The Law Society has its feathers ruffled over Home Reports .. calling for a review of the system with a view to abandoning Home Reports, due to member legal firms being a tad upset over the lost business …
Alex Neil, Communities Minister however, said Home Reports are here to stay … (phew – Ed)
The Law Society’s release :
Society calls for full review of Home Reports
The Law Society of Scotland is calling for the Scottish Government to examine whether Home Reports should be suspended or even abandoned as part of an interim review following their introduction in December 2008.
Ross MacKay, of the Law Society's Conveyancing Committee, said: "The Society has consistently backed proposals for property buyers to have more and better information about their prospective purchases but voiced strong concerns about the inclusion of a compulsory single survey in Home Report packs, which are intended to help to improve housing stock in Scotland as well as better inform housebuyers.
"Now that Home Reports are a reality, we think the best way forward is to ensure that the new system is properly reviewed, and that the review can distinguish the effects from the recession from the effects of introducing the Home Report as far as possible. We are currently pressing the government to widen the scope of its interim review, which is intended to consider minor changes to the regulations, to include the options of suspending or abandoning Home Reports or at least the compulsory single survey.
"Practitioners are working to ensure they protect the interests of clients, whether buying or selling, in these difficult times.
"We are also asking conveyancing solicitors for feedback on their experience of Home Reports so far - is it a useful marketing tool or is it burdensome and discouraging sellers' entry to the market? We’d like our members to provide any figures for the number of reports that have been requested and follow up sales.
The Society's conveyancing committee has also had discussions with the Scottish Law Agents Society and supports their plan to monitor the new system and will be approaching the Solicitor Property Centres for input."
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