At what stage is valuation fee paid?

Bibbitybobbitybop

I've been asked to, and have paid, the valuation fee to Halifax today.
Does this mean I've passed the initial checks and it's looking promising?

Sncjw

No they need to value how much the house is worth and if the mortgage amount is within this. 

Bibbitybobbitybop

Sure.... I know what it's for...
My question was where in the process the valuation fee is requested. I mean I can't see them requesting payment if there was no prospect of them lending to me as an applicant. Looking at the property itself is surely in the second stage of the process.

Thrugelmir

There'll be various enquiries running at the same time. Once all the data is collated and provisional checks passed. Then an underwriter will review your application as a whole not piecemeal. 

kingstreet

Valuation fee is collected as the application is submitted so you would usually have been credit checked by that point.