Sellers Advice: Home Report in Scotland

by Alex Dalley on November 23, 2013

A home report is important when selling a house in Scotland. It is composed of 3 documents such as energy report, property questionnaire, and a single survey. It is available upon request by the prospect home buyers.

So, what do you mean by a home report.

Energy Report

It contains an assessment of home energy efficiency and its impact on the environment. This can improve energy efficiency.

Property Questionnaire

The property questionnaire must be completed by the home seller. It contains home information like costs and council tax that can be useful to home buyers.

Single Survey

It is compose of surveyor assessments like condition of the property, accessibility audit, and home valuation.

Importance of Home Report to Sellers

If you are a seller who wants to market a house, you must have a home report. You can give a copy to the buyers who made a request.

How To Obtain a Home Report

To obtain a home report, you need the following;

Selling agent
Chartered surveying company

When the property is on the market, home report must not be more than twelve weeks old. So that the buyers can get up-dated information. In fact, you can get your property on the market for up to four weeks on many occasions. You can put it back again without getting another home report as long as it is not yet sold. This idea can be very useful if you are planning for a holiday or perhaps carrying out a home improvement.

Cost of Home Report

The cost of home report can be checked by the selling agents. There are payment options available at hand. However, you can shop around for the available product suited for you.

How To Sell Your Home Without a Selling Agent

If you don't want a selling agent to sell your home, instruct a registered surveyor to prepare a single survey and an energy report. You have to complete the property questionnaire. Once all documents are ready, you can now sell your house. Provide a home report copy to potential buyers.

Properties That are Exempt From a Home Report

There are several exemptions when it comes to home report. It includes mixed sales, new housing, and converted houses. The exceptions are discussed below.

New housing

This includes houses that are to be sold to the first person who will buy or perhaps to the first occupant. Any subsequent home sale is not exempted even though you have a certificate from the National House-Building Council (NHBC).

Newly renovated premises

Properties that are newly converted into homes and not being used are exempt.

“Right to Buy” homes

Home selling under “right to buy” usually do not involve selling and home report is not needed here. There is a separate information applicable to purchasers under the right to buy.

Residential Property Portfolio

This is exempt from a home report because this is a commercial transaction. This includes homes like granny flat or a butler's cottage attached to a huge property.