What is a home report ?
- Richard
- October 31, 2025
- 1:38 pm
What is a home report ?
What Is a Home Report?
A Home Report is a detailed pack of documents that provides essential information about a property before it’s sold. It’s a legal requirement in Scotland for almost all residential properties being marketed for sale.
The idea is simple: it gives potential buyers like you a clear, honest picture of the property’s condition, value, and energy efficiency before you make an offer — helping you avoid any unpleasant surprises later on.
Home Reports were introduced by the Scottish Government to make the home-buying process more transparent and fairer for everyone involved.
Who Provides the Home Report?
The seller is legally responsible for arranging and paying for the Home Report. It must be carried out by a qualified surveyor who’s registered with the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS).
Once completed, the Home Report must be available to prospective buyers before the property is listed for sale. As a buyer, you can request a copy from the estate agent or seller at any time — and they must provide it (usually by email or download link).
What’s Included in a Home Report
A Home Report is made up of three main sections, each covering different aspects of the property:
- Single Survey
This is the heart of the report. It includes:
- An assessment of the property’s condition, highlighting any areas of concern such as damp, structural issues, or roof problems.
- An independent valuation of what the property is worth on the open market.
- Details of the accommodation layout (number of rooms, measurements, etc.).
- A note of any repairs or maintenance that may be required.
This section helps you understand exactly what you’re buying — and can even help your lender decide how much they’re willing to lend.
- Energy Report (EPC)
This shows how energy-efficient the property is, using a scale from A (most efficient) to G (least efficient). It also includes recommendations on how to improve the home’s energy performance — such as adding insulation or upgrading to double glazing.
For buyers, this is useful for estimating future running costs and spotting opportunities to make your new home more sustainable.
- Property Questionnaire
This part is completed by the seller and provides practical details about the home, including:
- Council Tax band
- Parking arrangements
- Any alterations or building work carried out
- Details about utilities and services (gas, electricity, drainage, etc.)
- Ongoing costs or local factors you should know about
This section gives you a fuller picture of what living in the property will be like day to day.
Why Is a Home Report Important?
For first-time buyers, a Home Report is incredibly valuable because it helps you make an informed decision — before committing to what will likely be your biggest purchase to date.
Here’s why it matters:
- Transparency: You can see the property’s condition and value upfront, reducing the risk of unexpected repair costs later.
- Confidence for your mortgage application: Lenders often refer to the valuation in the Home Report when assessing your mortgage offer.
- Fairer offers: Knowing the official valuation helps you make a realistic offer and avoid overpaying.
- Energy awareness: The EPC helps you plan for future bills and improvements.
In short, it’s a buyer’s best friend — giving you the facts before you take the leap.
How Recent Should A Home Report Be?
A Home Report should be no more than 12 weeks old when the property first goes on the market. However, if a property has been listed for a while, the surveyor may need to update or “refresh” the valuation before you buy — especially if the market has changed or repairs have been made.
How We Can Help
We’ll:
✅ Review your current mortgage and financial situation.
✅ Search the market for the most competitive deals.
✅ Manage the process from start to finish, making it simple and stress-free.
Don’t Wait – Act Today
If your fixed-rate mortgage is coming to an end, don’t delay. The sooner you start exploring your options, the more money you’ll save in the long run.
Contact us today for personalised advice and let us help you secure your next great mortgage deal.
