Latest Expert Witness News

Solicitors question debut of single seller surveys

On the first day of compulsory "single seller surveys" property experts are urging the Government to carry out an early review of the controversial system, amid fears of its impact on the current housing market.

From today, anyone selling their home must pay for a "home report" which includes a condition report and valuation. This report is made available to all prospective buyers.

Single seller surveys were originally proposed as a way of ending the situation whereby several would-be buyers paid for separate surveys of the same property when only one could end up buying the house.

Many Solicitors and Estate Agents say that the reports, which could cost between £500 and £700 for an average property, are an unnecessary extra expense which will put sellers off, leading to fewer houses being sold.

It is also still unclear for how long a report is valid, and what thebe the cost to update a report. Many solicitors and estate agents, opposed the new system when it was first proposed.

back