A quick guide to the Home Report Scotland
In December 2009, The Scottish Government introduced Home Reports, a similar concept to the Home Information Pack which was introduced to England and Wales in 2007. Properties for sale in Scotland now have to be marketed with the information contained in the ‘Home Report.’
The Scottish pack contains three individual documents:
A Single Survey
Prepared by a Chartered Surveyor, the single survey gives potential buyers detailed information about the condition and value of the property. The survey also contains an accessibility audit which highlights accessible features of the house to the buyers; extremely beneficial for disabled people alongside older buyers and parents with young children. The main part of the report outlines the condition of each aspect of the property, assigning a “repair category” to each:
- Category 1– No immediate action or repair is needed
- Category 2– Non-urgent repairs that will require attention in the future
- Category 3 – Urgent repairs that may cause problems to other parts of the property, or represent a safety hazard, if not attended to immediately
While you are under no legal obligation to attend to highlighted repairs prior to selling the property, the presence of category 2 or 3 defects could make your home more difficult to market successfully and is likely to affect the sale price.
For more information, read our guide on single survey
An Energy Report
An energy report has the same concept as the EPC which is required in England and Wales. The scheme was set up by the government to improve the awareness of each property's energy efficiency. The energy report gives the home a rating which indicates its environmental impact in terms of carbon dioxide emissions. The report also contains recommendations on how to reduce carbon emissions and overall advice on how to make the home more energy efficient.
A Property Questionnaire
The Property Questionnaire gives prospective buyers useful information about the property. It includes information such as parking arrangements, council tax bands, and any local authority notices or notes of alterations that have been made to the home.
The seller is responsible for providing the Home Report Scotland. The Single Survey and Energy Report can be provided by a Chartered Surveyor and the Property Questionnaire is to be completed by the home owner.
When do you need a Home Report?
If you’re putting your home on the market in Scotland, you are obliged to provide a copy of the Home Report to any prospective buyer. Failure to comply can result in a local authority penalty charge of £500. However, there are a number of specific exceptions that do not require a Home Report, which you can read about in our guide on Scottish Home Reports.
Obtaining a Home Report is an important step in selling property in Scotland; our online form allows you to compare quotes from up to three RICS-regulated Home Report Scotland providers.
How much does a Home Report cost?
Usually Home Reports will 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.
Home Report FAQs
Do you have to pay for a Home Report?
It is the property seller’s responsibility to provide and pay for the report.
What is the average cost of a home report?
The cost of a Home Report typically ranges from £285 - £450. This depends on factors such as the size of the property and the surveyors used.
How long does a Home Report take to complete?
The length of time a Home Report takes to complete is dependent on factors such as the size and age of the property. A seller must provide a Home Report within 9 days of being asked for it.
Should I offer more than the Home Report value?
It is likely that you will need to offer more than the Home Report value of the property to increase the chances of your offer being accepted.