conduct a valuation for a notary?
Only the licensed appraiser or appraisal company, included in Unified Register of Self-Regulatory Organizations of Appraisers (SRO). The notary will only accept a report from an accredited specialist. Here's who can perform the assessment:
- 📋 Independent appraisers — individuals with a valid qualification certificate.
- 🏢 Appraisal companies — legal entities that are members of an SRO (for example, "Russian Society of Appraisers", "National Guild of Appraisers").
- 🏛️ Government institutions - for certain types of property (for example, BTI can evaluate real estate at cadastral value).
⚠️ Attention! Notary has no right to insist on a specific appraisal company. If they offer you “their” appraiser, this is a violation Art. 16 of the Law on Valuation Activities. You have the right to choose any accredited specialist.
How to check an appraiser?
- Request copy of the certificate or certificate of membership in SRO.
- Check the company at SRO register.
- Check if you have experience working with notaries (some appraisers specialize only in insurance cases).
The cost of appraiser services depends on the type of property and region. For example, appraising an apartment in Moscow will cost 3,000–8,000 rubles, and in a small town - 1,500–4,000 rubles. See the next section for exact prices.
4. The cost of assessing the inheritance in 2026
Valuation prices depend on type of property, its value and region. Below is a table of average prices in Russia for 2026:
| Property type | Cost of assessment (₽) | Due date |
|---|---|---|
| Apartment (1 room) | 2 500 – 6 000 | 1–3 days |
| Apartment (2-3 rooms) | 3 500 – 8 000 | 1–3 days |
| Private house with plot | 5 000 – 12 000 | 2–5 days |
| Car (up to 3 million ₽) | 1 500 – 4 000 | 1 day |
| Jewelry (up to 500 thousand ₽) | 1 000 – 3 000 | 1 day |
| Shares/shares in business | from 5 000 | 3–7 days |
💡 Advice: If you inherit several objects (for example, an apartment and a car), many companies offer a discount 10–20% for a comprehensive assessment.
⚠️ Attention! Cheap valuation (for example, for 500–1,000 rubles) should be alarming. The notary may not accept the report if:
- The appraiser is not a member of the SRO.
- There is no seal or signature on the report.
- The value of the property is underestimated by more than 30% from the market (this can be regarded as a deliberate understatement to reduce the state duty).
If you doubt the honesty of the appraiser, you can order second independent assessment and compare the results. The difference is 10–15% considered normal.
Before ordering an appraisal, check with the notary whether he accepts reports in electronic form. Some require an original with a “living” seal, even if the law does not require this.
5. Step-by-step instructions: how to order an appraisal for a notary
To avoid wasting time on rework, follow this algorithm:
- Collect property documents (list below).
- Select an appraiser (check license and reviews).
- Sign an agreement for the provision of services (pay attention to the timing and cost).
- Provide documents to the appraiser (can be in person or online).
- Wait for the report (usually 1–5 days).
- Check the report for compliance with notary requirements.
- Submit the report to the notary along with other inheritance documents.
📋 Documents for assessment (depending on the type of property):
Death certificate of the testator|Document confirming ownership (extract from the Unified State Register, PTS, registration certificate)|Passport of the heir|Technical documentation (cadastral passport for real estate, diagnostic card for a car)|Power of attorney (if you are acting through a representative)-->
⚠️ Attention! If the appraiser asks original documents, and not copies - this is suspicious. According to the law, it is enough for assessment notarized copies or scans with an electronic signature.
After receiving the report, check:
- 📅 Date of assessment must coincide with the date of death of the testator (or be as close as possible).
- 🏷️ Report number and SRO seal - without them, the document is invalid.
- 📊 Assessment Methodology (must indicate: comparative, income or cost approach).
If the notary refuses to accept the report, demand written justification with reference to the law. Often refusals are unfounded - they can be appealed to Notary Chamber or court.
The assessment report is valid for 6 months from the date of preparation. If during this time you did not manage to formalize the inheritance, you will have to make a new assessment.
6. Assessment methods: which one to choose?
There are three main valuation methods, and the final value of the property (and therefore the amount of state duty) depends on the choice. Let's look at each one:
1. Market valuation - the most common option. The appraiser analyzes offers on the market and determines the average price of similar objects. Suitable for:
- 🏡 Apartments, houses, land plots.
- 🚘 Cars (including mileage and condition).
- 💍 Jewelry and antiques.
Pros: accurate, accepted by all notaries.
Cons: more expensive than other methods.
2. Cadastral value - used for real estate. Data is taken from Rosreestr. Suitable if:
- 📉 The market price is close to the cadastral price (the difference is no more 20%).
- 🏢 The object is new or standard (for example, an apartment in a new building).
Pros: cheaper than market valuation (sometimes free if you request an extract yourself).
Cons: the notary may require a market valuation if the cadastral value is clearly underestimated.
3. Face value — applies to shares, shares in LLC. Taken from the company's statutory documents.
Pros: fast and cheap.
Cons: if the denomination is very different from the market price, the notary will request an additional appraisal.
💡 Advice: If you inherit share in the apartment, check with the appraiser whether he will evaluate the entire apartment or just your part. Sometimes it is more profitable to evaluate the entire property and divide the cost in proportion to shares.
⚠️ Attention! Notary does not have the right to insist on a specific assessment method, but may recommend a market-based approach if other options are questionable. For example, if the cadastral value of an apartment is 5 million ₽, and the market one - 8 million ₽, the notary is more likely to accept a market valuation.
What to do if the score is too high?
If the market value of the property turns out to be inflated (for example, due to an appraiser’s error), you can:
- Request from an appraiser report correction with justification (for example, it is cheaper to give analogues).
- Order second assessment from another company and present both reports to the notary.
- Dispute the assessment in court, if the difference with the real value exceeds 30%.
Important: the notary is obliged to accept the lowest of the presented estimates, if both are fulfilled according to the law.
7. Common mistakes and how to avoid them
Errors in assessing inheritance lead to delays, additional expenses or even legal disputes. Here are the most common:
1. Undervaluation of property
Some heirs ask the appraiser to artificially lower the value in order to save on state fees. However, a notary can:
- 🔍 Request additional documents (for example, an extract from Rosreestr for real estate).
- ⚖️ Refuse to register an inheritance if the underestimation is obvious.
If the notary discovers a deliberate understatement, he has the right to send the materials to the tax office for verification. In this case, you face a fine of up to 20% of the amount of arrears (Article 122 of the Tax Code of the Russian Federation).
2. Valuation for the wrong date
The assessment must be made on date of death of the testator (or as close as possible to it). If the appraiser indicated the current date, the notary will refuse. For example:
- ❌ Incorrect: "Valuation dated 05/15/2026" if the testator died on 01/10/2026.
- ✅ Correct: "Evaluation as of 01/10/2026" (even if the report was compiled later).
3. Inconsistency of documents
If the report contains incorrect data (for example, the area of the apartment or the model of the car), the notary will return the document for revision. Always check:
- 📄 Passport details heir.
- 🏠 Address and cadastral number real estate.
- 🚗 VIN and license plate number car.
4. Overdue report
The assessment report is valid 6 months. If you did not manage to register the inheritance during this time, you will have to order a new appraisal.
⚠️ Attention! If the notary refuses to accept the report without explanation, demand written refusal with justification. This document can be submitted to Notary Chamber or court.
8. Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
🔹 Is it necessary to evaluate property if there are several heirs?
Yes, an assessment is required in any case. The notary will calculate the state duty for each heir in proportion to his share. For example, if the apartment costs 6 million ₽, and there are three of you, each will pay a fee from 2 million ₽.
🔹 Is it possible to make an assessment yourself?
No, self-assessment does not have legal force. The report must be made licensed appraiser. An exception is the cadastral value of real estate, which can be obtained free of charge through Rosreestr.
🔹 What to do if the appraiser overestimates the value of the property?
You can:
- Ask the appraiser to review the report (provide your arguments, for example, analogues are cheaper).
- Order a second appraisal from another company and present both reports to the notary.
- Challenge the valuation in court if the difference with the actual value exceeds 30%.
The notary is obliged to accept the lowest of the presented estimates, if both are fulfilled according to the law.
🔹 How long does the assessment take?
The period depends on the type of property:
- 🏠 Real estate - 1–3 days.
- 🚗 Car — 1 day.
- 💎 Jewelry - 1–2 days.
- 📈 Shares/shares — 3–7 days.
For urgent orders, many companies make an estimate for several hours (but the cost increases by 30–50%).
🔹 Is it possible to appeal a notary’s refusal to accept an assessment report?
Yes. If the notary refuses without legal grounds, you can:
- Write a complaint to Notary Chamber your region.
- Contact court with a requirement to oblige the notary to accept the report.
In your complaint please indicate:
- Notary and appraiser details.
- Reason for refusal (if specified).
- Evidence of the legality of the report (copy of the appraiser’s license, extract from the SRO).
The deadline for consideration of the complaint is until 30 days.