Find answers to some frequently asked questions regarding Home Reports in Scotland, including how much they cost and who needs to get one.
What is in a Home Report?
The basic Home Report includes:
At what point do I need to provide a Home Report?
You must provide a copy of the Home Report within nine days of marketing your property.
How long is my Home Report valid for?
Currently, Home Reports do not expire. However, the documents within the report must not be older than 12 weeks when you initially put your property on the market. If your property has been for sale for a while, potential buyers may ask for a refresh to be carried out. It is also important to note that many mortgage lenders won’t accept a report that is older than 3 months.
Do we have to pay full price to refresh a Home Report?
According to our Home Report provider Edward Boyd BSc FRICS, "Home Reports do not expire as they have no finite shelf life.
However, it is common for a refresh to be instructed (usually driven by the purchaser's solicitor) but again this is not a legal requirement. This would usually happen when the sale has taken a considerable time or if the lender is looking for an update.
I usually charge a moderate fee if I have looked at the property within say, 1 year but have recently taken the decision to charge a full fee after this.”
It is often the case that the refresh is not the full amount of a Home Report.
Do I need a Home Report if I sell my home privately?
Yes, you still need a Home Report if you will be marketing the property yourself. Under Part 3 of the Housing (Scotland) Act 2006, the person accountable for the marketing the property must provide a Home Report to any potential purchasers.
To prepare a Home Report you will need to commission a Chartered Surveyor (or a Home Report provider who will engage a Chartered Surveyor) to carry out the Single Survey and produce the Energy Report. The property owner should complete the Property Questionnaire.
Can I charge a potential buyer to see the Home Report?
As a general rule, you cannot charge prospective purchasers for seeing the Home Report. However, you can make a ‘reasonable’ charge to cover costs for copying and postage if a paper copy is requested.
Who is responsible for assembling the Home Report?
Home Reports can be compiled by the seller's agent or the seller. However, a Chartered Surveyor should provide the Single Survey and the Energy Report. The Property Questionnaire should be completed by the seller, who should have the relevant history of the property.
Can I email or provide a Home Report electronically to a potential buyer?
Yes, but only if they specifically agreed to receive it electronically.
Do I always need to provide a copy of the Home Report?
If you are selling your home, you need to commission and provide a Home Report.
However, if you or your selling agent doubt the buyer’s ability to purchase the home (for example, you don't believe they're a genuine buyer or you don't think they have the funds), then the duty to provide a Home Report does not apply.
If a potential buyer considers they have been unlawfully denied a copy of the Home Report, they have the right to complain to the local authority Trading Standards.
Who pays for the Home Report?
Sellers must provide the Home Report. There is no rule stating that the buyer must contribute towards the cost for the Home Report.
How much does a Home Report cost?
Home Reports will usually cost between £285 and £450. The costs will vary depending on the size of your home and the surveyors that you decide to use. Make sure you compare surveyors to get a competitive price.
You can find the cost for Home Reports here. Each price quoted is for a Single Survey and an Energy Report. The Property Questionnaire should not involve any costs as it is a document completed by the seller.
Can I use an old Home Report?
Government legislation states that the documents in a Home Report should be fewer than 12 weeks old when the property is put up for sale. A house for sale which has a Home Report can be taken off the market for 28 days without needing a new Home Report.
Do I have to pay upfront for my Home Report?
Some Home Report providers will arrange for payment on completion. It really depends on what deals the Home Report providers in your area can offer. Sometimes this credit facility involves an additional payment.
Do I need to rectify problems found in the single survey before putting the house on the market?
This is up to you. There is no legislation forcing sellers to repair faults discovered in the Single Survey.
How long does a Home Report take?
The amount of time it takes to complete a Home Report depends on the size and age of the property. Usually the whole process will take a few days.
Which properties do not require a Home Report?
There are certain properties that a Home Report is not required for:
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New builds
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Newly converted homes
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Right to buy homes
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Seasonal and holiday accommodation (only to be lived in up to 11 months of the year)
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Properties sold privately to family or friends
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A portfolio of residential properties
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Unsafe properties
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Properties to be demolished
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Dual-use of a dwelling sales
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Mixed sales