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Jumping into the Scottish property market can feel like stepping onto a new playing field—one where everyone seems to know the rules except you. Suddenly, you’re surrounded by talk of “missives,” “LBTT,” and “closing dates,” and it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. But understanding this unique property vocabulary is your secret weapon. Whether you’re buying your first flat in Airdrie or selling a family home in Baillieston, knowing the lingo puts you firmly in control. Let’s break down the most important Scottish property terms so you can move forward with a bit more confidence and clarity.
Solicitor
A solicitor is a qualified lawyer who handles all the legal paperwork when you buy or sell a home in Scotland. They prepare contracts, manage money transfers, check legal details, and make sure the property changes hands correctly. You need a solicitor for every property transaction in Scotland—they protect your interests and guide you through the process
Missives
The series of formal letters exchanged between solicitors that form the contract for sale. Think of this as the legal handshake that starts the process.
Note of Interest
This is a way for a potential buyer (through their solicitor) to notify the seller’s estate agent that they are interested in a property and want to be kept informed about any developments, such as if a closing date is set or if there are changes to the sale. A note of interest does not commit you to buying the property and is not legally binding. It simply ensures you’ll be notified if and when it’s time to submit an offer, especially if there are multiple interested parties..
Closing Date
A deadline for submitting offers, usually set when there’s strong interest in a property.
Formal Offer
A written offer submitted through solicitors. This is the official way to kick off a property purchase in Scotland, and once accepted, it becomes legally binding.
Conditional Offer
An offer that comes with specific conditions attached—like securing a mortgage or getting a satisfactory survey. Most buyers use these to protect themselves.
Qualified Acceptance
If the seller accepts your offer but wants to tweak some terms, this is called a qualified acceptance. It’s basically a counter-offer and not yet a binding agreement.
Conclusion of Missives
The pivotal moment when all terms are agreed and the contract becomes legally binding. After this, pulling out can mean serious financial penalties.
Withdrawal of Offer
Buyers can withdraw their offer, but only before it’s accepted. Once accepted, you’re on the legal hook.
Breach of Contract
If either party fails to meet their obligations after the missives are concluded, that’s a breach of contract—potentially leading to costly penalties or legal action.
Disposition
The legal document that transfers ownership from the seller to the buyer.
Settlement
The completion date when money changes hands and the property officially changes ownership.
Title Deeds
Documents proving who owns the property and outlining any restrictions or obligations (known as burdens).
Conveyancing
Conveyancing is the legal process that transfers ownership of a property from the seller to the buyer. This involves checking the property’s legal history, preparing contracts, handling money transfers, and registering the new ownership with the authorities. A qualified solicitor must handle your conveyancing to ensure everything is done correctly and legally, protecting you from potential problems down the line.
Date of Entry
The agreed date when the buyer takes possession, becomes responsible for insurance and maintenance, and finally gets the keys.
Property Chain
Property Chain is when a group of people are all buying and selling homes at the same time, and each person’s move depends on everyone else’s transaction going through. For example, you’re selling your house to buy a new one, but the person you’re buying from also needs to sell their current home to someone else—creating a “chain” where if one deal falls through, it affects everyone. While property chains are less common in Scotland due to the earlier legal commitment through missives, they can still happen and potentially cause delays or complications if any link in the chain breaks.
Estate agent
A property professional who helps you sell or buy a home. They handle valuing your property, marketing it, arranging viewings, and negotiating offers between buyers and sellers. Many Scottish estate agents are also qualified solicitors, which means they can manage both the legal and marketing sides of the sale, making the process easier and more efficient for you.
Surveyor
The professional who inspects and values properties, prepares the Single Survey, and conducts mortgage valuations.
Home Report
A legally required pack for property sales in Scotland, including a Single Survey, Energy Report, and Property Questionnaire.
Single Survey
A detailed inspection and valuation of the property’s condition, carried out by a qualified surveyor. It also includes the official valuation of the property, which is a key figure for both buyers and mortgage lenders. This survey highlights any urgent repairs needed and gives an honest assessment of the home’s overall state.
Energy Performance Certificate (EPC)
An Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) shows how energy efficient a property is, rating it from A (most efficient) to G (least efficient). The certificate helps buyers compare running costs and spot ways to save on energy bills.
Property Questionnaire
Completed by the seller, this form provides practical information about the property, such as council tax band, alterations, utility suppliers, and details about parking or shared areas. The questionnaire helps buyers get a fuller picture of what living in the property will be like.
Valuation
A formal estimate of the property’s market value, often included in the Home Report and used by mortgage lenders.
Appraisal
A less formal, initial estimate of value—sometimes used interchangeably with valuation.
Mortgage Valuation
A basic check done for the lender to confirm the property’s value as security for the loan. Not as detailed as a full survey.
Asking Price
The advertised price for the property. In Scotland, this is often listed as “offers over.”
Home Report Value
The official valuation of the property provided in the Home Report, which often influences the asking price and what buyers are willing to offer.
Offers Over
A pricing strategy inviting buyers to bid above the stated asking price.
Fixed Price
The seller will accept the first offer at this price—no bidding wars.
Offers Around
Suggests some flexibility near the stated price.
Closing Date Offer
A sealed bid submitted by the closing date—common in competitive markets.
Under Offer
When a seller has accepted an offer from a buyer, but the sale hasn’t been legally completed yet. The property is usually taken off the market at this stage.
Tenure
Tenure means the legal way you hold or occupy a property. In Scotland, this is usually either owning the property (sometimes called “freehold”) or renting it from someone else (tenancy). Knowing your tenure is important because it affects your rights and responsibilities as a homeowner or tenant.
Detached, Semi-Detached, Terraced, Flat
Standard property types you’ll see across Scotland.
Detached houses stand alone, offering the most privacy and outdoor space, but they’re usually the most expensive to buy and maintain.
Semi-detached houses share one wall with a neighbour and strike a balance between privacy and affordability, often including a private garden.
Terraced houses are joined on both sides to other homes in a row, making them more affordable and common in cities, though they offer less privacy and outdoor space.
Flats (or apartments) are self-contained units within a larger building, sharing communal areas, and tend to be the most affordable option—ideal for singles or small families.
Feu
An old term for land ownership, still found in some title deeds.
Factor
A factor is a property manager hired to look after communal areas in buildings with multiple owners, like tenements or flats. They organise repairs, maintenance, and cleaning, and collect payments from owners to cover these costs. Factors must be registered with the Scottish Property Factor Register and provide clear information about their services and fees.
Burdens
Burdens are legal obligations or restrictions attached to a property, such as rules about shared maintenance or limits on what you can build. They are written into the title deeds and stay with the property when it is sold. Understanding your burdens is important, as they affect your rights and responsibilities as an owner.
Common Repairs
Common repairs are maintenance tasks for shared parts of a building, like the roof, stairwell, or gutters, which all owners must pay for. In Scotland, flat owners are jointly responsible for organising and funding these repairs. Title deeds or a factor usually set out how costs are shared.
Right of Access
A right of access is a legal right for someone to cross or use part of your property, often for maintenance or to reach another property. This right is usually detailed in the title deeds. It stays in place even if the property changes ownership.
Armed with this Scottish property dictionary, you’re no longer at the mercy of confusing jargon or intimidating legal speak. Your solicitor and estate agent are there to help, but now you can walk into those meetings speaking their language. Bookmark this guide, share it with friends navigating their own property journey, and remember—the most expensive question is the one you don’t ask.
Ready to put your new knowledge to work? Get in touch with the Kirkland Team. Your dream home (or successful sale) is waiting.
