Seller FAQs

What documents are included in the Home Report?

The Home Report will include a Single Survey, an Energy Report and a Property Questionnaire.

I am thinking of selling my house soon. When do I have to provide a Home Report?

Properties marketed for sale from December 1, 2008 in Scotland will need a Home Report.

Do I have to provide a Home Report if my house is marketed for sale prior to December 1, 2008?

No, if you market your house for sale prior to December 1 you will not need to obtain a Home Report. However, if you take your house off the market anytime after December 1 and re-market it, you will have to make a Home Report available.

Should I rush to sell my house before December 1, 2008 to avoid the costs associated with the Home Report?

Well, you could. Moreover, you might avoid the cost of the Home Report as a seller. However, you would still have survey costs as a buyer of your next house! In addition, as a buyer you run the risk of having to pay for a series of surveys or valuations on properties that you may not ultimately buy. Therefore, you are unlikely to make any savings by rushing to sell your home.

Who will compile a Home Report?

The Home Report will be compiled by the seller's agent or the seller. A Chartered Surveyor or other provider will provide the Single Survey and Energy Report. The seller of the house will complete the Property Questionnaire.

I am a private seller, and do not plan on using a solicitor or estate agent to market my house. Do I need a Home Report?

Yes, under Part 3 of the Housing (Scotland) Act 2006, a person who is responsible for marketing a house must provide a Home Report to any prospective purchasers. To do this you will need to commission a Chartered Surveyor (or approved provider) to carry out the Single Survey and Energy Report. You must also complete a Property Questionnaire.

Who pays for the Home Report?

The seller is responsible for providing the Home Report. There is nothing in the legislation insisting that the buyer must reimburse the seller for the cost of the Home Report.

How 'old' can the Home Report documents be when the house is put on the market for sale?

The legislation says that the documents should be no more than 12 weeks old when the house is put on the market.

Will the Home Report have a specified shelf life? (I.e. should sellers have to pay for refreshed surveys if their houses have not sold after a few months?)

The legislation does not impose a set shelf life or validity period for any of the Home Report documents. This reflects current practice for survey reports. Decisions as to whether any aspects of the Home Report need to be updated are for sellers, buyers and their professional advisers to take, depending on the circumstances of each case.

Buyers FAQs

How can buyers receive a copy Home Report?

A Buyer should ask whoever is advertising the house for sale for a copy Home Report. This is usually an estate agent/solicitor, but could be another business or individual.

Will it cost buyers anything to obtain a copy Home Report?

No, buyers will receive a Home Report free of charge, although they may have to pay a reasonable charge to cover the costs of copying and postage. If the seller isn't using an estate agent/solicitor, the buyer should be able to get a Home Report directly from the seller.

How quickly must a seller or their agent comply with a request by a prospective buyer for a copy of any or all of the Home Report documents?

A person responsible for marketing a house must provide a copy of any or all of the documents within 9 working days.

If I buy the house, do I have to pay the seller back for the cost of the Home Report?

This is a matter between the buyer and seller. There is nothing is the legislation that insists that the buyer of the house should reimburse the seller for the cost of the Home Report.

Are Home Reports required across Scotland?

Yes. All houses marketed for sale in Scotland will require a Home Report, with only a few exceptions.

What can buyers do if a Home Report is not provided?

Buyers should receive a Home Report within 9 working days of requesting it. Sellers may refuse to provide a copy in certain limited cases. If a buyer believes that they are being denied a copy of the Home Report unlawfully, local authority trading standards officers are responsible for enforcement of these duties.