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What is a Home Report and Do I Need One?
What is a Home Report?
A home report is a document which every seller of residential property in Scotland is required to produce prior to putting the property onto the market. The Home Report itself is produced by a Chartered Surveyor who is a member of Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) and should be a Registered Valuer. They are designed to give buyers useful and necessary information regarding any property they are considering buying. Home Reports provide peace of mind for everyone involved and ensure nobody is left in the dark once a property transaction is underway. Home reports make things fairer and ensure there are no nasty surprises waiting for a buyer after they have purchased a property. They must be produced by qualified chartered surveyors like Shepherd Chartered Surveyors, accredited by the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS). A home report is valid until the property is sold; however, do bear in mind that if your property is on the market for some time (over 12 weeks) a replacement home report may be required to ensure all of the information being imparted to the buyer is up to date.
What’s in the Home Report?
A home report consists of four separate documents:
The Single Survey
This is essentially a report on the general condition of the property and takes several things into account. With Shepherd Chartered Surveyors, the aim is to be thorough, and this includes an assessment of everything from windows to gutters, from walls to the roof. Each component assessed will be given a conditional rating which ranges from 1.) – satisfactory – to a 3.) – essential work is required. By collating this data, the single survey then provides a valuation of the property in its current condition and a sum for the purposes of Insurance. If there are any category 2's on the home report, it may be advisable to obtain quotes if you are a seller or a buyer, this will give you piece of mind as you will know a rough idea of the cost to carry out the repairs even if decides not to instruct the repairs before completing the sale.
We can advise you if you are unsure about carrying out minor repairs prior to marketing, we are here to make the process as cost effective and stress free as possible. Small jobs which won't cost a huge amount could be beneficial to your sale, for instance, grout / sealant in Bathrooms needing done are common ones for a home report and won't cost lot, loose handles on windows and doors are also not expensive to repair. If you have had any leaks repaired but the paintwork is still stained, it is worth freshening up the paintwork because this could be commented on in the home report which could give a potential buyer cause for concern.
The Energy Report
With Shepherd Chartered Surveyors, an energy report includes information on the general energy efficiency of your property and helpful recommendations for improving that efficiency. Your property will be provided with an Energy Performance Certificate, which will rate the energy efficiency of the house and provide an estimate of annual energy costs for the buyer. The Energy Report will also assess your property’s overall environmental impact.
Mortgage Valuation
This is provided for the benefit of any Bank or Building Society which may be used by the buyer to secure a mortgage on your property. It provides a summary of the Single Survey so the bank or building society can see how the surveyor would report to a lender. Watch out for home report quotes and deals that appear very cheap. Surveyors purporting to sell home reports for under £200 especially will not include a mortgage valuation, which effectively renders these types of surveys useless when going to lenders, as it won’t be accepted. Meaning you need to commission a home report from a reputable surveyor anyway.
Property Questionnaire
The property sellers will complete a questionnaire about the property to provide further helpful information to prospective buyers. We can all think of things which may not be obvious from any official survey, but which might be important for a buyer to know. Accordingly, this includes things like council tax bands, planning permission or heating plans, access rights, damp issues, work guarantees and more. Making a buyer aware of these elements provides peace of mind and helps everything go more smoothly.
Typical Home Report Cost
Every property is different, and home report prices will vary depending on a number of factors, not least the size and location of the property. Shepherd Chartered Surveyors typically charge from £300 + VAT for properties under £100,000 in value. For properties valued between £200,000 and £300,000 the cost would be £500 plus vat, if your property is valued higher than £300,000 just pop us a WhatsApp on 01506 650550, we are more than happy to provide the information on the costs. With Property Connections, there is no need to instruct the home report yourself, we can add the cost onto the final invoice once you have sold, this makes the process seamless and everything is paid at the end of the contract.
Do I Really Need a Home Report?
Quite simply, a home report is required by law. Anyone in Scotland who puts a property on the market will have to provide a home report carried out by a chartered surveyor. Your home report doesn’t necessarily need to satisfy the buyer: if everything is done properly and a home report is provided, it is then the buyer’s responsibility to enlist their own surveyor if they are not satisfied. Some properties are exempt from a home report, these include new builds which a developer is placing on the market for the first time and newly converted homes which have not yet been used in their converted state.
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Why Choose Property Connections?
Choosing Property Connections means partnering with an estate agency built on trust, genuine relationships, and an unwavering commitment to doing things properly. Whether you’re buying or selling, you’ll work with a team that takes the time to understand your story, guides you with honesty, and stays by your side at every step. We’re not a nine-to-five operation - we’re here when you need us, offering clear communication, expert advice, and a calm, supportive approach that removes the stress from moving home. Backed by cutting-edge technology, detailed local knowledge, and a reputation for quality over quantity, we deliver a personal, attentive service that ensures your property journey feels simple, transparent, and truly looked after.
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