Single Surveys on the Near Horizon
WITHIN THE NEXT TWO YEARS the Scottish Executive looks set to introduce single surveys for properties, following pilot schemes that were conducted during the past year.
This announcement was made recently by Communities Minister Malcolm Chisholm but it has met with a mixed response.
During 2004, Dundee was one of four cities in Scotland chosen to conduct pilot schemes, and inputs were made to the process by solicitors, chartered surveyors and mortgage lenders. But the Tayside Solicitors Property Centre has reported very little take-up from sellers using the Whitehall Crescent outlet to market their homes.
The number of single surveys commissioned locally was very low and that level of indifference has been reflected across the country, with the continuing pilot attracting only 74 responses over a six-month period.
The Scottish Executive, however, seems determined to press on with what it maintains will be a revolution in house-buying north of the border. As a result, by 2007 every seller in the country can expect to be forced to instruct a comprehensive survey of a home going on the market.
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Media reports highlighting concerns have been estimating that it could cost a seller up to £700 for the full property survey which will be made available to would-be buyers.
Concerns have been expressed that the proposed changes will slow down the sales process and introduce English practices which are alien to Scotland.
The Scottish Executive estimates that around £9 million is spent on surveys in Scotland each year which don’t culminate in a sale and, naturally, that’s frustrating for potential buyers who miss out - invariably because they have been outbid by another interested party. But it’s difficult to see how all prospective buyers are going to be happy with a survey commissioned by the seller. ‘
The single survey will place an approximate value on the property under review, and provide buyers with a price guide. The traditional ‘offers over’ system will, however, still remain in place.
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