LAW SOCIETY OF SCOTLAND MEMBERS SUPPORT LAW AGENTS’ CALL TO DELAY HOME REPORTS
A motion calling for the Scottish Government to delay the introduction of Home Reports was passed by members of the Law Society of Scotland at its SGM on Friday September 26.
The motion proposed by the Scottish Law Agents Society was:
“The Special General Meeting of 26th September 2008 calls upon the Law
Society of Scotland to request again the Scottish Government to enact
provisions which postpone the coming into effect of the Housing (Scotland)
Act 2006 (Prescribed Documents) Regulations 2008 and in particular the
compulsory requirement for the production of Home Reports in connection
with house sales so that the same shall not take effect until at least two years
after 1st December 2008, apart from the energy efficiency report.”
The motion was supported by 2,052 solicitors, with 52 voting against.
Janette Wilson, convener of the Society’s conveyancing committee said: “The Society recently asked the Scottish Government to postpone the introduction of Home Reports from December 1 because of our concerns for the house buying and selling public in light of the current economic climate. We believe that change at a difficult time in the property market could cause even further slowdown.
“The Society has had reservations about the single survey being included as part of the Home Report pack from the outset. We have a number of concerns, including the survey’s shelf life. Any property survey may not be viable after a few weeks and sellers may have to buy further surveys to ensure that the report is still relevant. We also envisage that buyers may have to commission their own surveys to satisfy lenders. This is increasingly likely during a downturn or in those areas of the country where properties take longer to sell.
“Despite the Society’s concern, we are doing everything we can to prepare Scottish solicitors for the arrival of Home Reports, including organising roadshows and seminars to brief them on what they will be required to know.”
The Society does not believe a compulsory single survey will benefit home sellers or buyers. Introducing it as part of the Home Report could have a detrimental impact on people who are struggling to keep up payments and are forced into selling their homes, and first time sellers.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION: Please contact Suzy Powell on 0131 476 8115 / 07712 488875 or at suzypowell@lawscot.org.uk
