It is a legal requirement since December 2008 to have a Home Report in Scotland before marketing a home. New build properties don’t require one nor do off market sales, provided no marketing takes place at all. Gibson Kerr’s property lawyers can advise you on every aspect of the preparation of a Scottish Home Report.
What is a Scottish Home Report report?
Essentially, it’s a document which tells prospective purchaser about the condition of a property.
What information does a Scottish Home Report contain?
It contains 3 elements:-
- Single Survey – prepared by a chartered surveyor. The surveyors opinion of current market value and contains a full report on the condition of the property, laid out in a standard format, so it’s easy to compare one property with another. It also tells you about the urgency of repairs:-
Category 1 – no action or repair is required.
Category 2 – repairs are required in the future, but estimates are recommended now
Category 3 – Urgent repairs requiring attention now
- Energy Performance Certificate, prepared by the surveyor who carries out the single survey. It grades a property’s energy efficiency and environmental friendliness on a scale A – G, with recommendations as to steps which can be taken to improve the grading.
- Property Questionnaire – prepared by the Seller and giving information about parking, council tax band, contribution to maintenance, central heating, alterations and other practical information useful to a purchaser.
How long does a Scottish Home Report main valid for?
It is valid for 3 months, but can be brought up-to-date if the property doesn’t sell within 3 months. Sometimes a purchaser’s lender requires its own valuation, so an update of the home report is not always necessary.
How do you arrange to get a Scottish home report carried out on your property?
Generally, the selling agent arranges this and works closely in conjunction with a surveyor. Gibson Kerr Estate Agents can make all the arrangements for you to get your house onto the market in a timely manner.
What happens if the home of report highlights a problem with the condition of the property?
Gibson Kerr Estate Agents will advise you what to do, but generally, estimates can be obtained from contractors and these can be made available to prospective purchasers, to give them peace of mind and an indication of the budget they will need to deal with the issue. It’s rare that the seller needs to carry out repairs prior to a property going onto the market.
Contact Gibson Kerr Estate Agents by telephone on 0131 202 7516 or through our online enquiry form to find out how we could help you.