A DUNDEE solicitor has claimed the controversial single seller survey system will damage the Scottish economy if introduced as planned in December.

Lindsay Darroch, partner and head of Blackadders Property Services, gave the warning last night as his firm continued preparing for the changes, which will see all sellers commission a survey before putting their house on the market.

He told The Courier the move “could have serious consequences for house prices and the Scottish economy.”

His view is in contrast with another top Dundee solicitor, Professor Stewart Brymer, of Thorntons Law LLP, who recently backed the plans.

When the legislation is introduced on December 1 all sellers will be required to shell out for a survey prior to putting their house on the market.

It will form part of a purchaser’s information pack, which will also include an energy report and a questionnaire containing key information such as council tax band, parking facilities, and factoring arrangements.

Mr Darroch estimates the cost of preparing a pack could be as much as £600.

A pilot scheme, which invited sellers to voluntarily pay for a survey, was a dismal failure when tested in Dundee, Glasgow, Edinburgh and Inverness. Only 74 sellers took part, four of them from Dundee.

“I was not surprised when the pilot scheme failed so dramatically two years ago…

“My view is that rather than eliminate multiple surveys it will in fact encourage them as no purchaser’s solicitor will feel comfortable relying on the seller’s survey in relation to the valuation of property.”

If the scheme does slow down the housing market Mr Darroch fears this could have an knock-on effect on the whole Scottish economy.

But he added that he did believe some elements of the new Purchaser Information Pack were a good idea.

“We agree wholeheartedly with the concept of a questionnaire completed before a property goes on the market,” he said.

“In fact we have done this for a number of years anyway along with ordering up title deeds from lenders at the earliest opportunity so any title issues can be dealt with before an offer is received.”