Page 38 - ESPC Magazine - June 2021

EXPERT ADVICE

HAVE HOME REPORTS IMPROVED
QUALITY OF HOUSING STOCK?

Paul Clancy, Property Director at Clancys Solicitors and Estate Agents, discusses if
Home Reports have helped improve the quality of housing stock.

Since December 2008 it has been mandatory now we are over 12 years in, can we say we
for a seller to provide a Home Report for a have seen an improvement in the quality of
residential property being sold on the open our housing stock?
market. Prior to 2008 it was the responsibility
of the purchaser to obtain their own survey In traditional tenements and shared
report. This would typically happen following buildings, it can be argued housing
an offer being accepted or agreed in condition has worsened. Particularly
principle. The Home Report was introduced in within Edinburgh tenements despite the
order to provide purchasers a more informed Introduction of Tenement Management
decision at the stage of making an offer and Schemes to regulate repairs by the
gaining more knowledge on the condition of Tenement (Scotland) Act 2004, the majority
the property. of traditional tenements within Edinburgh
do not have an appointed Property Factor
The taskforce in charge of the Home Report’s or Residents Association.
introduction also had the objective of
improving the quality of our housing stock Common repairs especially those of a
and preserving our heritage. Whilst few can significant nature such as roof renewal or
argue the Home Report has achieved the upgrading will typically take years to agree
objective of raising conditional awareness, and complete the works, resulting in further
deterioration, necessitating additional repairs
and cost.

Whilst the title deeds will typically be clear on
responsibility and common repair obligation
they often provide little or no support in
respect of coordinating the repair with
pre-agreed standards.

Are traditional tenement title conditions
(burdens) fit for modern day purpose? Do
you live in a stair where you have problems
with coordinating repairs? Or do you live in a
tenement where there is a resident’s system
in place, and it works well?

Find out more about Clancys at
clancys-solicitors.co.uk or call the team on
0131 253 2998.

38 ESPC.COM