From 1 December 2008, a Home Report will be required for most residential properties being marketed for sale. Sellers are required to commission and pay for the report, which will be made available to prospective buyers on request.
The Home Report is a pack of three documents: a Single Survey, an Energy Report and a Property Questionnaire.
The Single Survey is a detailed survey of the property conducted by a qualified surveyor. The survey will give sellers information about the condition and value of a property 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.
The Energy Report contains an assessment of the energy efficiency of the home 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.
The Property Questionnaire is completed by the seller of the property. It contains information about the home, such as Council Tax banding, 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.
Energy Performance Certificates
Even if you do not need a Home Report for your property, you may have to provide an Energy Performance Certificate when a property you own is sold or rented out after the 4th January 2009. more information>>
If you are thinking of selling your property, you can instruct us to provide a Home Report as part of the preparations for putting your home on the market. Home Reports - A guide to buyers & sellers from Thorntons Property Services (pdf)
As lawyers and estate agents, we have a unique combination of skills and expertise that makes us ideally suited dealing with the preparation of a Home Report for your home.
We will instruct a qualified surveyor to provide the Single Survey and the Energy Report, compile these reports and the Property Questionnaire into the finished Home Report and make it ready for distribution to interested buyers on-line, by email and as a printed document.
The seller will be responsible for the instructon and cost of the Home Reports. Thorntons has negotiated rates with surveyors to ensure that Home Reports provided to Thorntons' clients, provide an excellent product and good value for money in the market.
Thorntons can also assist by making a range of payment options available including a deferred payment arrangement, that could mean you will not have to pay for your Home Report until your home is sold. Please contact a member of the team for more information.
Find out more
Thorntons Property Services, with years of experience in the local market place, continue to offer a free market appraisal service to property owners. This includes advice on marketing services, asking price and the related costs involved in selling and buying.
This service is now extended to include advice relating to Home Reports. Contact a member of our team for more information on how Thorntons Property Services can assist you.
