Is it legalised that once an offer is accepted in Scotland, no 2nd viewing?

JonMitchell

Hi all

I was wondering if I may get some help and advise here from the experts. For the past few weeks, I have been looking at remortgaging my house and investing in a property in Scotland. But at the moment, holding my guns becos of Brexit.....

I like to find out if for properties up in Scotland, is it true and legalised that once an offer is accepted, buyers cannot go and view the property until Missive (exchange of contract) takes place.

All I am doing is to do some measurements to work out some renovation, but I gathered from
the agents up in Scotland that this is not possible. Is there any way for me to insist upon it? I guess many agents are not allowing property viewing due to the fact that they are darn afraid the buyers will pull out.

Any advise is greatly appreciated.

davidmcn

There's nothing "legal" about it, it's just standard practice. You can't insist on anything, because you don't have a contract yet.

JonMitchell

Sorry davidmcn - I think I have used a rather heavy word, ie "insist".

This does, in some way implies, if anything I had missed not noticing may become a problem after I bought the house as the Home Report is just a standard survey where surveyors are possibly touching the surface of things.

So in your words, I can't get round to view the house a 2nd round then?

davidmcn

No, if you want a second viewing before deciding whether to proceed, the time to do that is before you submit an offer. Or if you want an additional survey, you either do that before submitting an offer, or make it an express condition of your offer.

They might agree to you taking measurements, but I wouldn't expect them to do so.

JonMitchell

I did my homework for remortgaging but didn't do enough homework for properties up in Scotland. There was a property there that I saw last week and wanted to go to view it but due to work, I couldn't as I live in South East. The closing date was on this Monday and partly my fault that I did not know the system process in Scotland nor did the solicitor advised me on it. I put in a bid on the assumption that I could go up later to do measurement. My bid won but now I can't view the house, after getting to know it from the sellers agent.

As said, its partly down to me for not doing enough homework for property hunting in Scotland but I would have thought the solicitor who submitted the offer on my behalf could have advised me beforehand about the steps.

Am in a catch 22 situation with this really.

davidmcn

JonMitchell wrote: »

I put in a bid on the assumption that I could go up later to do measurement.

In case I wasn't clear, you can, but you'll (probably) need to conclude your contract first.

JonMitchell

Guess the only option for me is to wait till Exchange of Contract (Missive) is completed.....since no other option is available

AnotherJoe

Why not ask them to send you the measurements so you can get builders lined up? The worst they can say is no.

HappyMJ

JonMitchell wrote: »

Guess the only option for me is to wait till Exchange of Contract (Missive) is completed.....since no other option is available

Even after exchange of contracts you can't necessarily view the property until completion which is when you get possession.

JonMitchell

AnotherJoe - the sellers agent had not been very helpful when I called her after the bid was accepted - her response was "You should have gotten the measurement during viewing...and you should not be calling us anymore, its your solicitor who needs to deal with us" (PS: I was not physically there to view it, therefore ain't blaming anyone for it apart from myself, though the solicitor could have flagged it up to me beforehand as its my first experience with property up in Scotland)

HappyMJ - thanks for the note, will jogged your advise into my notebook.