Sellers guide to home reports

When selling a property in Scotland, a Home Report is a mandatory requirement that must be provided to prospective buyers upon request. This document consists of three key components:

• Single Survey: Conducted by a chartered surveyor, this survey assesses the condition of the property, provides an official valuation and includes an accessibility audit for individuals with particular needs.
• Energy Report: Also prepared by the surveyor, this report evaluates the energy efficiency of the property and its environmental impact. It offers recommendations for improving the property's energy performance, which can be beneficial for both sellers and potential buyers.
• Property Questionnaire: Completed by the seller, this questionnaire contains additional useful information about the property, such as council tax banding, factoring costs and other details that might interest buyers.

Important Legal Considerations

Recency of Documents: The current legislation mandates that the Home Report documents must be no more than 12 weeks old when the property is first put on the market.

Updating the Home Report: While there is no legal obligation to update the Home Report if the property remains on the market, some buyers lenders may require a Home Report refresh if the original report is older than 12 weeks at the time of sale.

Temporary Removal from Market: If a property with an active Home Report is taken off the market, it can remain off the market for up to 28 days without the need for a new Home Report upon relisting.