Home Reports

PCA Advice on Scottish Home Report Plans

The trade body representing the building preservation industry in Scotland is urging homeowners to seek professional advice when obtaining a survey before attempting to sell their homes.

The Scottish Government has confirmed it will introduce the Home Report from December 1, 2008.

Under the scheme, sellers will need to provide a Home Report to prospective buyers.

A Home Report consists of three documents – a Single Survey and Energy Report and a Property Questionnaire completed by the seller of the house. 

The Property Care Association (PCA) – formerly the BWPDA - is advising buyers and sellers that all issues involving potential problems with dampness or rotting woodwork should be explored by an accredited specialist when a survey is carried out.

Yasmin Chopin, Chief Executive of the PCA, said:
“In Scotland it will be a requirement for potential purchasers to be given all the necessary information about the home they may want to buy.

“The onus to provide a survey falls on the seller. But experts believe that many potential purchasers will still want to carry-out their own research.

“The PCA would advise any buyer or seller to take a full account of any damp or rot issues such as rising damp, woodworm, wet or dry rot and damp when getting a survey done.

“All PCA members offer a professional service providing peace of mind for customers.

“Furthermore, PCA member companies are carefully vetted and the subject of regular rigorous audits by the association’s team of regional support officers.”

The PCA is a member of TrustMark the scheme supported by Government, to help property owners find reliable and trustworthy tradespeople to make home improvements.

It was previously part of the long established BWPDA – the British Wood Preserving and Damp-proofing Association - before becoming an independent association, along with the Wood Protection Association in 2006. The new Associations were created to concentrate on their own areas of expertise – namely for the Property Care Association damp proofing, structural waterproofing and structural maintenance.

PCA contractors are authorised to use the Association’s logo, and this can be seen in directories such as Yellow Pages, newspapers and other publications for identification to potential customers.

As well as delivering a trusted repair procedure, PCA members are able to carry out specialist surveys as part of the house-buying procedure.

To find a PCA member in Scotland, homeowners can log onto the association’s website www.property-care.org and select the ‘Find A Member’ service.

Further details on Home Reports are available from: www.homereportscotland.gov.uk