Home report
The Housing (Scotland) Act 2006 requires that when a house is marketed for sale in Scotland, certain documents have to be made available.
A home report, is a requirement for the sale of houses in Scotland, and must be made available by the vendor on request to prospective buyers.
A Home Report includes of three documents:
- A 'Single Survey' which provides an assessment of the condition of the home, a valuation and an accessibility audit.
- An 'Energy Report' which provides an assessment of the energy efficiency of the home and its environmental impact, and recommends ways to improve its energy efficiency.
- A 'Property Questionnaire' which is completed by the seller of the home and provides information such as Council Tax banding and factoring costs that will be useful to buyers.
Home Reports are intended to reduce the need for multiple prospective purchasers to obtain their own surveys of properties they are considering buying. They should also reduce the number of aborted sales as it provides survey information up front.
However, there may be some suspicion that as the as the Home Report is provided by the vendor, it may not be impartial. In addition there is no legal requirement to update the Home Report provided the house remains on the market. As a consequence, purchasers may still wish to obtain their own survey.
There is no charge to prospective purchasers for the Home Report, although the vendor may make a reasonable charge to cover costs of copying and postage. Buyers should receive a Home Report within nine days of requesting it.
There are some exceptions to the requirement to provided a Home Report, including new housing, mixed sales and houses that have been converted, but even where a property does not require a Home Report, the seller still needs to obtain an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) setting out the energy efficiency rating of the home.
Home Reports are similar to Home Information Packs (HIPs), which the UK government announced would be phased in from August 2007 in England and Wales. However, this was watered down to remove the requirement for a survey as part of a HIP, and in 2010 HIPs were scrapped altogether.
[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings Wiki
- Energy Performance Certificate
- Building survey.
- Condition Report.
- Ecological survey.
- Ground investigation.
- Home information pack HIP.
- Homebuyer Report.
- Site appraisals.
- Site surveys.
- Soil survey.
- Surveyor.
- Vendor survey.
External references.
Featured articles and news
How big is the problem and what can we do to mitigate the effects?
Overheating guidance and tools for building designers
A number of cool guides to help with the heat.
The UK's Modern Industrial Strategy: A 10 year plan
Previous consultation criticism, current key elements and general support with some persisting reservations.
Building Safety Regulator reforms
New roles, new staff and a new fast track service pave the way for a single construction regulator.
Architectural Technologist CPDs and Communications
CIAT CPD… and how you can do it!
Cooling centres and cool spaces
Managing extreme heat in cities by directing the public to places for heat stress relief and water sources.
Winter gardens: A brief history and warm variations
Extending the season with glass in different forms and terms.
Restoring Great Yarmouth's Winter Gardens
Transforming one of the least sustainable constructions imaginable.
Construction Skills Mission Board launch sector drive
Newly formed government and industry collaboration set strategy for recruiting an additional 100,000 construction workers a year.
New Architects Code comes into effect in September 2025
ARB Architects Code of Conduct and Practice available with ongoing consultation regarding guidance.
Welsh Skills Body (Medr) launches ambitious plan
The new skills body brings together funding and regulation of tertiary education and research for the devolved nation.
Paul Gandy FCIOB announced as next CIOB President
Former Tilbury Douglas CEO takes helm.
UK Infrastructure: A 10 Year Strategy. In brief with reactions
With the National Infrastructure and Service Transformation Authority (NISTA).
Ebenezer Howard: inventor of the garden city. Book review.
The Grenfell Tower fire, eight years on
A time to pause and reflect as Dubai tower block fire reported just before anniversary.
Airtightness Topic Guide BSRIA TG 27/2025
Explaining the basics of airtightness, what it is, why it's important, when it's required and how it's carried out.
Construction contract awards hit lowest point of 2025
Plummeting for second consecutive month, intensifying concerns for housing and infrastructure goals.
Understanding Mental Health in the Built Environment 2025
Examining the state of mental health in construction, shedding light on levels of stress, anxiety and depression.