Home Report for Homes for Sale in Scotland
For Properties in England & Wales Click here
Home Report's have been introduced in Scoltand to provide house buyers with up-front information so they can make an informed decision when buying a property.
- Do I need a Home Report?
- What Properties are Exempt from a Home Report?
- When can I start to advertise my property?
- What documents are the in the Home Report?
- Does the Home Report Expire or have a shelf life?
- How long will it take to get a Home Report?
- Requests from buyers for a copy of my Home Report Documents?
1. Do I need a Home Report?
All homes on the market from 1 December 2008 in Scotland must have a Home Report and provide upon request, a copy to prospective buyers. Houses that have been on the market prior to 1 December 2008 and are continuously marketed after 1 December, do not need to have a Home Report. If a property does not require a Home report, a seller will need to obtain an Energy Performance Certificate. Sellers should also be aware that there are a number of exceptions to the duties to provide a Home Report, for full details see below.
2. What Properties are Exempt from a Home Report?
New housing - New housing includes homes that may be sold 'off-plan' to the first purchaser or sold to the first occupier. Any subsequent sale of a home will not be exempt even if it has a certificate from, for example, the National House-Building Council (NHBC).
Newly converted premises - This means a property which is being, or has been, converted to a home if it has not previously been used in its converted state.
Right to Buy homes - As the sale of a home to a tenant under the 'Right to Buy' does not involve marketing, the duty to provide a Home Report does not apply. A separate package of information is being developed for Right to Buy purchasers. Seasonal and holiday accommodation - This exception refers to seasonal and holiday accommodation (as defined in planning legislation), which only has permission to be used for less than 11 months in any year. It does not include second homes or holiday cottages that could be used all year if the owner so chose.
A portfolio of residential properties - This means a home which is to be sold with one or more other homes and where it is clear from the manner in which the homes are marketed that the seller does not intend to accept an offer to buy one of those homes in isolation from another. Sales of a portfolio of residential properties are considered to be commercial transactions. A home which is ancillary to a principal property may include, for example a 'granny flat', or butler's cottage that is attached to a larger property on a country estate.
'Mixed sales' - This occurs where a home is sold with one or more non-residential properties (provided it is clear that the seller does not intend to consider an offer to buy the home separately from the non-residential property). This might include farmhouses that are part of a working farm, or flats above shops or pubs that are sold with the shop or pub.
Dual use of a dwelling house - This describes the situation where the home is, or forms part of, a property most recently used for both residential and non-residential purposes, such as a commercial studio where the owner also lives in the home.
Unsafe properties - Unsafe properties are evidently in a condition that poses a serious risk to the health or safety of occupants or visitors, or where the way the home is marketed suggests it is unsuitable for occupation in that condition. There is little point in a condition survey being undertaken on a home that is unfit for occupation in any case, and is being advertised as such.
Properties to be demolished - There is an exception for homes to be demolished where it is clear the home is suitable for demolition and all the necessary consents have been obtained for demolition and consents obtained for redevelopment. There is little point in a condition survey being undertaken on a home that is to be demolished and is being advertised as a development site.
The Home Report duties do not apply to non-residential property.
3. When can I start to advertise my property?
You must have the required documents in place before the property is placed on the open market for sale.
Trading Standards are responsible for enforcement of the duties to provide Home Reports. If an enforcement officer believes that there has been of a breach, by a seller or selling agent, of the duty to possess or provide a Home Report, they may issue a penalty charge notice. The notice requires payment of a penalty charge, set at £500, within a specified period of time. A seller or selling agent can appeal against the penalty charge notice and should seek advice from Trading Standards about how to go about this.
4. What documents are the in the Home Report?
There are three parts of the Home Report:
- Single Survey
The Single Survey gives sellers detailed information about the condition and value of a home before it is marketed for sale. It also gives buyers better information about the condition and value of a home before they make an offer to purchase. The Single Survey includes an accessibility audit that will make Scotland the first country to require that the accessible features of every home for sale are highlighted to potential buyers. This information will benefit parents with young children and older people, as well as disabled people.
- An Energy Report (EPC)
The Energy Report gives a home's energy efficiency rating and its environmental impact in terms of carbon dioxide emissions.
It recommends ways to improve the building's energy efficiency and gives contact details for further advice and information about how to make a home more energy efficient and save fuel costs. The Energy Report helps home buyers to make 'green' choices, by comparing energy costs between homes and giving practical advice to reduce carbon emissions and save on energy bills.
- Property Questionnaire
The Property Questionnaire contains information for home buyers, solicitors and surveyors. It would include, for example: a home's council tax band, parking facilities, factoring arrangements, any local authority notices that affect it and alterations that have been made to the home.
This information will be useful for buyers before they decide whether to submit an offer to purchase a home. The Property Questionnaire will also reduce the risk of delay and difficulties in conveyancing.
5. Does the Home Report Expire or have a Shelf Life?
The legislation does not impose a set shelf life or validity period for any of the Home Report documents. Decisions as to whether any aspects of the Home Report need to be refreshed/updated are for sellers, buyers and their professional advisers to take, depending on the circumstances of each case. The refresh is not an additional survey, but usually a simple re-inspection.
6. How long will it take to get a Home Report?
Most providers should be able to provide a report within 5-10 days.
7. Requests from buyers for a copy of my Home Report Documents?
A person responsible for marketing a house must provide a copy of any or all of the documents within nine days,however it is possible for you to refuse to provide a copy Home Report if you reasonably believe that the buyer:
- is unlikely to have sufficient means to buy the house in question
- is not genuinely interested in buying the house
- is not a person to whom the seller is likely to be prepared to sell the house, but this does not allow you to act in a discriminatory manner.
Further Information
- Sellers Guide - Selling your House Privately
- Energy Performance Certificates (EPC) - Reduce your energy costs
- Sell your House Privately for FREE
- Advertising on Fish4 - Advertise to over 1 million property seekers a month
- 3up2down For Sale Signs - For Sale Boards
- Mortgages
