The study was to review if stated policy objectives were being met, the content of the Home Report and its effect on the buying and selling process.

The recommendations include providing house sellers with more information on their options when commissioning a Home Report which Onesurvey believes is extremely important to the house seller and buyer. “Since the introduction of Home Reports we have seen companies south of the Border coming into Scotland offering cheap and below standard reports. The consumer has no idea that the appointed surveyors are unlikely to be on major lender panels or, more importantly, have any local knowledge” said Lesley Sorridimi of Onesurvey. Sorridimi went on “To use a surveyor who does not know your market and may or may not have suitable professional indemnity insurance is taking a risk that may backfire in the long term.”

The Report also recommends that there should be further guidance for house sellers on completing the Property Questionnaire, a document within the Home Report that must be completed by the seller. Onesurvey considers working with selling agents to improve this process is imperative and will speak to every seller to ensure they understand what they need to do and provide them with a variety of options in which to do it.

The Home Report Regulation has been in effect since December 2008 and is now a normal part of the house buying and selling process and it is now time to look at how this can be improved and built upon to help the consumer.

The Scottish Government Interim Review of the Home Report can be accessed at http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Publications/2010/09/27113029/0

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About One Survey Ltd

Onesurvey is an independent organisation working with selling agents, surveyors and leading edge technology to provide a Home Report solution to the property market. With local surveyors all over Scotland we make sure that the Single Survey and valuation are the best independent information that is available. Onesurvey offers the simplest, most flexible system that automates most of the processes and we place quality and excellent customer care among our core values.