News In Focus
1 November 2007
Go-ahead for single surveys
The Scottish Government has confirmed its intention to continue with the introduction of the controversial single-seller survey.
The scheme, contained in the Housing (Scotland) Act passed during the previous parliamentary session, makes sellers responsible for providing a survey on the condition of their house. Ministers claimed at the time that this would provide more information on the condition of a house and reduce costs for first-time buyers.
Critics, including many solicitors, argue that single surveys would put up the cost of selling houses and slow down the housing market.
Health and Wellbeing Secretary Nicola Sturgeon, who confirmed the plans in a statement on the current government's housing policy, said the intiative would help people get on the housing ladder.
Graeme Hartley, director of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors, said that now the government had given the go-ahead to the scheme, it could make sure all surveyors were in a position to offer the best possible service to buyers and sellers.
The government also intends to end the tenant's right to buy on new-build council houses and to encourage more building by local authorities, in an effort to ease housing shortages.