Estate agency, Edinburgh Residential, believes that Home Information Packs (HIPs) are better suited to the English residential market than the Scottish market.

Ken Mitchell, chairman of Edinburgh Residential, said that single survey schemes would not be necessary in a Scottish property market that is “totally different to that in England”. Mitchell believes that solicitors in Scotland act as both estate agents and legal advisors. This creates an environment that is not sales driven as they are heavily regulated by the law societies of Scotland, according to Mitchell.

“The process is driven by lawyers and surveyors, so Scots are quite comfortable that the property is in good order and that it’s not in breach of any regulations”, said Mitchell.

HIPs informs prospective buyers about their new homes and is supplied by the seller. It is an independent report composed of legal documents and surveys, as well as an energy efficiency study.