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Property Valuation

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SMSF Property Valuations

Property valuations form the bedrock of SMSF compliance. Market value assessments, discounted cash flow calculations, and specialised valuation techniques each play vital roles at different stages. The stakes run high – one wrong valuation method choice risks derailing your fund’s compliance status and reporting accuracy.

If you have a property in your SMSF, you are required to conduct an
independent valuation on it. SMSF Property Valuations provides valuation services for commercial and residential properties that allow your fund to comply with the ATO and SMSF guidelines.

We do this by conducting a CMA market appraisal of the property in your SMSF supported by compatible data that can be used by the SMSF’s auditors to sign off on your accounts.

SMSF Residential Property Valuations
$245

Residential Property Valuations

SMSF Commercial Property Valuations
$550

Commercial Property Valuation & Rental Assessment

Why choose us?

We are an independent property firm specialising in providing complaint SMSF valuation reports that pass audit and ATO requirements.

Easy Online Ordering

Reducing paperwork and time. We have made it as simple as possible to order a Property Valuation in just a few steps!

Fast delivery

Reports can take up to 48 hours, however in most cases reports are completed and delivered same or next business day.

ATO Compliant

SMSF trustees need to consider valuing assets for superannuation purposes every 3 years.

See What is Included in Your Report

Reports can take up to 48 hours, however in most cases reports are completed and delivered same or next business day.

Property valuations pop up more often than trustees expect. We see four key scenarios:

  1. Annual financial reporting
  2. Member balance calculations
  3. In-house asset checks (that crucial 5% limit)
  4. Pension payment calculations
  5. Commercial purchases from related parties

Annual reviews have now become common, but the approach can change depending on the property and circumstances.

SMSF Property Valuations & its Price

Frequently asked questions

Most frequent questions asked and answered

The ATO makes it clear that trustees must get objective and supportable market valuations.

Your property might represent much of your fund’s value. This situation calls for a qualified independent valuer. The need becomes even more vital with complex property types or unusual market conditions.

Documentation requirements

ATO needs detailed written documentation that has:

  • Valuation approach and methodology used
  • Assumptions
  • Supporting market data and analysis
  • Detailed outcomes and conclusions

You must keep records that explain how you determined property values. These documents serve as your best defense during audits.

Quality control measures

The integrity of your valuations depends on these quality control steps:

  1. Review property portfolios annually to track valuation timing
  2. Compare results against industry standards
  3. Factor valuation costs into your SMSF’s operating budget
  4. Keep detailed records of methodology and data sources

Quality control goes beyond paperwork. ATO emphasizes that valuations must be fair and reasonable, considering everything that affects the asset’s value.

Values that appear substantially inflated or deflated might trigger audits. A single piece of evidence, like a real estate agent’s letter, no longer meets ATO requirements.

There are three main professional valuation approaches used, we prefer the CMA approach as it uses the most recent data.

Comparative market analysis

The comparative market analysis (CMA) remains the most accessible method in SMSF property valuations. This approach looks at recent sales of similar properties in the same area. It takes into account these factors:

  • Property size and features
  • Location characteristics
  • Recent market trends
  • Structural condition
  • Property improvements

Income capitalisation approach

The income capitalisation method works well for commercial properties. This approach determines value based on the property’s ability to generate income. Here’s how it works:

  1. Calculate the fully leased net income
  2. Apply an appropriate capitalisation rate
  3. Make capital adjustments for future costs

In addition, the capitalisation rate helps show the property’s inherent risk. This method really shines with properties that have unrelated tenants because it gives us objective data to work with.

Cost approach methodology

The cost approach, also called the replacement cost method, helps with unique properties or ones that don’t have much sales history. 

  1. Find current land value through comparable sales
  2. Work out construction costs at today’s rates
  3. Account for depreciation based on age and condition
  4. Make adjustments for property improvements

The ATO needs valuations to be based on objective and supportable data, whatever method you choose.

Frequency of Valuations

The ATO mandates that all assets within an SMSF, including real property, be reported at their market value in the fund’s financial statements at the end of each financial year. Annual valuations are becoming common; previously, these were every 3 years for maintaining the integrity and accuracy of the fund’s financial reporting. However, there are specific circumstances where more frequent valuations may be necessary:

  • Commencement of a Pension: When an SMSF member starts a pension, the value of the supporting assets must be determined to calculate the correct minimum and maximum pension amounts. The valuation should be recent, typically within 12 months prior to the pension’s commencement.

  • Significant Events: If substantial changes occur, such as major renovations to the property or significant shifts in the local real estate market, an updated valuation may be warranted to ensure the asset’s value is accurately reflected.

the Australian Taxation Office (ATO) has been actively investigating Self-Managed Superannuation Funds (SMSFs) for compliance with asset valuation requirements. In March 2024, the ATO scrutinized over 16,500 SMSFs that had reported certain asset classes—such as residential and commercial properties, unlisted companies, and unlisted trust investments—at the same value for at least three consecutive income years. This raised concerns about adherence to the legal obligation of valuing and reporting assets at their market value annually.

The ATO’s analysis also highlighted that more than 1,000 SMSF auditors associated with these funds had not lodged any Auditor Contravention Reports (ACRs) regarding potential breaches of market valuation rules. This absence of ACRs underscores the importance of auditors in ensuring compliance within the SMSF sector.

In response, the ATO initiated targeted communications to trustees and auditors, emphasizing the necessity of annual asset valuations based on objective and supportable data. Trustees are reminded that failure to meet valuation requirements can lead to additional tax liabilities and administrative penalties.

This development serves as a critical reminder for SMSF trustees and auditors to diligently adhere to asset valuation obligations, ensuring that all valuations reflect current market conditions and are well-documented to maintain compliance and avoid potential penalties.

Reports can take up to 48 hours, however in most cases reports are completed and delivered same or next business day.

Your report will be emailed to you in pdf form. Please make sure to use a valid and correctly entered email address when ordering. If you discover you have made a mistake, please contact us with your order number.

We currently accept VISA, Mastercard, and Amercian Express. Credit and Debit cards are also accepted. Accounting firms/auditors can pay on account.

Get in touch

Feel Free to contact us if you have any specific questions and complex valuations prior to submission.

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