What is a home report in Scotland?
What is a home report in Scotland? When you put your property up for sale in Scotland, it is a legal requirement for the seller to have a Home Report . Put simply, a home report is a document outlining the condition and value of a property for sale.
The home report in Scotland is made available to prospective buyers to provide additional information about the property. A purchaser, and a purchasers solicitor, should fully read and understand the contents of the document too in order to decide whether the property is right for them.
What are the different parts of a home report?
Single Survey
This is a report completed by a surveyor on the internal and external condition of the property and contains the properties valuation. There is often also a Mortgage Valuation Report by the surveyor which can be used by mortgage lenders.
EPC (Energy Performance Certificate)
This gives the property an energy efficiency rating, an environmental impact rating, and provides information on the estimated energy costs of the property. It also includes actions which could be taken to improve the properties energy efficiency. A little bit like buying a new fridge freezer with an energy rating! This is more important to buyers now given the energy crisis we have at present.
Property Questionnaire
This is completed by the seller (or sometimes the seller’s agents), providing information on the property which will be helpful for potential buyers, in particular for the final purchaser of the property. Nothing within this document is legally binding but it’s important that its completed accurately and honestly.
If I am a seller how do I organise a home report?
Your agent will often instruct the home report for you. (You can instruct it too if you want to.) Before they do, they will talk through the various independent surveyors that are knowledgeable and experienced in your local area and their fee’s.
In my experience surveyors costs are often fairly similar . The cost of your home report in Scotland will depend on the anticipated value of your property. Higher the market value, the more the home report will cost.
If I am a buyer how do I see a home report?
When you find a property you like and want to see the home report, the first place I would check is the agents website. If its not there, I would then check on their chosen web portals e.g Rightmove or onthemarket.com. Often the link to the home report will be made available for you there.
Not all estate agents openly provide the links on websites, meaning you will have to call or email them to request it. They will then simply email it to you. This means an estate agent in Scotland can keep a record of who has requested a copy.
How much do they cost?
Buyers should not be charged to receive a copy of a home report in Scotland.
If you are the seller then you will be responsible to cover the cost of the home report. The cost will depend on the anticipated value of your property. For example if your house is anticipated to be worth between £200,000 – £300,000 then the home report will cost you in the region of £650 – £750 inc. VAT.
The cost increases the more your property is worth. A property worth between £600,000 – £700,000 would be around £900 – £1000 inc VAT.
Eek…so much money!
Surveyors will often ask for payment before they even attend the appointment.
Are any properties exempt?
There are various circumstances where a home report in Scotland will not be required. It is important to note though that even though home reports may not be required an EPC (Energy Performance Certificates) or other valuations may still be required.
Here are the main circumstances where a home report is not required:
- New homes. Sold off plan and new build homes completed and never inhabited.
- Newly converted homes. A building converted into a new dwelling house which has never been inhabited.
- Private sales. Where the property has never been for sale on the open market. Often a sale to a friend or family member.
- Property to be developed. Derelict cottage with planning permission to be re developed into a larger home or demolished. This would also include unsafe properties.
- Property Portfolio. When a group of multiple properties are sold in one transaction. For example, selling a whole tenement of apartments to one person. This can also include an estate with several properties.
- Mixed Sales. When a home is sold as part of a business. For example a farmhouse will form part of the sale of a larger farm.
I hope you are now confident about what a home report is in Scotland. If you have any question please feel free to get in touch on the contact page. I love hearing from you all.
If you are keen to understand my thoughts on the good & bad aspects to home reports read here Home Reports in Scotland. Good or bad? and this will also be super helpful Home Reports in Scotland FAQ