The Home Report

As of the 1st December 2008, nearly all residential property for sale will have to be marketed with a Home Report. However, some properties will not require one, please see link below to discover which properties may be exempt from the requirements.

The Home Report will contain a pack of three documents.

  1. An Energy Report –
    This is an assessment by a Chartered Surveyor (a member of RICS) of the energy efficiency of the home and its environmental impact. It also recommends ways to improve its energy efficiency. This will include the Energy Performance Certificate (see footnote).
  2. A Property Questionnaire –
    This is required to be completed by the seller, with the assistance of their selling agent and solicitor where applicable. It contains additional information about the home, such as Council Tax banding and factoring costs that will be useful to buyers. It will also include any details of recent alteration work along with the necessary guarantees and other issues such as utilities, boundaries, and any rights of pre-emption on the property.
  3. A Single Survey -
    Contains an assessment by a Chartered Surveyor (a member of RICS) on the condition of the home, a valuation of the property and an accessibility audit for people with particular needs.

    In addition surveyors may provide a generic Mortgage Valuation Report that answers many of the questions that lenders will have about a property. This is not a prescribed document, but will be offered to sellers by the surveyor who carries out the survey. This may be useful in any discussions with lenders about a prospective purchase.

We specialise in Private, Off-Market Sales. Please contact us for further information on what we can do for you.

The legislation says that the report should be no more than 12 weeks old when the house is placed on the market, and whilst there is no actual shelf-life for the report, a refresher may be required if a property has been on the market for a long period of time. A house for sale which has a Home Report can be taken off the market for 28 days without needing a fresh Home Report.

It should be noted that the report must be ready prior to marketing and available to all genuine purchasers within nine days of their requesting it.

It is believed that a Home Report will cost anywhere between £400 and £2,000 to produce depending on the size and value of the house, and whilst it will take some time to compile it can be prepared when the house is being made ready for marketing.

Should you require any further advice with regard to the Home Report, or the sale of your own property please contact us on 01896 820 226 or send us your details and we will contact you to discuss your requirements.

Alternatively you may wish to visit the Scottish Government website at www.homereportscotland.gov.uk

Footnote: Those properties on the market prior to 1st December 2008 (and as a result exempt from having to supply a Home Report) must provide an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) if still available as at 4 January 2009. This is a new European Union directive, and must be adhered to.