Conveyancing - First time buyer

Scottish property terms explained

5 min read

Understand key Scottish property terms with our glossary. From home report to missives and disposition, learn the language of buying and selling in Scotland.

  • Arti Dhamu, Move Specialist at My Home Move Conveyancing
    Arti Dhamu

    Move Specialist

    Updated on

    Published

picturesque village on the scottish borders

Buying a home in Scotland comes with its own set of challenges, including its own property jargon. Below we take a look at some of the terms you're likely to encounter when buying or selling property in Scotland.

Home report

The equivalent of a survey in the English property market. The Home Report is a legal requirement that must be available before for almost all properties in Scotland are put on the market, with the only exception being for New Build homes. It is the seller's responsibility to organise and pay for. The Home Report is made up of three documents:

  • Single Survey: A detailed report carried out by a professional surveyor that assesses the condition and market value of the property.

  • Energy Report: Prepared by the surveyor, reporting on the energy performance of the property, including the energy efficiency rating (EPC) and environment impact assessment.

  • Property Questionnaire: Filled out by the seller, giving useful additional information about the property such as parking agreements, property alterations, and council tax banding.

Find out more about how to sell a house in Scotland.

Offer over/ fixed price/ guide price

The main pricing methods used when selling property in Scotland.

  • Offers over: The property is marketed at a minimum price, with the expectation that buyers will bid higher. Commonly used to encourage competitive bidding.

  • Fixed price: The seller sets a specific price, and the first buyer to offer that amount usually secures the property.

  • Guide price: An indication figure showing the property’s likely value, often used at auction.

Property factor

A property manager who is appointed to manage the shared areas of a flat or building, such as stairwells, gardens, and other communal spaces.

Noting interest

A formal indication to the seller’s solicitor that a buyer is seriously interested in a property. If enough people submit notes of interest, the seller may set a closing date.

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Closing date

A deadline set by the seller by which all offers must be submitted, usually when multiple buyers are interested in a property. All offers submitted by the closing date are considered before the seller chooses which to accept.

Offer

A formal offer made by the buyer and submitted through their solicitor to the seller’s solicitor.

Qualified acceptance

The seller’s solicitor’s response to an offer, agreeing to it subject to certain conditions. This starts the negotiation and Missives process.

Missives

A series of formal letters exchanged between the buyer’s and seller's solicitors that set out the terms of the sale to form the contract. Once all conditions have been agreed, the Missives are ‘concluded’ and the contract becomes legally binding.

Conclusion of missives

The point at which the Missives are fully agreed and signed by both buyer and seller, making the property transaction legally binding. This is the Scottish equivalent of exchanging contracts in England.

Standard clauses

A set of pre-agreed conditions that are included in most Scottish property contracts, covering things such as the Date of Entry, fixtures and fittings, and insurance.

Standard security

The Scottish legal term for a mortgage.

Land and Buildings Transaction Tax (LBTT)

The equivalent of English Stamp Duty Land Tax (SDLT). Paid to Revenue Scotland on property purchases over a certain threshold.

Check how much Land and Buildings Transaction Tax you would have to pay on a Scottish property purchase using our stamp duty calculator below.

Stamp Duty Calculator

The stamp duty calculator gives an indication of the stamp duty rates for freehold residential property purchases.

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Advance notice

A legal notice submitted to the Registers of Scotland before completion. It protects the buyer’s interest while the property ownership is being updated.

Disposition

The legal document that transfers ownership of a property from the seller to the buyer. It is signed at completion and submitted by the buyer’s solicitor to the Registers of Scotland. In England, this is called the title deeds.

Registers of Scotland

The government body that keeps public records of land and property ownership in Scotland.

Date of entry

The agreed date on which the buyer becomes the legal owner of the property. It is the Scottish equivalent of a completion date in England.

Settlement

The process on the Date of Entry where the buyer’s solicitor transfers funds to the seller’s solicitor, the seller’s solicitor hands over the Disposition, and the buyer gets the keys.

Buying a house in Scotland

Read our guide to discover the key steps, legal process, and expert tips.

street of houses in Scotland

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